Cooperative Education
Co‑operative Education connects classroom learning with supervised workplace experience. The Award complements Co‑op by offering a structured way for students to set goals, reflect on growth, and document skill development over time. It supports experiential learning and employability skills while remaining separate from course assessment and credit requirements.
Building your Award:
Find classroom examples to support activity planning
Class activities you can count:
Co-op placement tasks and responsibilities, workplace skill practice (e.g., communication, problem solving, organization), supervisor feedback, goal setting, reflection activities, learning plans, portfolio or resume evidence, and progress check-in’s with your teacher or placement supervisor.
Example SMART Goal:
During my Co-op placement, I will improve my workplace skills (such as communication, teamwork, and time management) by actively practicing them during my placement each week. I will spend at least 1 hour per week focusing on skill development, track my progress through feedback from my supervisor or teacher, and reflect weekly on what improved and what I will work on next.
Example Assessor:
Co-op Teacher or Placement Supervisor
Example log for ORB:
Today at my Co-op placement, I worked on improving my communication skills by asking clearer questions before starting tasks. My supervisor gave feedback that I needed less clarification than earlier in the placement. I improved by being more confident when speaking up. Next week, I will focus on giving updates without being prompted and reflecting on how that changes my independence at work.
Class activities you can count:
Active movement connected to your Co-operative experience, such as standing or walking for extended periods, lifting or carrying items safely, wrokplace movement, routines, active commuting to and from placement (walking or cycling), job-related physical tasks, stretching or conditioning to support your placement, and fitness activities that help you stay healthy and energized for work.
Example SMART Goal:
During my Co-op placement, I will improve my physical fitness and stamina to support my work by completing at least 1 hour per week of physical activity (such as walking, cycling, stretching, or strength exercises). I will track my progress weekly and reflect on how my fitness improves my energy, focus, and ability to meet the physical demands of my placement.
Example Assessor:
Co-op Teacher, Placement Supervisor, or Approved Adult
Example log for ORB:
This week I focused on improving my stamina by walking for 30 minutes after my Co-op shifts and stretching to reduce soreness. I noticed I felt less tired during longer standing tasks at my placement compared to earlier weeks. Next week, I will add light strength exercises to help with lifting and continue tracking how my energy improves.
Class activities you can count:
Unpaid volunteer roles completed outside of Co‑op placement time, such as helping with community programs, mentoring, supporting school initiatives, assisting non‑profit organizations, or environmental service. Reflection focuses on service impact, responsibility, and growth over time.
Example SMART Goal:
While enrolled in Co‑op, I will complete at least 13 hours of unpaid volunteer service outside my placement time. I will volunteer in a consistent role, reflect weekly on how I supported others, and focus on improving one skill such as communication, reliability, or initiative.
Example Assessor:
Volunteer Supervisor or Co‑op Teacher
Example log for ORB:
This week, I volunteered outside of my Co‑op hours by helping with a community program. I improved by being more confident when interacting with others and completing tasks independently. My supervisor noted that I was reliable and helpful. Next week, I will focus on anticipating needs and asking for feedback so I can improve my
General activity: plan a local “career exploration journey” where the team visits community sites and completes a learning purpose (interviews, observations, notes).
Team SMART goal: Over our overnight journey, we will strengthen teamwork and communication by planning a route, completing at least four structured conversations with community members with different jobs, and completing a group debrief that connects learning to career pathways and next steps.
Supervisor/Assessor: teacher and approved adult support.
Group debrief example: We improved our questions by focusing on training steps and daily tasks, not just job titles. We rotated roles and stayed aligned to our plan. Next time we would build in more time and prepare a backup option.
