Helping Students Develop the Workplace Skills Employers Value Most
One of the questions educators hear most often from students preparing for co-op is:
“What are employers actually looking for?”
Many students assume employers expect them to arrive with technical knowledge, years of experience, or highly developed industry skills.
Most employers know that isn’t realistic.
They understand they are welcoming secondary school students into the workplace—many for their very first professional experience. They don’t expect perfection.
What they do expect are students who demonstrate curiosity, professionalism, reliability, and a willingness to learn.
For teachers, guidance counsellors, SHSM Leads, and co-op teachers, understanding what employers truly value can help shape classroom discussions, pre-placement preparation, and student coaching.
When schools intentionally develop these workplace behaviours before students begin co-op, everyone benefits. Students have more successful placements, employers enjoy mentoring young people, and schools build stronger community partnerships.
Employers Hire for Attitude Before They Hire for Ability
One of the biggest misconceptions among students is that employers are primarily evaluating technical skills.
In reality, most co-op employers recognize that technical skills can be taught.
Professional attitude is much more difficult to develop.
Students who demonstrate enthusiasm, curiosity, respect, and a positive attitude consistently leave stronger impressions than students who possess technical knowledge but lack professionalism.
Teachers can reinforce this message throughout the school year.
Students should understand that arriving eager to learn is often more valuable than arriving believing they already know everything.
Reliability Is Often the First Skill Employers Notice
Ask almost any employer what makes a successful co-op student, and reliability will appear near the top of the list.
Reliability includes behaviours such as:
- Arriving on time
- Following through on commitments
- Communicating when problems arise
- Completing assigned tasks
- Demonstrating consistency
- Respecting workplace expectations
These behaviours may seem simple, but employers frequently identify them as indicators of future employability.
Co-op provides an ideal opportunity for students to develop these habits while still receiving support from their school.
Communication Skills Matter in Every Industry
Whether students are working in healthcare, construction, business, hospitality, manufacturing, technology, or community services, communication remains one of the most important employability skills.
Employers appreciate students who can:
- Ask thoughtful questions.
- Listen carefully to instructions.
- Speak respectfully with colleagues and clients.
- Write professional emails.
- Accept constructive feedback.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, communication and collaboration continue to rank among the most important skills employers seek as workplaces become increasingly technology-driven.
These skills can—and should—be practiced long before students begin their placements.
Curiosity Creates Better Learning Experiences
The strongest co-op students are often the most curious.
Rather than waiting to be told what to do next, they ask questions such as:
- How did you get into this career?
- What do you enjoy most about your work?
- What challenges does your organization face?
- What advice would you give someone entering this field?
- What skills are becoming more important?
These conversations help students better understand industries while demonstrating genuine interest to employers.
Educators can encourage curiosity by having students prepare workplace questions before the placement begins.
Employers Value Students Who Accept Feedback
Receiving feedback can be uncomfortable, especially for students entering their first professional environment.
However, employers consistently appreciate students who respond positively to coaching.
Students who listen carefully, ask clarifying questions, and demonstrate improvement over time often leave stronger impressions than students who rarely make mistakes but resist feedback.
Teachers can help normalize constructive feedback before placements begin by incorporating reflection, peer feedback, and revision into classroom learning.
Professionalism Begins Before the First Day
Many employers begin forming opinions before students even enter the workplace.
Initial emails.
Phone conversations.
Interview behaviour.
Punctuality.
Preparation.
Professional communication.
These early interactions influence employer confidence long before the placement officially begins.
Helping students understand professional etiquette is one of the simplest ways schools can improve co-op outcomes.
Problem-Solving and Adaptability Matter More Than Ever
Today’s workplaces change quickly.
Unexpected situations arise.
Schedules shift.
Technology changes.
Customers have different needs.
Employers increasingly value students who remain calm, adaptable, and willing to help wherever needed.
The World Economic Forum identifies adaptability and resilience among the most important future workforce skills, reflecting the reality that technical knowledge alone is no longer enough.
Experiential learning, SHSM activities, and project-based learning all provide opportunities to develop these qualities before students enter the workplace.
Safety and Responsibility Build Employer Confidence
Employers also expect students to understand their responsibilities regarding workplace safety.
Students who demonstrate awareness of health and safety procedures, ask questions when uncertain, and follow workplace protocols help build trust quickly.
This is one reason SHSM certifications are so valuable.
Training such as:
- WHMIS
- First Aid
- CPR
- Health and Safety Awareness
- Sector-specific safety certifications
helps students enter placements with greater confidence while reassuring employers that foundational workplace expectations have already been introduced.
Schools frequently partner with organizations such as Flashpoint SHSM Solutions to deliver these certifications, helping students develop workplace readiness before beginning co-op.
Reflection Helps Turn Experience Into Growth
Employers appreciate students who learn from experience.
Encouraging students to reflect regularly helps reinforce workplace learning.
Teachers may wish to ask students:
- What challenged you today?
- What new skill did you develop?
- What surprised you?
- What would you do differently tomorrow?
- How has this experience changed your thinking about your future?
Reflection strengthens career awareness while helping students recognize their own progress.
Helping Students Develop Employability Before They Leave School
Perhaps the greatest lesson educators can teach is that employability begins long before graduation.
Students who develop professionalism, communication, reliability, adaptability, curiosity, and workplace confidence during secondary school are better prepared not only for co-op, but also for university, college, apprenticeships, and future employment.
Ontario’s labour market increasingly rewards these transferable skills.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, employers continue to prioritize communication, analytical thinking, collaboration, resilience, leadership, and lifelong learning as workplaces evolve through technology and artificial intelligence.
SHSM and co-op education provide authentic opportunities for students to begin developing these competencies while they still have the guidance and support of their schools.
Final Thoughts
Technical skills may help students perform specific tasks, but employability is built on something much broader.
Teachers, guidance counsellors, SHSM Leads, and co-op educators have a unique opportunity to help students develop the attitudes, behaviours, and professional habits that employers consistently value.
When schools intentionally prepare students before placements begin, employers gain confidence in partnering with education, students enjoy more meaningful learning experiences, and communities benefit from stronger school-workplace relationships.
Ultimately, the most successful co-op students are rarely those who know the most on day one.
They are the students who arrive prepared to learn.
Sources & Labour Market Data
World Economic Forum – Future of Jobs Report 2025
- Analytical thinking, communication, collaboration, resilience, adaptability, and leadership remain among the most in-demand workforce skills identified by employers globally.
Conference Board of Canada
- Canadian employers consistently identify employability skills—including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professionalism—as critical to workforce success.
Government of Canada – Skills for Success Framework
- The federal Skills for Success framework identifies communication, collaboration, adaptability, creativity, problem-solving, and continuous learning as foundational workplace competencies across sectors.
Ontario Ministry of Education
- Cooperative Education and SHSM programs emphasize experiential learning, workplace readiness, and the development of transferable employability skills.