CAREER/TRADES PROGRAMS

Long-term work experience is open to Grade 10, 11 or 12 students who have an interest in pursuing any career field. In Work Experience 12A and 12B, a student spends 100-240 hours training at one or more work sites. By doing this, skills are learned and questions answered before career decisions are made. Students either choose work according to their current interests or a focus area as listed previously. Work can be paid or volunteer work. Students usually work during the evenings or weekends, but may also work during the regular school day depending on their program and class meeting schedule.

The benefits of Work Experience are:

• resume and covering letter creation

• pre-employment job training

• making valuable industry contacts

• apprenticeship opportunities

• some paid work experience placements

• discover skills and interests 

• opportunity to explore an employment area of interest

• opportunity to gain credit toward grad for learning that happens outside the school

The programs below are offered in school and you receive both high school credit and post-secondary credit. They are called Dual Credit Programs. Some of these programs are primarily in schools; others are in the schools and post-secondary institutions. Please find more information about the District Programs HERE.

District Career Programs at Parkland Secondary School:

• Marine Service Technician - Quadrant Marine Partnership

District Career Programs at Claremont Secondary School:

• TEx (Trade Sampler: Welding, Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical) – Camosun Partnership

District Career Programs at the Saanichton Learning Centre:

• Hairdressing/Cosmetology Program – Vancouver Island University

• TASK (Trade Sampler: Carpentry, Joinery, Plumbing, Electrical, Drywall, Paint, Sheet Metal) – Camosun Partnership.

• STAC (Skills, Training, Apprenticeship, Carpentry) - Camosun Partnership

A partnership exists between Camosun College and Vancouver Island University and the South Island School Districts (Districts 61, 62, 63, 64 and 79) to provide post-secondary training programs.

The “Youth Train in Trades” programs offered at Camosun and Vancouver Island University or secondary schools offers students some of the following options:

• earn (between 4 and 48 high school credits) towards both graduation and trades qualifications;

• complete level 1 apprenticeship technical training or write Level 1 apprenticeship exam in their chosen trade;

• involve coursework at high school and/or college, and include a work experience component;

• provide full-time 5 to 7 month program (college/ITA certification);

• accommodate Secondary School Apprenticeship students;

• are open to Grades 11 and 12 students;

• provide students training through a 15 to 40 week foundation program or a 4 to 10 week apprenticeship program;

• allow students to complete a 6 week apprenticeship program;

• free tuition for programs.

Available Program Areas:

• Automotive

• Carpentry/Joinery

• Electrical

• Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport Mechanic

• Health Care Assistant

• Community Support and Educational Assistant

• Metal Fabrication

• Plumbing, Refrigeration and Piping

• Professional Cook 1

• Sheet Metal Level

• Welding

Other programs offered through partnerships with other Post-Secondary institutions:

• Hair Dressing with Vancouver Island University

• Machinist with British Columbia Institute of Technology

• Marine Service Technician Foundation with Quadrant Marine Institute

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Students must meet with the Career Counsellor--Ms. McNamee--to understand the duration and prerequisites of each program and establish an educational plan.

• Tuition costs for all Technical Training Programs is paid by the Saanich School District (SD 63).

• More information can be found on our website, in on the Camosun website.

What is a secondary school apprenticeship? Secondary school apprenticeship is a formal arrangement that allows high school students to become official apprentices registered to industry employers who, in turn, provide work-based training opportunities. SSA is open to Grade 10 to 12 students, 15 years of age or older, who are motivated to gain hands-on training in a designated trade.

The goal is to provide a seamless transition from school to work and give students a head start in employment training in the skilled trades to fill a predicted significant shortfall of qualified workers in various industry sectors.

The Secondary School Apprenticeship “Youth Work In Trades” will allow you to:

• begin a career while still in secondary school;

• strengthen employment skills through on-the-job training;

• develop maturity in an adult-based program and environment;

• earn while you learn;

• receive both secondary school graduation credits (16 units) and credit hours in the first year of apprenticeship (480 hours);

• become eligible for a scholarship to assist in the technical training component of the apprenticeship.

Examples of Secondary School Apprenticeships: Auto body repair, Carpenter, Professional Cook, Electrician, Glazier, Electrician, Hairdresser, Meat Cutter, Painter, Plumbing and Piping, Welder, Heavy Duty Commercial Transport Mechanic, Joiner/Cabinet Maker, Sheet Metal Worker, Machinist, Auto Service Technician, Horticulture, Metal Fabrication, Marine Service Technician.

A student must meet all of the requirements of the program and meet with Career Counsellor Ms. McNamee to qualify.

To be eligible:

• Be enrolled in Grade 10 through 12 and age 15 years or older;

• Demonstrate a suitable level of maturity and interest in the trades;

• Identify an employer who is trades-qualified and willing to provide employment and register you as an apprentice in the desired occupation;

• Each specific program has unique prerequisites determined by the post secondary institution providing the training.

Visit the Skilled Trades BC website, for more information.