Cooperative Work Experience

Thank you for your interest in the Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) program at Clackamas Community College. We want to make your CWE experience a success and will do everything we can to help. If you want to learn more about CWE or have any questions, please call us at 503-594-3096.

Click here for a quick review of our CWE Employer Guide.

Click here for detailed information of our CWE Employer Handbook.

What is Cooperative Work Experience?

Can I terminate a student if he or she is not meeting satisfactory standards?

Who pays the costs of workers' compensation insurance?

Who does what?

What is Cooperative Work Experience?

CWE prepares students to enter the workforce by combining academic studies with practical, on-the-job work experience. Students receive college credit for work related to their educational and career goals. To earn credit, they work 30 hours per college credit. In addition, they participate in a seminar to support job success and are evaluated on job performance at the end of the term. CWE is required for all professional/technical programs and can be a part of many transfer degree programs at Clackamas Community College.

Can I terminate a student if he or she is not meeting satisfactory standards?

Yes, you may treat a student as you would any other employee. Students are expected to abide by employer rules and regulations. Failure to do so may subject a student to disciplinary action by the employer and be reflected in the employer's evaluation of the student. Please inform the student's CWE program instructor of the situation.

Who pays the costs of workers' compensation insurance?

In a paid position, the employer is responsible for the cost of workers' compensation insurance. In an unpaid position, the college is responsible for the cost of the workers' compesation insurance.

Who does what?

Employers:

• Interview and hire students
• Sign a work agreement
• Approve student learning objectives
• Develop a work schedule
• Provide time to orient, train and give feedback to students
• Periodically review progress with students
• Meet twice during the term with the student and instructor at your worksite
• Evaluate student's performance at the end of the term
• Evaluate the CWE program
  

Students:

• Meet with an advisor and your CWE program instructor
• Complete a CWE application
• Submit resumes and interview with employers
• Register for appropriate CWE course and a CWE seminar
• Develop learning objectives and complete the work agreement
• Complete job assignments
• Work required hours for the number of credits enrolled
• Collaborate with instructor and employer

CWE Program Instructors:

• Assist students with CWE job placement
• Approve work site and role for college credit
• Assist students in developing learning objectives and completing a work agreement
• Review progress with employer and student at the worksite mid-term
• Maintain records of students participating in CWE
• Meet with employer and student to grade student's performance at end of term
• Calculate final grades based on employer and seminar instructor feedback
• Assist employers with forms and questions as needed

Purpose of the Work Agreement:

• Define student's start/end dates
• Define student's work hours
• Outline student's job duties
• Verify student's wage rate if a paid position
• Identify student's desired job activities
• Clarify your expectations of the student
• Focus on student's accomplishments
• Allow for measurement of student progress

Last Updated: 2/23/10