Grade 9-11
Job Shadowing & Job Twinning are opportunities for students to learn about the work world. Job Shadowing allows students to spend one-half to one day (or, in some cases, up to three days) with a worker in a specific occupation. Job Twinning provides the opportunity for the student to accompany a Cooperative Education student to his or her placement for one-half to one day. A student may participate in more than one job shadowing or job twinning experience, thereby obtaining a broader range of career information through observation in typical workplace environments. Job shadowing and job twinning may be integrated into any credit course and may also be components of a student’s school-work transition program.

Program Pathways
A program pathway consists of the combination of courses that make up a student’s educational program
and the supports provided by the program. It is designed to allow students to explore a particular destination and should reflect the goals that motivate students to complete their secondary education. A program pathway will help students be successful in their transition to the workplace, apprenticeship, college, or university.

Students can select from a variety of types of courses to meet the needs of their individual pathways. Types
of courses include: academic, applied, locally developed compulsory courses, open, workplace,
college, university/college, and university.

When planning their pathway, students might consider the following experiential learning opportunities:

Cooperative Education is an exciting concept that allows students to combine in-school instruction with
on-the-job experience as an alternative way of earning credits towards an Ontario Secondary School
Diploma. It provides students with the opportunity to discover their skills and career interests in the
workplace while still attending school. It allows students to make informed career decisions when the
time comes to select their post-secondary path. Cooperative Education enables students to develop
work ethic, interpersonal and employability skills, while at the same time exploring a career or interest
and earning from one to four academic credits that are tied to any subject area.
Cooperative Education is primarily geared toward the grade 11 and grade 12 students within the school.
However, accommodation can be made for younger students based on their specific needs.

Cooperative Education programs combine a full-semester, half-day work placement in the community with classroom theory to earn 2 credits. The classroom component includes pre-placement
sessions prior to attending a community placement and reflective sessions throughout the semester.
The pre-placement sessions will include training in health and safety, job search techniques,
confidentiality, work ethics, the role of unions, the Employment Standards Act and the development of a
Personalized Placement Learning Plan. The placement component provides the opportunity to enrich the
knowledge and skills learned in school with a practical application at a community placement.

Students from St. Mary’s can choose a placement from many employers, the following employment
categories offer some suggestions:

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Maturity and a positive attitude.
Being punctual and in regular attendance as required by the employer and school.
Demonstrate a willingness to learn.
Possess the necessary educational background for the placement requested.
Adhere to the policies and procedures of the workplace and the school.
Follow safety regulations.
Assume responsibility for their own transportation to and from the workplace.
(Note: this will be addressed within the Cooperative Education Department)
Assume any costs for necessary equipment, and transportation that could be part of the placement requirements.
(Note: this will be addressed within the Cooperative Education Department)
Some placements require health tests and/or criminal background checks.