The Benefits

Student employees have received prior training in safety procedures and occupational skills as well as obtain OSHA 10 hour card
Cost effective recruitment of quality employees eager to succeed in their career vocational technical area
Students develop maturity and confidence in their career skills resulting in a strong human resource for the employer
Providing opportunities for local youth creates public relations between business, the school and the community at large

The Responsiblities

Sign a Cooperative Education Agreement outlining the training our student will receive
Provide a Certificate of Liability showing workers' compensation coverage
Pay wages comparable to those of other employees doing similar tasks
Agree to follow CCT’s non-discrimination policy
Provide Co-op students with tasks of a productive nature that serve as an extension of the student’s Career Vocational Technical Training
Evaluate student's weekly performance on student time sheets
Provide periodic assessments on student’s overall progress

Co-op Agreement

A Co-op Agreement is required for every student participating in our Co-op Program who is employed at your company.

MA CORI Check

The supervisor of the student must fill out a Massachusetts Criminal Records Check.

Insurance Certificate

You must submit a copy of your certificate of insurance

Work Site Visit

You will be contacted by a school administrator or student shop instructor to coordinate a visit date.

Fequently Asked Questions

Q: How many hours does a student need to work?
A: A student is required to work a minimum of 30 hours during their scheduled shop cycle. Students are authorized to work more within the confines of the MA child labor laws.
Q: Do I need to pay the student?
A: Under the program, it is an expectation that the student will receive at least the state minimum wage of $15.00 per hour or be compensated at the same rate as employees with similar skill sets. There are exceptions to payment when an opportunity for a time-limited externship is approved by CCT administration.
Q: Can the student be paid on a 1099 as an independent contractor or do they have to be on the payroll?
A: Under the state guidelines of the program and because Co-Op students do not meet U.S. Dept. of Labor Darden Factors guidelines of an independent contractor, they can not be paid as an independent contractor. They must be paid on a W-4 and have taxes withheld and paid on regular payroll.
Q: Does a student work every week?
A: No, the student follows the Cape Cod Tech's school schedule which has a rotating 2-week schedule of academics and vocation. The schedule is available to all employers at the beginning of each school year. It is at the discretion of the student and the employer if the student works during vacations, holidays, or any other days that are not listed as vocational training days. (The calendar can be found on the CCT's Co-Op Website under Community
Q: What happens in inclement weather?
A: Students are advised that if they are scheduled to work and inclement weather occurs, they should abide by what the employer has established. For example, if school is canceled due to snow, students are advised that they do not automatically have a snow day and should communicate with their employer on what their expectations are on their schedule for the day. Students should never jeopardize their personal safety during inclement weather.
Q: Can the students work after school on their academic weeks at their Co-op employer?
A: Yes, many students do work part-time/weekends for their Co-op employer during their academic weeks. The choice to do so is voluntary of the student and employer and is treated as part-time employment during those weeks. Requesting a student to miss school to attend work at any time would be a direct violation of the CCT Co-op employer agreement and could lead to the employer being removed from the Co-op program.

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Q: How often do I need to grade the student?‍
A: Every week when a student works on a Co-op assignment, an assessment must be performed of the student's performance. Students will provide the direct supervisor with a weekly timesheet to be completed. The supervisor will provide feedback on the student's performance and confirm the student's hours worked. Students are responsible for the submission of weekly time cards.
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