Student Handbook
Co-Op Program
Co-op is a program for students who are recommended to participate in supervised work-based learning experiences with regional employers. Every Co-op is customized to match a student’s career interests and specified learning objectives. The goal of the Co-op Program is to provide students with opportunities to:
- Explore career interests in a real job setting;
- Strengthen academic and technical skills;
- Develop work readiness skills;
- Gain exposure to the standards, practices, policies, and culture of work.
The types of 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.
Please fill out our online contact form, if you would like to learn more about our co-op programs.
Prerequisite: To qualify for Co-Op programs, a student must be recommended by an instructor or other appropriate CDC Staff, have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new skills. Students must also satisfy Workplace Skills competencies relating to employability.
