Capturing the Student Voice is Ontario Cooperative Education Association’s (OECA)

journal that gathers stories from Ontario high school students who have participated in Cooperative Education courses. 

In the September edition, two students from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School (STA) in Tottenham are featured. They share first hand experiences in their own words, describing the tasks performed, the challenges faced, and how they've grown through their placements. The journal highlights the real-world benefits of Cooperative Education. It provides a platform for students to share their unique perspectives. 

“Overall, the co-op experience contributes significantly to the personal growth of students,” says Theresa Birmingham, a co-op teacher at STA, “It helps them develop into well-rounded, confident and capable individuals.

 One of the featured students has taken a significant step in their career journey, signing on with Trillium Ford as an Apprentice through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). This opportunity marks an exciting transition from their co-op placement to a professional role in the automotive industry.