Thank you for your interest in Cooperative Education at Central Piedmont Community College!

Cooperative Education (Co-op) is an academic class, where a student applies classroom learning in the workplace. Students are placed in jobs directly related to their field of study and work a specified number of hours over the semester in order to complete their Co-op and receive class credit. Co-op is very similar to an internship, and the term is used interchangeably at some colleges and universities.

Co-op starts at the beginning of every semester at CPCC, usually in August, January, and May. If your company is interested in having a Co-op student, please call our office 4-8 weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Co-op has several benefits for employers:

• Gives employers the ability to evaluate potential employees before making a long-term commitment, reducing personnel costs;
• Provides access to candidates with sought-after skills or background;
• Increases staff diversity;
• Allows for a partnership with local schools, helping to shape the future workforce.

Co-op is either a required class or a technical elective in over 50 programs of study at CPCC. Please see our list of Approved Programs.

Getting the Co-op process started is easy!

• Call our Co-op office at (704) 330-6217;
• Ask to speak with a Co-op Coordinator, who will discuss becoming an Employer Partner;
• Review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for employers;
• Review the Cooperative Education Agreement;
• Complete the Employer Position Request & submit via fax (704-330-6201) or email
  (co-op@cpcc.edu).