Summer Credit Programs

Summer Co-op

Eligibility
Summer Co-op is open to students who are 14 years of age or older. Both current secondary school students and adult learners can apply.

Program Description
Continuing Education’s Summer Co-op program gives students the opportunity to earn two co-op credits over the summer while gaining real-world work experience.

The program begins in May and June with a combination of learning formats. Students take part in one in-person class each week, along with one remote, self-guided lesson each week. These sessions help prepare students for their work placements.

In July, students move into their co-op placements. They work weekdays for approximately 7 hours per day, building skills and experience in a real workplace setting.

All Summer Co-op placements arranged through HWDSB must take place within HWDSB boundaries and must occur during regular daytime hours.

Students from out-of-board / outside HWDSB can apply for Summer Co-op: OOB students start here

2026 Summer Co-op registration is now closed.

Please check back in March 2027 for registration details for Summer 2027.

Note: Summer Co-op Central Placements may close earlier or later, at employers’ direction.

Steps 1 & 2

STEP 1 – COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION

Complete 2 steps to register for Summer Co-op:

  1. Register in myBlueprint AND 
  2. Complete this MS Form

DEADLINES TO APPLY:

Summer Co-op Application deadline is April 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Central Placement Applications deadlines vary. Check the 2026 Central Placement Co-op webpage (linked in your confirmation email) for employer-specific deadlines.

 

STEP 2 – ATTEND PRE-PLACEMENT CLASSES: Thursdays, May 7 to June 18, 2026

To prepare for Summer Co-op placements, all students must attend the mandatory co-op pre-placement classes at Hill Park Learning Centre (465 E 16th St., Hamilton).  

  • In-person classes run Thursdays, from May 7 – June 11, 2026, from 6 – 9 p.m.
  • Three hours of remote learning/placement searching are expected weekly.
  • Thursday, June 18, 2026 is an optional/make-up class.

 

2026 SUMMER CO-OP CALENDAR

Steps 3, 4 & 5

STEP 3 – SEARCH FOR A PLACEMENT:  May 7 - June 18, 2026

Search for a placement using the following guidelines:

  • Source your own employer/contact OR search MTEL for HWDSB Summer Co-op opportunities (will be discussed at pre-placement sessions).
  • Apply to potential employers/volunteer opportunities.
  • All placements must be within the boundaries of the HWDSB school district and during daytime hours.
  • Ideally, you should have a placement secured by June 11, 2026.

 

STEP 4 – FINISH PRE-PLACEMENT: By June 18, 2026

  • Complete all the pre-placement course assignments by June 11, 2026.  
  • An optional/make-up class is available on June 18, 2026.  If you are struggling to complete your work within the designated timelines, please discuss your options with your Co-op teacher.

 

STEP 5 – SECURE PLACEMENT: June 12, 2026, by 11 a.m.

Once you secure a placement, complete the Placement Confirmation Form. (available starting May 7, 2026)

Steps 6, 7 & 8

STEP 6 – FIRST DAY at CO-OP - JULY 2, 2026 

  • If your Co-op Placement is CONFIRMED:
    • July 2 is your first day at your placement.  
    • Attend your placement as discussed with your “employer”.
  • If your Co-op placement IS NOT CONFIRMED:
    • Students without a confirmed placement should attend Hill Park Learning Centre at 9:00 a.m.
    • All Co-op teachers will be at Hill Park Learning Centre (465 E 16th St., Hamilton, ON) on July 2, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to address the needs of students who ARE NOT CO-OP READY.  For example:
      • Do not have the required WEA forms, OR
      • Have not completed the pre-placement course, OR 
      • Do not have a secured placement, OR
      • Do not have access to MTEL

 

STEP 7 – ATTEND PLACEMENT: JULY 2 – 31, 2026

  • Attend placement daily for 7 hours per day
  • Complete daily log sheets (using MTEL)
  • A mid-term report and a final assignment will be given.  
  • Details for mid-term reports will be provided between July 6-10, 2026.
  • Co-op teachers will conduct up to 3 workplace visits.

 

STEP 8 – Earn Credits/Session Complete: July 31, 2026 

  • July 31, 2026 is the last day of the Summer Co-op Session.  
  • Providing all course expectations have been met, students will earn two (2) credits. 
  • Continuing Education HWDSB will send marks to applicable home schools electronically.

Students are limited to choose ONE summer program each year.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Continuing Education by phone at 905-561-2190 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Summer Co-op staff will be available at [email protected] starting May 5, 2026.