How to Connect – Educators Guide
Employer Selection
1. Care must be taken by the off-campus, co-op/work experience coordinator in procuring appropriate work sites and work stations.
2. An appropriate employer has an established reputation in the community, is actively interested in providing a positive, safe and caring learning experience for the student and allows for progressive development of occupation related knowledge and skills. Such an employer:
A) is enthusiastic about being involved in the program;
B) provides a positive, safe and caring working environment for the student and meets the requirements of related legislation, regulations, codes and policies; e.g., Provincial School Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workers’ Compensation Board in each province;
C) orients the student to proper safety practices and ensures that the student understands and will comply;
D) explains carefully all procedures to the student;
E) helps the student feel like part of the work team;
F) offers work that is consistent with the student’s ability;
G) makes allowances for any student limitations;
H) works with the off-campus, co-op/ work experience, coordinator and the student to improve the level of learning;
I) assigns a supervisor to the student who provides effective and appropriate supervision;
J) completes the necessary forms provided by each school district and/or provincial department of education;
Identifying Prospective Employers
Here are some suggestions for identifying prospective employers:
1) obtain membership lists of industry, business, professional or trade organizations, service clubs and volunteer agencies;
2) check business, industry and social agency directories;
3) check business and telephone directories;
4) contact work sites and work stations previously used by the school;
5) ask employers to recommend other employers;
6) become active on any education committees of local business or industry groups; e.g., Chamber of Commerce;
7) write an article for the school or district newsletter to seek prospective employers;
8) ask school staff, friends, neighbours, relatives and past or present students for contacts;
9) explore the surrounding area near the school or on local bus routes to obtain names and locations of potential work sites and work stations;
10) survey selected organizations by mail.
Recruiting the Employer
1. Before attempting to recruit a prospective employer, it is recommended to find out some information about the business, its services and/or products. Dropping in on a prospective employer without prior knowledge or planning is not recommended.
2. Once a potential employer is identified, the off-campus, co-op/ work experience coordinator makes an appointment to visit in person. A well-planned and organized recruitment visit is essential in order to provide the employer with information about the program, to obtain information on the suitability of the work site and to gain commitment from the employer.
The First Visit to the Employer
1. After contacting the prospective employer, make an appointment for an interview with an appropriate representative in the organization.
2. Take a program package to the interview and present it to the employer’s representative. Whether this package is in the form of a flyer, a brochure or a group of documents in a file folder, it should include a:
(check off)
description of the program
copy of the student’s schedule
list of the student’s responsibilities
list of the supervisor’s responsibilities
list of the off-campus coordinator’s responsibilities ie. Schedule of teacher site visits
copy of the work agreement or contract
sample learning plan or proposed list of learner expectations co-op/work Experience