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Co-op Education - Center for Arts & Technology


The Cooperative Education program is designedto provide seniors andselected juniors with the opportunity to bridge the gap betweeneducation and employment while remaining a student.

The programcombines classroom instruction with on-the-job training.By integrating classroom study and supervised, practical workexperience, students obtain the best of both worlds as they learn byapplying skills they mastered in the classroom.

The CooperativeEducation program is available in any occupationalprogram to qualifying students who have demonstrated good attendance,obtained good grades and have their teacher’s recommendation.

Theobjectives of the Co-op Program are to connect classroom learning withwork-based learning experiences, prepare students for the move fromclassroom to worksite, support supervised on-the-job training, and helpstudents make career decisions.

SCOPE

Co-op provides career andtechnology education students withexperiences in their specialized areas of training. Through co-op thesestudents will finalize their formal in-school technical training withrelated employment experiences at school-approved work sites. Co-op isopen to seniors and some 4th quarter juniors. Participants receivetheir academic course work each day and are then permitted to leavecampus and report to their employer’s worksite. Co-op jobs must berelated to the student’s occupational program.

QUALIFICATIONS

Enrollment in a CAT Brandywine occupationalprogram. Recommendation and approval of the occupational instructor,guidance counselor, co-op coordinator, and parent or guardian. Passingall subjects with a "C" or better. Attendance in compliance with schoolpolicy. Acceptable disciplinary record. Valid work permit (if under 18years of age). Students must supply their own transportation.

POST-SECONDARYEDUCATION

An employer often offers successful co-op studentsthe opportunity to further their education.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The time spent workingfor a co-op employer allows the employer totrain the student for the company’s specific needs. The employer alsohas the chance to evaluate the student’s future with the company. Manyco-op students continue working for their co-op employers aftergraduation.

CHARACTERISTICS FORSUCCESS

Reliable, prompt, willing to listen and learn, teamworker, safe worker, organized.

QUESTIONS?

http://www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us/

Forfurther information contact:

Barb Hanlon, Cooperative EducationInstructor, 610-384-1585 ext. 3154