Students and employers involved in Simcoe Composite School’s co-operative education program were excited when schools went from on-line to on-site.
That was one of the takeaways from the co-op department’s recent employer appreciation lunch.
Students, employers, school staff and future employers were able to connect and discuss the program and future opportunities at the event held at the school on June 27.
Students also showed off displays highlighting their experiences at the placement they attended.
The co-op program is run by SCS teachers Jim Wier and Richard Ernst. Both were pleased to get students back on-site once again and employers were happy to have students in the workplace.
“COVID-19 has affected the co-op program greatly with the lack of students being able to go out into the community,” said Ernst.
But, placements have started to return to normal.
Grade 11 student Kadence Smith, 16, attended her co-op placement at Simcoe Volkswagen where she would shadow a technician and learn how to conduct oil changes and more complex jobs.
Smith said the placement will lead to an apprenticeship starting next year. From there, she will go through to become a fully licensed mechanic.
Brock Edwards, owner of Brock’s Engine Rebuilding & Machine Shop in Vanessa, said the students from SCS have always been helpful when it comes to working at the placement.
“It’s got to be the right student for the work. You get pretty dirty and not too many kids like to get dirty anymore,” he said. “I’ll keep doing this as long as they show interest.”
Edwards was one of the employers who attended the appreciation lunch.
“I was a teacher’s assistant at Elgin Avenue Public School so I just jumped around from the kindergarten classrooms. It’s working with kids, getting to know them, playing with them and seeing how they learn,” said Grade 11 student, Jennifer Bonaccorso, 17.
“I would help where needed, some of the skills I learned were patience and learning to accommodate each child’s specific needs and how to work with them to help in completing tasks.”
Wier said many students have received paid summer jobs from their placements due to the their work ethic.
The commitment of students taking part was praised by the school’s vice-principal Matthew Malcolm.
“We really do have kind caring students who are passionate about learning and looking to expand their horizons and get those opportunities that will take their learning to the next level,” he said.
Students can begin co-op education once they reach Grade 11 with the first semester running from September to January and second semester from February to June.