Experiential Learning Opportunities

Experiential learning opportunities are available in all secondary schools. These help students make decisions about possible career paths and the necessary courses needed to get there. In secondary schools, there are a number of ways to gain practical work experiences:

• Take Your Kid to Work Day – grade 9 students go with their parent, guardian or another adult to their place of work for a day
• Job Shadowing – students spend a day with a worker in a specific occupation
• Job Twinning – students go with a cooperative education student to his or her placement to observe
• Work Experience – students go to a workplace for a limited period of time (1 – 4 weeks) as part of a credit course
• Virtual Work Experience – students participate in “virtual work” placements for a limited time (1 – 4 weeks) as part of a credit course
• Cooperative Education – students participate in extended work placements and classroom components. Students earn credits for cooperative education courses.
• School-Work Transition Programs – students identified as exceptional, and those receiving special education programs or services participate in programs that prepare them for specific occupations or apprenticeships
• OYAP – Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program allows students who are 16 years of age or older to earn cooperative education credits for work experience in an occupation that requires apprenticeship

Talk to the Student Services and Cooperative Education Departments for more information about any of these programs.