Credits@Work

Credits@Work is a program that supports employees balancing school and work. It is an opportunity to earn co-op credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), while on the job. This is a great opportunity for employees with a strong desire to complete their education to obtain credits toward their diploma, while being paid. It is also a great opportunity for employers to ensure they have a skilled workforce.

  • Are you currently working and getting a regular pay cheque?
  • Do you still need your high school diploma?
  • Do you have access to a computer and the internet?

Who is Eligible ?

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Credits@Work program, students must:

  • Be currently employed or volunteering either full or part-time within the Waterloo Region
  • Be working toward completing a high school diploma

ID Requirements:

  1. Proof of Status in Canada (any of the following):
    • Permanent Resident Card
    • Refugee Papers and Photo ID
    • Status Card and Photo ID
    • Canadian Birth Certificate and Photo ID
    • Canadian Citizenship Card or Certificate and Photo ID
    • Canadian Passport
  2. Photo ID (to accompany any documents listed above without a photo, we cannot accept a Health Card)
  3. High School Transcript, Graduation Credit Summary, or Canadian Language Benchmarks
  4. Proof of Current Mailing Address — we cannot accept a Driver’s License or Cellphone Bill, but can accept any of the following:
    • Utility Bill (Water, Gas, or Electricity)
    • Property Tax Bill
    • Home Phone/Internet/ Cable Bill
    • Purchase/ Rental/ Lease Agreement
    • Bank Document
    • Report Card

Language Requirements

  • Students who wish to earn secondary school credits through Credits@Work and previously attended or are currently attending ESL/LINC classes must provide verification of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 6 in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Current High School Students

  • Students who attended regular high school in the last year must have a Principal to Principal Transfer Request Form sent to St. Louis prior to registration.  Ask your current high school Guidance Counsellor to initiate this transfer request form.

The first co-op credit through the Credits@Work program will be granted with 90 hours of work. Show your paystub as proof of work. You will also be required to complete 20 hours to complete an online component (total 110 hours). The course component will attempt to relate to your on-the-job skills.

For each Credits@Work Co-op credit thereafter, 110 hours must be completed.

Up to two credits can be applied towards compulsory high school credits.

There is no limit on earning optional co-op credits.

Employers prefer a skilled labour force that has the minimum standard of education.

An Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is considered a minimum standard.  Employees who complete their Grade 12 while working show improved problem solving abilities, reading, writing and numeracy skills essential in the workplace. As an employer, show your staff a gesture of support toward their educational or career goals, at NO COST to the company.

This program would only require minimal time and no cost on the part of the employer.

There is no cost to students / employees to enrol in Credits@Work.

New St. Louis Student (throughout Waterloo Region

Please complete the Guidance Intake Form AFTER January 8th and you will be contacted by a St. Louis guidance counsellor. Your Guidance Counsellor will discuss the additional documentation including a Credits@Work Program Application Form to completed in order to be enrolled in Credits@Work.

Returning or Current WCDSB student

  1. Request a Credits@Work Application Form from your St. Louis Guidance Counsellor
  2. Your Guidance Counsellor will send an email and Credit Counselling Summary (CCS) to stlouisguidance@wcdsb.ca with course request and approval.
  3. Once it has been approved, you will then receive the necessary forms and information from our Credits@Work administrative assistant.

Completed Credits@Work credits and all of your OSSD Requirements (including your 40 hours of community activities)?

Current Students: You must let Guidance know before Aug 31 that you have completed all your credits and that you intend to graduate with us.  Ontario Secondary School Diplomas (OSSD) are issued only once a year.

If you are a current student completing your last few credits, and all of your OSSD Requirements (including your 40 hours of community service), please be sure to complete an Intent to Graduate Form. Only current students can complete the Intent to Graduate Form, all others must complete the Guidance Intake Form.

The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is an important Ministry of Education document that many employers require proof of and we like to celebrate with you.

For more information:

Contact St. Louis Guidance Counsellors by completing the Guidance Intake Form  – available Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm during our office hours. A guidance counsellor will contact you within 1-2 business days.

Guidance Email for sending documents only : StLouisGuidance@wcdsb.ca

Transcript Inquiries: Mary.Germann@wcdsb.ca   Guidance Dept. Administrative Assistant