Co-Operative Education

The Co-Op Program provides students with opportunities to explore career interests and apply both academic and technical skills learned in the classroom in a real job setting.

Prerequisite: To qualify for Co-Op programs, a student must:

1. Be recommended by his/her technical program instructor and co-op coordinator;
2. Satisfy work readiness skill competencies; and
3. Complete one-year of technical program instruction (except for technical program-based “Co-op Rotations”.

Please fill out our online contact form, if you would like to learn more about our co-op programs.

Co-Op experiences available to students include:

In order to more clearly define career goals, students may job shadow a person in a specific occupation. Typically, this is a one-time observation providing an overview of the tasks involved in a specific job description. This program is non-graduation credit experience.


This program, following the Fair Labor Standards Act guidelines, allows students to do a 30-hour, non-paid work experience at a site related to a student’s career interests. Students observe and/or perform basic tasks according to a training plan developed by the site supervisor and the CDC. This enables students to make better career decisions. This program is primarily non-graduation credit experience.


This is a paid work experience at a site related to the student’s technical program. Local partners in business and industry work with the CDC to provide opportunities for students to experience the world of work. Students may earn graduation credit for this program.


This is a paid work experience in a career area not offered by the CDC. All technical training is provided by the employer with evaluations and related instruction provided by the CDC. Students may earn graduation credit for this program.


The Student Apprenticeship program provides opportunities for students who are committed to a specific career. It involves a mentor from industry working with the state-approved competencies, related applied academics and post-secondary education. Students may earn graduation credit for this program.