By providing opportunities to learn and grow in your organization, you’re investing in your future workforce. Students can also fill a gap in your current workforce. Various programs at high schools, colleges and universities are available to help you navigate the process.
Explore High School Cooperative (Co-op) Education Programs
High school co-op is all about building retention in your workforce. These are non-paid placements where you offer job shadowing and opportunities for students to learn and grow. Many high school co-op students return to their placements for seasonal or full-time jobs when the time comes.
Connect with local Bruce County high schools and speak with the Co-op Education Department.
Bluewater District School Board Education Centre (BWDSB)
Main Office
P.O. Box 190,
351 1st Avenue North
Chesley, ON N0G 1L0
Phone: (519) 363-2014
Toll Free: (800) 661-7509
info@bwdsb.on.ca
bwdsb.on.ca
Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB)
Main Office
799 16th Ave.
Hanover, ON N4N 3A1
Phone: 519-364-5820
Toll Free: 1-877-471-8121
bruce_grey@bgcdsb.org
bgcdsb.org
Conseil scolaire catholique Providence
École St- Dominique Savio
800 East 23rd Street,
Owen Sound, ON N4K 6Z5
Phone: (519) 371-0627
saintdominiquesavio.cscprovidence.ca/
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
OYAP is a specialized program in high school that allows students to explore apprenticeship and consider careers in the skilled trades, generally starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the cooperative education program.
General information: Employers – OYAP (oyappajo.com)
Bluewater District School Board
Project Leader: Justin Graham
P.O. Box 190 351 1st Avenue North Chesley
Chesley, ON N0G1L0
Phone (519) 375-0241
justin_graham@bwdsb.on.ca
Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board
Project Leader: Justin Graham
C/O BWDSB P.O. Box 190 351 1st Avenue North Chesley
Chesley, ON N0G1L0
Phone (519) 375-0241
justin.graham@bgcdsb.org
Conseil scolaire catholique Providence
Project Leader: Nathalie Deshaies-Meloche
7515 Forest Glade Drive
Windsor, ON N8T 3P5
Phone: 519-948-9227 ext. 830120
deshnath@cscprovidence.ca
Cooperative (Co-op) and Apprentice Programs through Ontario Colleges and Universities
Fill a position with a post-secondary student or apprentice, while accessing the skills and knowledge of a motivated and engaged person. Post-secondary programs are often paid placements. University or college students can be extremely knowledgeable and experienced students, eager to learn and grow with your organization.
Cooperative (Co-op) Programs
Connect with cooperative education and work integrated learning departments at a college and university.
Fanshawe College
Fanshawe offers 60+ Co-op Programs and dedicated co-op consultants to support employers and connect them with potential student candidates.
Georgian College
Co-operative Education and Career Success at Georgian College hosts a free job posting site, GeorgianConnects, where you can share co-op, graduate and part-time job opportunities.
Ontario Tech University
Ontario Tech University offers a diverse array of undergraduate, college-to-university transfer, graduate, and direct entry co-op programs.
University of Guelph
Whether recruiting co-op, current, graduate students, or alumni, our students offer a wide range of skills in the technical, academic, and personal management areas.
University of Waterloo
With Waterloo’s job board, organizations can begin building their talent strategies by hiring students with the skills and expertise to work in roles across departments and industries. Hire Waterloo interns/co-op students for your small business, startup or scaleup.
Apprenticeship Programs
Connect with work integrated learning departments at a college and university.
Fanshawe College
Fanshawe College offers many skilled trade and apprenticeship programs. Locally we have the Huron/Bruce Regional sites that offer programs out of Kincardine.
Learn more about apprenticeships and skilled trades at Fanshawe College.
Georgian College
Georgian College is a training delivery agent and provides the in-school portion of apprenticeship programs for registered apprentices in our state-of-the-art shop spaces.
Financial Support and Resources
For Employers
Qualified students are often lining up waiting for the opportunity to work. And schools and program facilitators help you navigate the entire process. On top of that, financial incentives are offered to support the process.
Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit
Ontario businesses that hire students enrolled in a post-secondary co-operative education program are eligible for a tax credit.
When you have a high-performing and engaged employee, you want to keep them. And showing opportunities for growth within your organization is a fantastic retention tool.
For Individuals
If your employees are looking for ways to upskill or grow within your organization, point them to the many financial resources available to them, or to a free adult upgrading program in their community.
Adult Upgrading Programs
Learn where local adult upgrading programs are located, their hours of operation, and how to contact them.
Community Foundation of Grey Bruce
The Community Foundation of Grey Bruce holds $17 million in endowed funds that support education. Grants from these specific endowed funds support scholarships, bursaries and awards, which are disbursed to support students seeking full time or full time equivalent post-secondary education.
Federal Supports for Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship
How to become an apprentice, train and find a job in a Red Seal trade, how to hire an apprentice and what apprenticeship financial support is available.
Find Your Trade
This site is dedicated to showcasing the many unique skilled trades and technology careers available to graduates of relevant programs offered by Ontario’s public colleges.
Discover the skilled trades programs available through Ontario colleges.
Provincial Financial Supports for Apprentices
Learn about the provincial and federal financial support for apprentices, find out if you qualify and how to apply.
Red Seal Financial Supports
Skilled Trades Ontario is the one-stop shop for opportunities in the skilled trades, and the promotion of rewarding careers which support Ontario’s economy.
Skilled Trades Ontario
To promote the growth of trades, many financial supports are available to apprentices, tradespeople and those who hire apprentices.