Please note:
The DPI will be retiring the DPI State-Certified Co-op Program at the end of 2025-26 school year. This means that DPI will no longer maintain the DPI State-Certified Co-op Programs: DPI Occupational, Employability Skills, and Youth Leadership. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, DPI will continue to post a simplified version of the Co-op Program Guide as a resource for local use. Direct communication has been made with the LEAs that have participated in the program within the last year. More information is available here.
State Co-op Education Skills Standards: DPI Occupational
Wisconsin's State Coop Education Skills Standards programs are quality work-based learning options designed in partnership with business, industry and labor representatives, and educators around the integration of school-based and work-based learning and appropriate career development experiences. The program provides paid work experience for junior or senior high school students as part of their overall academic and career plan. Districts interested in participating in the State Certified Co-Op must register.
Districts offering the certified co-op programs must be able to support the following:
- Student learning for the completion of the competencies on the applicable program student portfolio checklist
- Two semesters of related classroom instruction integrating employability skills
- Paid work experience under the supervision of a workplace mentor for an average of 15 hours per week (minimum of 480 hours total)
- EXCEPTION: Youth Leadership Certificate for paid experience (minimum of 90 hours required)
- EXCEPTION: Employability Skills (minimum of 90 hours required)
- Career planning and placement based on the student’s academic and career plan and abilities
For more information on Certified Co-Op, consult Wisconsin's State-Certified Cooperative Education Program Guide.