Cooperative Education

The Work-Based Placement Option

The Lycoming Career & Technology Center has established working partnerships with many area businesses encompassing a variety of career fields.  Through placement in actual job sites, students learn the responsibilities of good employees including punctuality, appearance and work ethics.  Students must also attend a related theory class every two weeks, which reinforces these issues and also included topics such as resume writing, interview skills, and completion of job applications.

Eligibility for Cooperative Education: Student must complete two years in a LycoCTC program and completed competences required for each program to have the privilege to apply for a Co-Op position during their third year.  Students then will go through an interview process with interested employers.

Objectives:

  • To allow the student to broaden and further his or her knowledge by working with business and industry partnerships

  • Provide the student with an opportunity to experience the “world of work”

  • Provide the student with an opportunity to acquire career awareness and goals

  • Opportunity to earn money while in high school

Benefits:

For the student:

  • Learn while you earn

  • Become responsible and self-motivated

  • Build self-esteem

  • Get acquainted with business and industry standards

  • Acquire work ethics

  • Possible hire after graduation

  • Ease transition from school to work

Student Requirements:

Prior to the first day of work students:

  • Must be recommended by Instructor, Workforce Development Coordinator, High School Principal, Parent/Guardian and Director

  • Must have reliable transportation to and from work

  • Must be covered under parent or school insurance

  • Must receive parent permission

  • Must have good attendance and discipline record

  • Must provide copy of working permit to Workforce Development Coordinator, if under age 18 prior to first day of work

  • Must provide Workforce Development Coordinator with a completed level 3 application.

  • Provide a signed copy of Student Rules and Regulations Packet to the Workforce Development Coordinator.

  • Must have completed training agreement and training plan forms filled out and given to Workforce Development Coordinator prior to first day of work

Student Guidelines before and during work:

  • Provide to the Workforce Development Coordinator, a Weekly Journal Sheet completed by the student and signed by the mentor or supervisor

  • Participation in standardized tests with his or her related cluster if necessary.  Example: National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)

  • The student is responsible for transportation to and from work

  • To contact the Workforce Development Coordinator of any issues regarding work; including safety, hours, complaints, etc.

  • Student will not quit his or her job or change employment without first meeting with Workforce Development Coordinator & mentor/supervisor.

Resource Information on Cooperative Education and Child Labor Laws:

Pennsylvania Cooperative Education Association