Co-Operative Education or Co-Operative Placement?

Overview & Synopsis

The Co-operative Education Department at Mohawk College is designed to extend the academic learning process into the workplace through on-the-job learning experiences which enhance the students' vocational maturation and personal development, and are integrated with the learning objectives of the program. The department offers paid, supervised off-campus work semesters in cooperating businesses, industries, or government agencies; provides comprehensive career development services for cooperative education students within the academic curriculum; evaluates the work experience for academic credit; and enhances the potential for graduate employment through occupational socialization and career development. This description of Mohawk's Co-operative Education Department includes a brief introduction to cooperative education, and the mission statement and goals of the department. The bulk of the document consists of 10 appendixes. The first appendixes contain flow charts showing the total education system as a combination of classroom and workplace experiences, the key players in cooperative education, and Mohawk's strategic planning model for cooperative education. Appendix 3 shows the college's mission statement and objectives, while appendix 4 presents the mandate and terms of reference given to the curriculum development subcommittee of the College Cooperative Educators of Ontario. Appendixes 5 and 6 include the questionnaire used and results of a survey of 68 faculty members regarding the job placement and experiential learning roles of cooperative education. Appendix 7 presents criteria for assessing cooperative education programs. Appendix 8 contains the recommended work profile of a cooperative education coordinator. Appendix 9 provides information on Mohawk's newest cooperative education program in packaging management and technology. Finally, appendix 10 illustrates the college's cooperative education and graduate placement structure. (JMC)