• Would you like to hire young, energetic employees?
• Would you like employees with specific trade knowledge?
• Would you like employees that have been trained by trade professionals?
• Would you like employees that have been trained on modern equipment?
• Would you like employees that have been taught proper tool and equipment care and use?
• Would you like employees that have been taught safety procedures?
• Would you like employees that have been taught proper work ethics?
• Would you like employees that have been trained in a team atmosphere?
• Would you like employees that have good work habits?
• Would you like employees that are aware that they must continue training to keep up with technology?

The Co-op program allows qualified students the opportunity to work at a job within their chosen field during school time. The students alternate between school and work on nine-day cycles. Cooperating companies hire students as regular employees at pay scales comparable to those of other entry-level people performing similar tasks.

Co-op is a State approved, work-based learning program. Employers are required to pay the students, but have no further monetary responsibilities. They must provide a safe working environment, supervision by a person with journeyman status, and be covered under the Workers' Compensation Act.

Students are evaluated each cycle by the employer, and are further evaluated by the Co-op Coordinator and the employer each quarter. The Co-op Coordinator is responsible for qualifying work sites for safety and work content, and will conduct regular site visits.

1. The employer must provide a certificate of insurance for workers compensation.
2. The employer must provide tasks of a progressive nature.
3. Personnel used as instructors must meet the qualifying status of journeyman in their particular trades or occupation.
4. The employer must pay wages comparable to those paid to other persons doing similar work in the same occupation.
5. Hours and working conditions shall conform to those established by the laws affecting minors of the same age group in employment. The minimum amount of hours needed to participate in the program shall be 54 in the nine-day cycle.
6. The employer, with the help of the school, will evaluate the performance of the student and grade him/ her as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
7. The employer must notify the school in writing for termination of employment.

1. The student must be highly recommended by the shop and related teachers. This recommendation must have the written or verbal permission of the Cluster Coordinator.
2. The student must be currently passing shop and all academic and related subjects.
3. The student must be able to provide his/her own transportation to work.
4. The student must indicate a reasonable assurance that he/she can control his/her behavior and therefore will be a positive example of the student population.
5. The student must meet all the current attendance requirements, (no more than 10 days absent during junior year). Any student recommended for co-op who surpasses this limit may ask for a conference with the Cluster and Co-Op Coordinators. If there are extenuating circumstances, and the Cluster and Co-Op Coordinator agree, the attendance requirement will be waived. Students not reaching the requirements at this point may re-apply for co-op privileges at the conclusion of the sixth cycle. To receive consideration, the students must meet all the co-op requirements and have good attendance for the first six cycles.
6. The student must have good attendance during the senior year.
7. The student must adhere to work standards as set forth by the employer.
8. The student must continue to meet all the above requirements while on co-op. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the revocation of the co-op privilege.

During the cycle the student is normally assigned to shop, he/she will instead report to his/her cooperative employer.

If for any reason either the student or employer fails to adhere to the regulations, the cooperative agreement would be voided. The student will be returned to regular shop training and the employer may be dropped as a cooperative agency.