In the Air - HRAI Industry News

If you’re  looking for young people interested in working in the skilled trades why not go to the source? Take on a high school Co-op student. 

At College Avenue Secondary School in Woodstock, Ontario, we run an HVAC program where students earn their G3 Gas Certification, Ozone Depletion Prevention as well as other job-related certifications such as Working from Heights, Elevated Work Platforms and First Aid among others. Many high schools in Ontario offer similar trade related certifications through the Specialist High Skills Major program. We all struggle with the same challenge. Not enough Co-op placements. 

Co-op teachers will spend the later part of August as well as the first couple weeks of the semester in September and again in February reaching out to local businesses looking for placements for their students. Once a business agrees to take on a co-op student the student will reach out to the employer for a job interview. The employer can decide to take on the student based on how well they do on the interview, for competitive placements the employer will have a choice of a few applicants. 

The Co-op program at the high school level will differ from school boards however they will largely follow the same template. Students can take two credits which would be a half day, or they can take four credits which would be full day co-op, either option will run for a 5-month semester. Some school boards offer summer school full day Co-op for 2 credits for the month of July. 

Students will spend the first two weeks of school in class to line up job interview and to work on their resumes and cover letters. Once they start their co-op placement, they will return to school one day every three weeks for in school training. 

 Workers Compensation is covered by the school Board, and the students supply their own safety boots, safety glasses and a hard hat. Co-operative education in unpaid as the students are earning high school credits. Students must be 16 years of age and must have their own transportation to and from their placement. Students that age typically don’t have their own tools. 

Co-op is a  great opportunity to recruit some apprentices, having a presence at your local high school generates some buzz among the student population. If you aren’t already taking on any students reach out to your local high school and let them know you are interested in taking on a Co-op student.