During challenging economic times, it’s important for small businesses to take advantage of opportunities that can help them to not only survive but also to thrive. One area where businesses can benefit while giving back to their local communities is through participation in high school co-op programs, like the one being offered by the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB).
“Participation in a co-op program is a great way for businesses to be part of a mutually beneficial relationship,” said Nicholas Brown, Co-op Coordinator with the board. “Our students need experience. Businesses are struggling. The Wellington Catholic District School Board has high school students who are ready to lend businesses a helping hand.”
Brown said that participation in a co-op program is not about replacing paid employees, but rather about helping the next generation of potential employees discover the right career pursuits.
“Co-op programs help students discern their pathway by trying out a career,” said Brown. “It’s an opportunity for them to develop networking connections and to determine if something they were thinking about is actually the right career fit for them.”
While Covid-19 protocols have placed challenges and restrictions on students while attending high school, Brown said there have been unexpected benefits for students looking for co-op placements during the pandemic.
“They’re already used to working in an environment that has Covid protocols in place,” said Brown. “They understand what it means to socially distance. They understand what it means to wear a mask for the whole day. They’ve got Covid protocol compliance down.”
With the number of employers declining as a result of the pandemic, Brown said the WCDSB is looking to add new co-op providers for the current quadmester as well as those scheduled for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. The fact that some businesses have opted to have employees work from home shouldn’t deter business owners from providing opportunities for students.
“It’s up to the employer to decide where they want a co-op student to work,” said Brown. “There are parents who may not want students to be out in the community for their placement. Students can work from home, providing things like web help or on-line cataloguing. There are lots of different ways our students can contribute without actually having to be on-site if a business is no longer on-site or they don’t want students on-site.”
One of the biggest advantages of participating in the WCDSB co-op program now is the flexibility students have when it comes to actual work hours.
“In the system the Wellington Catholic board is using, our students are available to work from 9am until 2pm,” said Brown. “They can do a full day every day for half a semester. Normally, what we would do for co-op, if a student’s co-op was in the morning they’d come back for afternoon classes or the other way around if their co-op was in the afternoon. Sometimes an employer could have two students in one day. Now, there is the potential to have a richer, deeper experience if you have the student for the whole day.”
The school board is currently looking for employers to provide co-op opportunities in multiple sectors, including trades, service, arts/culture, education, hospitality and more.
Potential employers can learn more about co-op programs with the Wellington Catholic District School Board by clicking here. Please contact Nicholas Brown at [email protected] if you’d like more information.