Learning through classroom & work experiences

      Cooperative education, or co-op, is a unique plan of education designed to integrate classroom learning with supervised work experience. During the fourth marking period, eligible students apply for full-time employment in areas related to their LCCTC program. Eligibility to participate in co-op is determined by meeting the criteria based on grades, attendance and a recommendation from the LCCTC classroom instructor.

      Students benefit from participation in co-op by earning a head start into the real world job market. They are supported and guided by their instructor and the co-op coordinator and they earn a competitive wage while other students are still in school. Students placed in employment in approved training sites utilize the skill areas related to what they have developed throughout the year in a work-based setting, as well as develop important interpersonal skills, teamwork skills and work ethics necessary for success in the workplace. Co-op bridges the gap between education and the world of work.

      Employers also benefit from the co-op program. With the low unemployment rate in Lancaster County, employers are facing real shortages in obtaining a skilled labor force. This program allows local business and industry to hire students with technical skills, adapt their experiences to meet the current demands of the industry and mold the individual through a supervised program. Although many students become permanent employees after graduation, employers are not obligated to retain the students if they have not met the company's expectations.

      The Lancaster County Career & Technology Center Co-op Program establishes specific requirements for participants. All employers must provide Workman's Compensation Insurance and continuous supervision, as well as observe all rules regarding employment, including child labor laws.

      Ongoing communication is encouraged among all participants throughout the process, allowing for remediation, counseling and intervention to ensure the success of the student's experience. The employer works with the lab instructor to provide feedback regarding the student's progress. Credit toward a high school diploma is earned for satisfactory work experience and grades are assigned based on the employer's evaluation and the student's performance at Lancaster County Career & Technology Center.