Work Based Learning

Cooperative Education

Program Eligibility

Students must meet and maintain the following eligibility requirements to participate in Cooperative Education:

1. Students must have a seventy percent (70%) grade average or higher in all subjects to participate in the Cooperative Education Program.
2. The Cooperative Education placement must relate to their Career and Technical Program of Study.
3. Students must complete all required forms and report to the Cooperative Education Coordinator.
4. Students must receive approval from the professional staff.
5. Students must have a positive attitude toward their career objectives, school, and community.
6. The student must have a satisfactory discipline and attendance record.
7. Student must provide their own transportation to and from work.
8. Any student under eighteen (18) years of age must have a transferable work permit.
9. No student may participate in Cooperative Education without being covered under a Worker’s Compensation Policy. (A student may work with a relative as long as the relative covers the student under a Worker’s Compensation Policy.)
10. Students must have a junior physical on file with the nurse before participating in Cooperative Education.
11. Students must have proof of health insurance.
12. Students will have no outstanding obligations in the business office.
13. Students must submit a resume and Cooperative Education application.

Assignments

Weekly

• Complete Written Work Reports
• Turn in Verified Signed Time Sheets
• When paid, turn in Paystub
• Meet with Program Instructor each week

Monthly

• Attend Monthly Mandatory Co-op Meetings

If sick, contact employer and Mrs. Custer via REMIND

Grading

GRADING CRITERIA: The following criterion is used to determine the student’s grade in the
Cooperative Education Program:

• Submission (on time) of weekly Time Card, Hours, Pay Stubs
• Regular Attendance without tardiness
• Submission (on time) Work Reports/Cooperative Education Assignments
• Attendance at Weekly Meetings Program Instructor and the Co-Op Coordinator

Employer Evaluation, including but not limited to:

• Personality, Quality of Work Work, Attitude, Attendance, Imitative, Quantity of Work, Housekeeping,
  Responsibility, Communication, Safety

WRITING ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS: Please follow the Collins 3 writing guidelines and submit using Weekly
Work Report Google Form located in the Cooperative Education Schoology Course.

FCAs:

Writing components:

• Use of complete sentences (5 points)
• Use of correct spelling (5 points)
• Use of correct punctuation (5 points)
• Use of correct capitalization (5 points)

Content components:

• Use of detailed description (20 points)
• Accurate use of Program of Study terminology – (10 points)

Weekly Work Report Overview

Collins – Part I

Choose one TASK you completed on the job DAILY and describe:

• Knowledge you applied to the task
• Challenges occurred during the task
• Result/success of the final task

Collins – Part II

Choose one COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCE with a co-worker, supervisor, or customer and describe:

• Details of communication
• Outcome of experience
• Was outcome positive or negative? If negative, how could you have impacted the outcome?

Career Readiness

pacareerlink.pa.gov

Work Permit

Work Permits for Minors FAQ

Work Permit Application

Employer Overview

Employers interested in hiring a student through the Capstone Cooperative Education Program must:

• Provide proof of Workman’s Compensation Insurance Coverage
• Provide clearances (see Clearances)
• Provide quarterly evaluations
• Mentor students
• Adhere to the agreed upon Training Plan
• Allow site visits and remain in contact with Work Based Learning Coordinator

Employer Checklist

• Training Plan completed and signed
• Training Agreement completed and signed
• Proof of employer’s Workman’s Compensation Insurance
• Act 34, Act 151 and Act 114 Clearances must be provided by the employer for the student’s supervisor.
• Employer must comply with the Child Labor Law Rules and Regulations.
• Cooperative Education Rules and Regulations reviewed:
• Student absent from school or having unexcused tardy results in students not being permitted to
  work on that day
• Student is required to attend mandatory meetings, conferences, tests and assemblies throughout
  the school year. Student will keep employer up to date on all school activities. A copy of the
  school calendar is provided.
• Work schedules will be submitted in advance to the Cooperative Education Coordinator.
• Time cards and paystubs must be submitted by the student to the Cooperative Education
  Coordinator.
• Weekly Work Reports must be submitted weekly by the student and employer can view these reports
  when requested.
• Students assigned to ISS, OSS, or detentions will be removed from Co-op during the disciplinary
  action.
• Students with a grade lower than 70% in any class will temporarily be removed from Co-op until
  their grade improves.
• Students may work during school vacations.
• Supervisors must complete a quarterly evaluation rubric.

Questions: Call Joanne Custer, Work Based Learning Coordinator at 717-652-3170 Ext. 7118 or Barb Lanker, Work Based Learning Assistant, at Ext. 7441 or via e-mail at jcuster@dcts.org

Clearances

Volunteer Disclosure Statement

ALL EMPLOYERS MUST HAVE CLEARANCES FOR DESIGNATED ADULT SUPERVISOR OF MINOR EMPLOYEES (AGES 14-17)

Clearance instructions and links:

• Act 34 Criminal Background Check (PATCH): Can be processed on the PA State Police website at
  epatch.state.pa.us The
  background check is free to volunteers. Clearance results are usually received online. Volunteer
  Clearance
• Act 151 Child Abuse Clearance: Volunteer Clearance Child abuse clearances can be processed on
  line at compass.state.pa.us Online applicants are required to create an account.
• Signed Disclosure Statement of Volunteers required by Child Protective Service Law (See link above)
  If supervisor has lived in Pennsylvania for less than 10 years, the following clearance is required:
• Act 114 FBI Federal Criminal History Record: In order to obtain the FBI clearance, you must first
  pre-register at
  uenroll.identogo.com The cost is $22.60.
• Service Code: 1KG6NX
  (You will need to enter this code to begin your pre-registration.)
• Select preferred fingerprint location and complete the fingerprinting collection process. You
  must present a valid photo ID and proof of registration. Acceptable forms of ID are available
  when registering online
• Share the provided UEID code with the Cooperative Education Coordinator

Industry Partners

Child Labor Laws

PA Department of Labor and Industry

PA Department of Labor & Industry Bureau of Labor Law Compliance

US Department of Labor

Dauphin County Technical School provides a Capstone Cooperative Education Program. Students approved for
this program qualify as Student Learners, qualifying for the exemptions. Here is an example:

§ 11.31. Employment of minors on outside electrical wiring.

Employment of minors under 18 years of age on outside electrical wiring is prohibited, except for
apprentices, student learners, and graduates of an approved vocational, technical, or industrial
education curriculum which prepared them for employment in the specific occupation.

Student learners – Minors enrolled in a course of study and training in a cooperative vocational
training program under a recognized state or local educational authority or in a course of study in a
substantially similar program conducted by a private school and employed under a written agreement which
provides the following:

1. That the work of the student learner in the occupations declared particularly hazardous shall be
   incidental to his training.
2. That such work shall be intermittent and for short periods of time and under the direct and close
   supervision of a qualified and experienced person.
3. That safety instructions shall be given by the school and correlated by the employer with on-the-job
   training.
4. That a schedule of organized and progressive work processes to be performed on the job shall have
   been prepared. Each such written agreement shall contain the name of the student learner and shall
   be signed by the employer and the school coordinator or principal. Copies of each agreement shall be
   kept on file by both the school and the employer.

Act – The Child Labor Law (43 P. S. §§ 41-71)

Testimonials

“The participants in the Work Based Learning Program have been a pleasure to mentor. They have always been attentive, on time and receptive to feedback.” Patrick J. Bosworth, Deputy Executive Director – Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin

“We were excited about being part of the co-op program for the first time. Every local business has the responsibility of directing the future workforce, we can make the difference we all hope to see!” – Home Time Renovations

“Integrating well-educated students into our workforce for real-world experience is a mutually beneficial relationship. Students coming out of DC Tech program are a benefit to Feeser’s and have contributed immediately.” – Kerry Mullen, Marketing Manager

“The Cooperative Education program is beneficial to help you get the jump start in your program of study through on-the-job learning, continued education in your field, and opportunities that will allow you to become the professional you want to be.” Gabby Hate – Cosmetology Class of 2019 Legion Hair Studio

“We have enjoyed our relationship with Dauphin County Technical school. Joanne and her team have provided well trained students to extern in our offices, many of which have then become our employees following graduation.” Sue Paul, Vice President of Human Resources, Verber Dental Group

“We believe participating in DCTS’s Co-op Program is a win-win. A student’s win is immediate, gaining on-the-job experience. An employer’s win is long lasting, gaining exposure to bright and energetic students who inspire re-structuring to custom-fit tomorrow’s leaders.” Radle Electric

DCTS has done a fantastic job promoting and supporting the Co-op program for the benefit of both the students and us as an employer. We have had students from the electrical program Co-op with our company for years and have hired some of the best and brightest to be on our team to continue their careers. These young folks have the opportunity to make sure they like the company atmosphere, and we have the ability to witness their engagement and work ethic first hand. This has been very successful for us and the students, and we are looking forward to the next class coming up to continue our growth.”Bruce Seilhammer, ECS Group Manager SECCO Electric

“Faulkner Subaru loves the partnership we have with DCTS. The need for automotive technicians is very high and this program provides the opportunity to help grow these co-op students into a career path where they can succeed and become long term, happy employees. The experience gained will assist in developing confidence, responsibility, social skills, and continued motivation to learn.”Joie Bollman, Service Manager – Faulkner Subaru