Pathfinder Tech
Employer Co-op Information
The Cooperative Education Program at Pathfinder Tech is an optional experience offered to seniors and juniors (second half of junior year) who are at least 16 years of age and have a minimum of 1.5 years in their technical area. Through a collaborative arrangement between the school and employer, students have the opportunity to perform work-based learning as paid employees rather than coming to school on their tech week. To be eligible, students must have the recommendation of their technical program teachers, and meet the required grade, attendance, and discipline standards. Students must also have their OSHA 10-hour card; some technical areas may require additional certifications prior to entering the program.
Are you looking for conscientious, skilled, and knowledgeable employees for your organization? For more than 50 years Pathfinder Tech has been preparing students for entry-level employment. If your employment needs are in any of the following areas, please consider the opportunity of placing a student within your business.
EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES
The employer agrees to:
- Provide a safe and healthy work environment.
- Provide the school with a current Certificate of Worker’s Compensation Insurance.
- Ensure the student works hours equal to the school’s schedule, usually 30 hours (5 day week), as a minimum. Start and end times do not have to match with the school’s schedule.
- Assist in the development of a Work-Based Learning Plan; use plan to outline student goals as an employee.
- Follow all state and federal labor laws* as they apply to 16 and 17 year old students. Laws limit work to a maximum of 48 hours, 6 days per week, and no more than 9 hours per day (between 6:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. on nights preceding a regularly scheduled school day). The type of work a student performs may also be limited*. *Refer to State and Federal Labor Laws.
- Pay the student at a rate commensurate with your company’s policy.
- Be an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and be non-discriminatory in hiring and recruitment practices (Chapter 622, TITLE IX, and SECTION 504 of the REHABILITATION ACT).
- Agree to have any employee supervising the student undergo a CORI check (criminal records check) as required by state law.
- Evaluate the student on a weekly basis.
- Have periodic meetings with the Cooperative Education Coordinator to review the student’s progress.
- Complete a state required Work-Based Learning Plan evaluation ~ 2 to 4 times per year.
