CAREER PROGRAMS

Background

Through purposeful career-life development, students learn to recognize their evolving interests and strengths, refine their learning goals and apply this self-knowledge to exploration of post graduation possibilities in diverse educational, work-related and personal life contexts.  Career Programs are important learning opportunities for students as they prepare to transition from secondary schools.  Career Programs include Work Experience (WEX), Youth Work in Trade Apprenticeships (YWIT) and Career Life Education (CLE) and Career Life Connections (CLC).

Work Experience (WEX) gives students the opportunity to participate in, observe, and learn about the tasks and responsibilities related to an occupation or career.

Youth Work in Trade Apprenticeship (YWIT) is an educational program jointly supported by the Ministry of Education and the Industry Training Authority (ITA).   In Career Life Education (CLE) and Career Life Connections (CLC) students learn how to effectively manage their life journey toward preferred future possibilities, developing the confidence, knowledge and competencies necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world.

In the implementation of Career Programs, the standards for Ministry Work Experience and Youth Work in Trade Apprenticeship must be upheld with an emphasis on work-site safety and student conduct.

Procedures

1. Work Experience (WEX)
   1. In accordance with Ministry of Education policies, Work Experience Ministerial Order 237/11, and the Work Experience Program Guide, the District authorizes participation in Work Experience programs for students who are fourteen (14) years of age or older.
   2. District staff are responsible for guidelines regarding conduct, supervision, evaluation, and participation of students as required by Work Experience Order MO237/11 and Elective Work Experience Courses and Workplace Safety Policy.
   3. The Assistant Superintendent is responsible to ensure that, in accordance with Ministry guidelines and District administrative procedures, all documentation is completed and filed with specific attention to the Work Experience Placement Agreement 237/11(MO33/09) and WorkSafe BC Clearance Letter.
   4. All Work Experience placements help prepare students for the transition from secondary school to the world of work, for further education and training, or for other post-graduation opportunities.
   5. All work experience students must be supervised by a designated on-site Work Site Employer that is subject to the Worker’s Compensation Act, and monitored and evaluated by a District educator in accordance with the Program Guide for Ministry-Authorized Work Experience Course guidelines.
   6. Compliance with WorkSafe BC standards and procedures is mandatory, with an emphasis on the orientation by a supervising educator before a workplace placement commences.
   7. Students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are to have access to career education opportunities if one or more career objectives are identified in the student’s IEP.  Within the regular curriculum, accommodations for students with an IEP may include:
      1. Increased time for employment training;
      2. Appropriate on-site supervision and support in the workplace; and,
      3. Specific and direct opportunities to increase work related skills.
2. Youth Work in Trade Apprenticeship (YWIT)
   1. In accordance with Ministry of Education policies, Youth Work in Trade Apprenticeship authorizes students who are fourteen (14) years of age or older, and in grade 10, 11 or 12 to participate in YWIT programs. Graduated school-age students may also participate in the YWIT Program.
   2. Youth Apprenticeship educators are responsible for guidelines required in Work Experience Order MO237/11, regarding conduct, supervision, evaluation, and participation of students in an educational program that consists of workplace-based training where secondary students register as apprentices with the Industry Training Authority.
   3. District staff are responsible to ensure that, in accordance with Ministry guidelines and District administrative procedures, all documentation is completed and filed with specific attention to the ITA Youth Apprenticeship and Sponsor Registration Forms and the WorkSafe BC Employer Clearance letter.
   4. Educators along with Employers/Sponsors must establish a training plan that articulates the skills and areas of knowledge to be developed, based on the program outline for the particular trade.
   5. The Youth Apprenticeship courses/programs must be supervised by a designated on-site Work Site Employer that is subject to the Workers’ Compensation Act; and, monitored and evaluated by a District educator in accordance with the Program Guide for Secondary School Apprenticeship.
   6. Compliance with WorkSafe BC standards and procedures is mandatory, with an emphasis on the mandatory orientation by a supervising educator before a workplace placement commences.