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Co-Operative Education Program

Wendy Ronberg, Teacher

The focus of this year's cooperative education program at the M.F. McHugh Education Centre/Youville Centre has been in keeping with the Youville goal to help our students "become self-sufficient contributing members of society". In order to achieve this objective , our program encompasses the following:

Work experience;
Volunteering;
Field trips to help students with transition planning (Algonquin College, Job Connect, Youth Zone, Job Fairs, Carleton University);
Certifications and Training;
Guest Speakers.
Dual Credit Program with Algonquin College where students can earn a college credit as well as a high school credit (8 credits were awarded this year).

Through experiential learning opportunities, students were able to gain employability skills, learn about post secondary options, and expand their resumes by attending workshops and earning a variety of certifications including WHMIS, Passport to Safety, Service Excellence, Smart Serve, First Aid/CPR. Students were also able to give back to the community through their volunteer efforts at the Ottawa Food Bank and Clean Up the Capital.

Co-op Education is very important at Youville

One of these successful coop placements paved the way for an equally successful apprenticeship for a Youville student. Thanks to Freda's Family Hairstyling and Kudos to our student, Jolaina Heslip.

Our students took advantage of the many events that were offered by the OCDSB, OCSB, OCRI, and Job Connect during the "Skilled Trades Month" in Ottawa.

Skills Canada Networking Dinner for Women: This event brought students and women in the skilled trades together to share their experience in the trades and explore career opportunities that may not have seemed possible before;

Mission Employable: This event highlighted school-to-work and college opportunities in our community. The goal was to connect youth to potential educational pathways and employment opportunities, while facilitating discussions between students and local employers;

Algonquin Skilled Trades Tour for Young Women: Our students listened to a motivational speech by two highly successful women from PCL construction and were then taken on a tour of the Algonquin campus. The afternoon was highlighted with the opportunity for the students to do hands-on workshops in the carpentry and tool making shops;

OCRI Job Fair "Journey Out Beyond School" AND Focus on the Hospitality Industry: This event was attended by our graduates and alumnae who were seeking full time or summer employment immediately following June graduation. The events were designed to heighten students' awareness of the world of work and give them an opportunity to network with various employers.