Cooperative Employment

What is Co-Op?

Hodgson attempts to provide each 12th grade Career and Technical Education (CTE) student a paid cooperative training work opportunity, which is a capstone experience in his or her senior year. This program allows seniors to work in paid entry-level positions in a related business or industry while completing their high school graduation requirements.

Every effort is made to maintain flexibility regarding student/employer needs. In some situations, the student employee works full-time for a two week period and attends school full-time for two weeks alternately, while others require half-day school/half-day work scheduling. Additionally, certain situations require employment scheduled after school hours and on weekends. These details are worked out to the satisfaction of the student and employer without jeopardizing the student’s scholastic standing.

Through regular evaluation of students by employers and on-site evaluations by high school and district coordinators, the student's performance on the job becomes a part of the career area grade.

Interested in learning more? Click on the arrows below to access more information.

CLICK THE ARROW TO THE RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION FOR CURRENT COOPERATIVE EMPLOYMENT STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS/GUARDIANS

Current Cooperative Employment Students and Parents/Guardians

We provide superior Career and Technical Education, enabling all students to achieve their aspirations!

Student Responsibilities

Students participating in the cooperative learning (Co-Op) program must:

Continue to be in good academic standing.
Abide by all rules and regulations of the school, the district and the Hodgson Co-Op Training Agreement.
Students who attend school and then leave for Co-Op must sign out every time they leave. Areas and procedures for signing or swiping out are designated at Hodgson.
Maintain regular attendance at your Co-Op employment and at school, and immediately notify their supervisor, CTE instructor, and Cooperative Employment Coordinator prior to any absences.
Show an interest in the activities and experiences offered through your Co-Op employment.
Dress and groom in the manner consistent with the standards of the Co-Op employment site.
Submit completed Co-Op evaluations, weekly hour logs and all other documentation required by the Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructor and Co-Op Employment Coordinator by the due dates.
Communicate any change in employment status or concerns/issues regarding employment to the CTE instructor and Co-Op Coordinator.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

Make every effort to schedule all appointments (i.e. doctor's appointments, etc.) after school hours and after the student's Co-Op employment.
Direct issues or concerns about the student's employment to the Cooperative Employment Coordinator, not the employer. The Co-Op Employment Coordinator is an advocate for the student and the best resource to resolve issues.
Continue to regularly monitor your student's academic progress through Infinite Campus/Campus Parent.

For Your Information: Delaware Child Labor Law

Training Evaluations

Each marking period, we ask that our Co-Op employers grade the students on their performance at work. This grade counts anywhere between 50% - 70% of the student's career program grade. The Training Evaluation Form will be provided to each participating employer four (4) times during the regular school year and once during the summer. The student shall be responsible for presenting the Evaluation Form to the employer and returning it to the Cooperative Education office. Since the cooperative work experience is an extension of the career program, the student's work evaluation is to become part of the marking period grade. The weight of the grade is directly proportional to the time spent on the job (i.e., if the student Co-Ops for half of the marking period, the employer's evaluation shall reflect 50% of the grade).

To access the Hodgson Co-Op Employment Calendars and Forms and How to Submit Documents Electronically, go to the tab below on this website page.

CLICK THE ARROW TO THE RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION FOR CO-OP BUSINESS PARTNERS AND EMPLOYERS

Co-Op Business Partners / Employers

Let us help grow your business, help a student transition from school to work.

How Can a Co-Op Student Benefit You and Your Organization?

Our goal is to provide our local industry partners with highly trained and technically qualified entry-level employees with excellent 21st century employability skills to help manage your workload, and provide students with an opportunity to learn about the exciting opportunities in their chosen career and industry. We ensure that each and every student is as qualified and professional as any entry-level employee you may hire.

Co-Op students possess knowledge and skills that employees may not – computer programs, research capabilities, writing abilities, and insights about the latest academic methods.
Co-Op students add vibrancy! – They provide fresh ideas and positive energy that can have a contagious effect on employee morale, motivation and creativity.
Increase productivity – Time & work that Co-Op students save full-time employees enables your full time employees to focus talents on higher-level tasks.
Recruitment – Employing Co-Op students allows businesses to pre-draft full-time employees and reduce time, costs and mistakes by screening and training graduates in advance.

I Am Interested. What Now? The Process is Simple!

Contact Hodgson’s Co-Op Coordinator, Chris Moxley.
Agree on a work schedule agreeable to the employer and student/employee.
Sign a simple training agreement outlining the employer, student, school, and parent responsibilities (and a work permit if the student is under the age of 18).

Key Employer Responsibilities:

Pay student(s) at least legal minimum wage.
Agree to fill out a performance evaluation for the student employee every 8 weeks.
Allow the Co-Op Coordinator and/or CTE instructor to visit the work site to ensure employer/student satisfaction
Maintain open communication with the Co-Op Coordinator and/or CTE instructor regarding performance.
Follow Department of Labor Child Labor Laws and pay for Workers' Compensation.

Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions

CLICK THE ARROW TO THE RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION FOR UNDERCLASSMEN STUDENTS & PROSPECTIVE PARENTS

Prospective students who are interested in participating in the Co-Op Experience

What is Cooperative Education (Co-Op)?

Cooperative education is a unique educational opportunity that integrates academic and career training programs with paid, planned and supervised work experience in the public and private sectors. Co-Op allows students to acquire additional career related skills by being exposed to the world of work, thus enhancing their self-confidence and career goals.

How Does Co-Op Work?

Students apply the skills acquired in nearly 1,000 hours of vocational-technical training and additional skills and knowledge in "real employment" situations. Once placed, students are given on-the-job training and monitored by a supervisor who will complete a quarterly evaluation of his or her performance on the job. Students will be graded in the following areas:

Accuracy of work
Personal appearance
Initiative
Safety
Attitude
Attendance/punctuality
Potential for growth
Communication skills

The student's work schedule is expected to be a minimum of 20 hours per week. The Co-Op Coordinator will work closely with the supervisor to ensure that the student is receiving well-rounded work experience and that the student is performing satisfactorily.

Eligibility

Part time job or assignment related to your Career area
2.0 Cumulative GPA
No behavior issues
No attendance issues
Career area instructor's approval
Parent/guardian approval
Co-Op Coordinator's approval
Completed Co-Op Training Agreement
Work permit (if under 18)
In good standing throughout the school

Reasons to Co-Op

Provides on-the-job training that enhances skills
Gain meaningful experience related to your career industry
Structured entry into the workforce
Co-Op students that are apprenticed-based earn credits toward certification
Students who participate are likely to continue to be employed after graduation
Builds self-esteem
Earn money
Get a head start on your peers in the workforce

Before you go, keep in mind.....

Preparing for the Co-Op experience starts in the 9th grade.. Focus on all your assignments and school work to ensure you will be on track for your senior year. You should also secure your own transportation prior to your senior year. This will be an exciting time for you! But remember, Co-Op is not a right, it's a privilege. All our students must be in good standing to be able to participate in this exciting and rewarding program!

CLICK THE ARROW TO THE RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION FOR CO-OP FORMS AND CALENDARS

Calendars and Forms

Calendars

Forms

Co-Op Training Agreement- Hodgson
Non-Paid Training/Internship Agreement
Co-Op Evaluation Form - Hodgson
State of Delaware Work Permit for Minor (Under 18)
Work Permit Procedures for Other States:
- State of Maryland (for students who work in MD but live in another state)
  - The application process is done online at: MD Work Permit for Minor
- State of Pennsylvania (for students who work in PA but live in another state)
  - Form is available online for printing at: PA Work Permit for Minor
- State of New Jersey (for students who work in NJ but live in another state)
  - Form is available online for printing at: NJ Work Permit for Minor

How to submit documents electronically: Click Here

CLICK THE ARROW TO THE RIGHT IF YOU ARE A GRADUATE OF HODGSON/A SISTER SCHOOL AND LOOKING FOR WORK

Contact:

Chris Moxley

Cooperative Employment Coordinator
[email protected]

Hodgson Vocational – Technical High School
2575 Glasgow Avenue; Newark, DE 19702
Phone: (302) 832-7740 • Fax: (302) 838-4090