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Providing an opportunity for youth to integrate learning in the workplace with academic learning in the classroom. flat



**Overview** Co-operative Education 120 is a well-established school-to-work transition program offered in schools throughout New Brunswick. Co-operative Education offers students the opportunity to develop employability skills and explore career options through participation in the community. It also helps to establish a measure of relevancy for in-school learning. Co- operative Education 120 is recognized by the NB Community College system as related experience for entry criteria and is accepted by the University of New Brunswick as an admissions elective. The importance of Co-operative Education becomes more apparent as we recognize the increasing numbers (70%) of high school students that choose not to go on to post-secondary education.

=Objectives = =Groups Served =
 * Provide students with an opportunity to gain knowledge and work experience in a career area of their choice.
 * Assist students in developing and expanding employability skills.
 * Foster positive student expectations and attitudes toward self, others, school and work.
 * Develop awareness of better accessibility to students in various occupations.
 * Encourage co-operation between the business community and educational system.
 * Provide employers with a talent pool of trained and prepared potential employees.
 * Students, employers, parents, schools, community colleges and universities.

**The Program Model** Students are initially exposed to career exploration through the Comprehensive Guidance curriculum during Grades 8 through 10. Students may apply to take Co-operative Education 120 in Grades 11 or 12 and are selected at the school level based on attendance, attitude, and aptitude for their career exploration choice. Students are required to submit resumes and covering letters to employers during an interview process arranged by the Co-Operative Education Facilitators. Employers are given the final decision in the hiring of the student. This program is delivered in three components. It helps to develop employability skills, supports the career aspirations of the students, and provides employers with opportunities to participate in the educational process and contribute to training the workforce of the future. The program allows students to participate in a regular school program while at the same time developing employability skills through participation in 40-55 hours of in-school instruction and 125 — 195 hours of non-paid work experience. =<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">Implementation of Program = <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Once students are selected to the program, they will participate in a three-week (1/2 days) in-school, pre-employment component before going to the work place. Here students will have an opportunity to practice their communication skills, develop an understanding of workplace health and safety issues, develop interpersonal skills, improve personal management and teamwork skills, and many other skills required to be successful in the "work world". <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">While students are at the work site, their progress will be governed by a training plan, developed jointly with the workplace supervisor and monitoring teacher. This plan will reflect the objectives and specific skill development expected by the employer for the duration of the program.

=<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">Keys to Success = <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Each school district must establish procedures and policies related to implementation, pre-employment component, placement, monitoring, reflective learning, evaluation and other administrative tasks that are related to the efficient management of Co-operative Education. These policies and procedures must be established within the framework of the policy document of the New Brunswick Department of Education and should reflect the specific needs and circumstances for effective delivery of the program within the school district. <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Where more than one school operates a school-to-work transition program within the same district, provisions must be made for placement co-ordination and consistency in policies and procedures. <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In geographical areas where more than one school district is operating school to work transition programs, the districts involved should develop mechanisms that will ensure regular and consistent co-operation and communication among transition personnel. This is essential if the educational community is to present a unified message to the community. <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The sharing of resources and of resource personnel between school districts is strongly encouraged to ensure the effective delivery of school-to-work transition programs. Every school district should also regularly communicate with other organizations to increase community support for school-to-work transition programs.

=<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">Greatest Challenge = <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The greatest challenge to ensuring the success of **__all__** school to work transition programs is to increase the number of employers participating and maintain the participation of those we currently partner with. As well, understanding and commitment not only from employers, parents and students but from our high school administrators and guidance personnel of the role of school-to-work programs and the impact it has for students on their future career plans and decisions is critical if these programs are to succeed.

=Contact Information=

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">** Derek Washburn – Oromocto High School Co-op Education Teacher ** <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Phone: 506 357-4015 <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Email: <span style="background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; cursor: pointer; padding-right: 10px;">derek.washburn@nbed.nb.ca

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">** School District **** 17 Co-Operative Education Program Coordinator ** <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Ellen Pottle <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Phone: 506 357-4010 <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Fax: 506 357-4011 <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> Email: <span style="background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; color: #333399; cursor: pointer; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; padding-right: 10px;">ellen.pottle@gnb.ca

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