History of OCEA
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The Ontario Cooperative Education Association (OCEA) grew out of established work experience and community programs, with origins dating back to 1938.
The direct effort to form an association began in the autumn of 1974 when Ted Knott (Hamilton) and Jack Ulan (North York) met and agreed on the need for educators to share ideas. The first meeting, organized by Jack Ulan in 1975, brought together coordinators to discuss holding regular meetings and a potential affiliation.
A steering committee (Jack Ulan, Ted Knott and Ernie Nielsen) explored the association's objectives, and the first official annual general meeting of the Ontario Cooperative Education Association was held on April 20, 1976. The name was chosen, an interim constitution was approved and the first executive was formed: Jack Ulan (president), Ted Knott (secretary) and Ernie Nielsen (treasurer).
The organization received a significant boost at its first annual conference at the Inn-on-the-Park in February 1976, which was co-sponsored by provincial and federal funds. The timing was crucial, as the Department of Education had released an agenda for HS1 (the curriculum guideline) authorizing cooperative education just two months earlier, thus legitimizing Co-op and leading to rapid membership growth. Within seven years, the Co-op Association had established itself as the voice of cooperative education across the province.
OCEA Creation
Growth and Consolidation
Post-1989 Developments
April 1975 – January 1976
Initial meetings and contacts between key people (Ted Knott and Jack Ulan) to discuss education at work.
February 1976
The first meeting of interested parties (16 people) was held under the auspices of the "Bridging-the-Gap Committee" in Toronto, leading to the formation of a Steering Committee (Jack Ulan, Ted Knott, Ernie Nielsen) to explore the formation of an association.
March 1976
The Ministry of Education published an addendum to HS1 outlining guidelines for cooperative education in secondary schools, coinciding with the first organizational efforts. The Steering Committee also began meeting regularly.
March 1976
The Ministry of Education published an addendum to HS1 outlining guidelines for cooperative education in secondary schools, coinciding with the first organizational efforts. The Steering Committee also began meeting regularly.
April 1976
Further plenary meetings were held to discuss potential affiliations, drafting the constitution, and selecting the name "Ontario Co-operative Education Association" (OCEA). The Executive Committee was elected as the first officers (Jack Ulan, President/Chair of the Board; Ted Knott, Executive Secretary/Secretary; Ernie Nielsen, Treasurer), and a provisional constitution was approved.
June 1976
Efforts to affiliate with C.A.F.C.E. were concluded without success.
October 1976
The fourth meeting took place (33 people present), and the OCEA agreed to organize its first conference.
1977
The Ministry of Education has established official guidelines for Cooperation as a legitimate teaching method (no longer requiring "experimental approval").
1978
First federal funding for Cooperation.
1978 (February)
First Provincial Conference on Cooperation (250 delegates at the Inn-On-The-Park, Toronto), organized by the North York School Board; Membership increases from 40 to over 200 members; Bank balance of $5,000.00 (later cited as $8,000.00).
1979
New edition of HS 1 published, including a section specifically on policies and procedures for Cooperation.
1980
First Co-operative Education Coordinators Course, Erindale College, chaired by Jack Ulan and Dr. John Sim; OCEA submits a memorandum on cooperative education to the Secondary Education Review Project Committee.
1981
Publication by the Ministry of the SERP report (recommending increased use of Cooperation).
1982
Ted Knott, Chairman of the OCEA (1982-1984), writes "How did the OCEA begin?"; Publication by the Department of an official "Response" to the SERP report (promising increased support); First PQ Cooperation course (Part 1, Queen's University).
1983
Memorandum No. 76A establishing workers' compensation coverage for students in work education programs.
1984
Publication of the OS-IS, partially expanding the official guidelines of the Ministry for Cooperation courses.
June 1, 1984
OCEA Ontario Education Association Inc. has been incorporated.
1985
Memorandum No. 11 establishing separate credit entries for workplace and school-based components.
1986
Provincial Cooperation Funds accepted by 103 school boards (3 years: resource persons and transportation costs). Ted Knott writes "The Historical Roots of the OCEA".
1987
Approval by the OSSTF of the Cooperation Specialist as a "first specialist" certification.
1989
World Cooperation Conference held in Hamilton, Ontario (August); New MOE policy and procedure document published (September) (George King credited with producing the first document: Cooperative Education - Policies and Procedures for Ontario Secondary Schools, 1989).
1990s
Last provincial funding incentive distributed (Quality, Partnerships and New Directions).
2000
Interviews with Life-Time Member Tom Douglas and Past President Ted Knott conducted.
Today
OCEA has over 700 members; over 70,000 students in the cooperative education program each year.