The Rural Voice, 1992-02, Page 50BRUCE
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
519-364-3050
The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce
County farmers by the BCFA.
CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION IN AGRICULTURAL/AGRIBUSINESS
IN BRUCE COUNTY
A co-operative education in Agri-
culture/Agribusiness has been devel-
oped and is now being offered at the
Walkerton District Secondary School
(WDSS) in Walkerton, Ontario. Co-op
education combines traditional class-
room instruction with periods of on-
the-job experience and training. The
WDSS program, specifically tailored
for agriculture/agribusiness, is a fust in
Ontario.
Co-op education has many benefits
for students, employers and the com-
munity. For the student, co-op educa-
tion offers: work experience at three
agricultural -related job placements,
practical in -school courses based on
agriculture -adapted curriculum, a basis
for post -secondary studies in agricul-
ture, development of valuable life skills
such as decision-making, good work
habits, communication, working with
others and responsibility. In addition,
the students will earn eight credits
towards their Ontario Secondary
School Diploma in their grade 12 year.
Co-op education helps many students
who might otherwise drop out to stay in
the education system and earn a high
school diploma. As well, the employ-
ment experience helps young people
make decisions about further education
and future career choices.
The co-op program is also good for
employers. It allows agri-business
input into the educational system.
Public awareness is raised about the
importance of modern agriculture.
Most importantly, the program pro-
duces graduates with some practical
training and experience who are inter-
ested in employment in agriculture and
agribusiness.
The WDSS program is scheduled to
allow the job placement period to coin-
cide with the busiest time on the farm
and at many agri businesses. The first
two weeks of September are in -school
pre-employment classes, where farm
46 THE RURAL VOICE
safety and job readiness skills are
emphasized. A work placement fol-
lows from mid-September to the end of
October. November to March is spent
in school. April/May and May/June are
spent at two different six-week job
placements, with one day each week
spent in class. This in -school curricu-
lum consists of credit courses in Media
English, Environmental Science and
Business Math. The latter two subjects
are agriculture -adapted.
The employer's main responsibili-
ties are to provide the student with the
training and job experience outlined in
a training schedule determined by the
co-op teacher and the employer prior to
the start of employment. If applicable,
the employer will inform regular staff
of their role in training a co-op student.
The employer must submit two evalu-
ation reports which are very important
in assigning a grade for completion of
the course. And, of course, the em-
ployer must take all reasonable care and
precaution with regard to safety.
The students in co-op receive expe-
rience and training but are not paid
wages. The Ministry of Education
covers the students for Workers' Com-
pensation. The employer must provide
vehicle insurance to cover the student if
operation of vehicles is part of the job.
The Agriculture/Agribusiness co-
op education teachers at WDSS, Marg
Murray and Stewart Brown, provide
the classroom instruction and arrange
and supervise all job placements. This
supervision includes regular visits
while the student is on the job. During
these visits, the teachers work with
employers to solve any problems with
the student or the program and to assist
in evaluation if necessary.
In addition, an advisory committee
of farmers, agribusiness people and
government representatives offers sug-
gestions and advice and represents the
employers. The committee currently
meets to review the program twice per
year, at the end of the first and third
work periods.
Currently there are 11 students en-
rolled in Agricultural/Agribusiness co-
op education at WDSS. With the suc-
cess and enthusiasm of these students
and their teachers this valuable pro-
gram will very likely expand in the
coming years.0
Byron C. Monk, Chairman
Agricultural/Agribusiness Co-op
Education Advisory Committee
BCFA Directors' Meeting
Monday, February 24
OMAF Boardroom, Walkerton
8:00 p.m.
Members are welcome to attend
BRUCE COUNTY
FEDERATION
OF AGRICULTURE
1991-1992
COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Past -President — Bill Davis
President — Allan Smith
1st Vice -President — Byron Monk
2nd Vice -President — Tony Morris
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Bob Bregman, Jim Farrell, Ron
Garland, Grant Collins
REGIONAL DIRECTORS
Bruce North - Ken Kelly
Bruce South - Tony Morris