“…Sorry. Unless you have experience, we can’t hire you…”
This probably sounds familiar if you’re a young person. You’ve diligently studied and want that job or access to a career-benefitting program. But the door gets slammed in your face. Of course you think, “How am I supposed to get any experience if I can’t get hired?!”
There is a solution though and it’s called cooperative education, or “co-op” programs. They’ve been around for a while and are truly helpful.
Theory and Practice
Sometimes students don’t know about co-op programs as they are not always advertised. But they exist in just about all facets of education: math and science, arts and humanities, and especially the trades. They are offered to apply much of the theory that students might learn in their classes while picking up valuable hands-on experience. For example, if you are aspiring to be an electrical engineer, you might get a co-op placement in a building firm to see how wiring is done in either residential or commercial properties.
The important note of co-op is that not students all can receive it. Applicants must demonstrate a certain academic achievement, might have to show volunteer hours earned, and even submit to an interview before being accepted. Co-op programs are VERY competitive.
Getting Hands-On
QW School understands co-op programs and the processes of applying, submitting, and achieving co-op roles that modern secondary students desire. Think you need or would benefit from getting into a co-op program but don’t know how to start? Contact us at QWSchool.ca to see how our academic staff can assist you getting into that co-op program you want. We get hands-on to help you get even more so.