Cooperative Education
Mount Vernon Campus

What is Cooperative Education?

Cooperative Education (Co-op) is an educational program at Skagit Valley College that helps students apply classroom knowledge and theory to practical work situations. It is accomplished via a paid or volunteer employment position within the community that is related to the student's classroom study, educational, and career goals. The Cooperative Education program is a requirement for all students who earn an Associate in Technical Arts Degree.

Use the links at the left to learn more about the Cooperative Education program, and how SVC brings your work-based learning to life.

A Brief History of Cooperative Education

At the beginning of the twentieth century, work-based learning was split into two schools of thought: (1) schools should attempt to duplicate actual work conditions when training students, or (2) students should use off campus time (vacations, breaks and evenings) to acquire necessary workplace skills.

As the need for professionals with technical or business skills increased, learning gaps became apparent between what was taught on campus and actual work practices on the job. Colleges began to develop professional schools that specialized in engineering, business and commerce. The new line of thought for professional education required that theory and practice be more closely linked. A new system was developed that required cooperation between the college and local businesses. Students would alternate work and study for periods of time, bridging the gap between classroom lessons and workplace practices. The cooperative plan spread to many schools but was generally associated with only engineering colleges until after World War II.

 In 1957, the launch of Sputnik and the perception of a lack of technical competence caused industrial and educational leaders to question the effectiveness of American education. Studies were started to assess the potential of cooperative education in a broader range of technical subjects and industries. The National Commission for Cooperative Education (NCCE) was established in 1962, to promote this system of education in U.S. colleges.

Cooperative education expanded from sixty colleges in 1961 to over a thousand in 1989, through the efforts of new educational organizations and increased funding from Congress. In 1974, a new organization, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) was formed that provided colleges, companies, labor organizations, and state and local governments with tools and strategies needed to create practical, lifelong learning solutions. Many of the new strategies developed by the CAEL are currently in practice at most colleges and universities.

Over the years, the NCCE refined the Cooperative Education model into the program that currently functions at this college under the guidelines established for work-based learning set by the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges (SBCTC). Cooperative Education is now an integral part of the degree and certificate programs at Skagit Valley College. Cooperative Education has proven to be an important factor in selecting colleges for high school students. By integrating academic class work with paid or volunteer, progressive work experience in a related field, students can earn money to assist in college expenses, gain workplace skills, learn how to apply their education, and build connections and a resume to help with getting a job after graduation.

Benefits of Cooperative Education

Benefits for Students:

• Enhances classroom learning by integrating academic curriculum and real-world occupational experience.
• Confirms or redirects students' career decision-making through on-the-job experience in a chosen field.
• Improves job opportunities after graduation by giving students valuable work experience and contact with potential future employers.
• Teaches valuable job-search skills such as career assessment, résumé writing and interviewing techniques.
• Encourages completion of college for all students - from top performers to traditionally non-college bound students - by linking school to work and by providing networking links to future careers.

If you are a student contemplating your Cooperative Education experience, click here to learn more about how to take best advantage of this terrific opportunity.

             Benefits for Employers:

• Provides an excellent pool of well-prepared employees.
• Improves personnel selection process by using actual on-the-job performance as a basis for permanent hiring decisions.
• Increases cost-effectiveness of recruitment and training. Studies show employers save money by using co-op to identify and train personnel.
• Improves workforce diversity through access to minority students for permanent employment.
• Enhances human resource flexibility with effective short-term employees.
• Strengthens company relations with colleges and students. Through evaluations, advisory committees and other means, employers can work with colleges to ensure an effective curriculum.

If you are a business owner or manager and would like more information about how you can take advantage of this employee pool, click here or click the  Info For Employers link at the left side of this page.