This hands-on course enables students to further explore the engineering design process and develop other technological knowledge and skills introduced in earlier grades. Students will design and safely create prototypes, products, and/or services, working with tools and technologies from various industries. As students develop their projects to address real-life problems, they will apply technological concepts such as precision measurement, as well as health and safety standards. Students will begin to explore job skills programs and education and training pathways, including skilled trades, that can lead to a variety of careers.  

Hairstyling and aesthetics courses offer students an opportunity to work in a salon/spa environment and provide services for a diverse clientele. Students may focus on careers such as hairstylist, aesthetician, nail technician, or make-up artist. In a growing service economy, courses in hairstyling and aesthetics help prepare students for rewarding careers. 

Students will gain hands-on experience using professional materials and equipment and practising current techniques. They will use professional terminology related to hairstyling and aesthetics, acquire transferable problem-solving skills, and learn about the Essential Skills and work habits that are important for success in these fields. At the same time, they will expand their communication and interpersonal skills as they interact with their peers and clients.

Transportation affects our lives in a multitude of ways. Transportation systems move raw materials to manufacturers and finished products to consumers locally, nationally, and globally. Individuals use transportation systems every day for business, work, and pleasure. Transportation technology courses provide students with opportunities to understand transportation systems from the perspective of either the consumer or the service provider. The range of courses enables students to study both vehicle ownership and vehicle maintenance, and to develop skills and prepare for careers in the servicing and repair of vehicles, aircraft, and/or watercraft. In addition, students will develop the Essential Skills and work habits that are important for success in the transportation industry.

Communications technology affects all aspects of our lives in a fundamental way. Having an understanding of communications technology is an important part of being both technologically and media literate. Communications technology courses are project-based and will provide students with opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills required to design, use, and manage electronic, live, recorded, and graphic communications systems, specifically in the areas of TV, video, and movie production; radio and audio production; print and graphic communications; photography; digital imaging; broadcast journalism; and interactive new media and animation. These courses will help students understand the effects of communications technology on the environment and society. Students will also examine standards and regulations governing communications technology, health and safety issues, careers in the field, and the importance of lifelong learning, and will learn about the Essential Skills and work habits that are important for success in careers in the field.

Hospitality and tourism is one of the top fields for employment in Canada. Hospitality and tourism courses prepare students to meet diverse challenges in this multifaceted field. Hospitality and tourism education provides both a hands-on and a theoretical approach to learning about the various sectors in the field. Students will have opportunities to develop essential food preparation and presentation skills; will learn about event planning and marketing, customer relations, human resource management, inventory management, and tourism administration and management; and will examine the cultural and economic forces that drive tourism trends. Students will gain experience with equipment and procedures commonly used in their particular sectors of interest, and will comply with health and safety regulations and standards that govern the various sectors in the tourism industry. They will acquire a foundation of skills and knowledge that will prepare them for both postsecondary education and careers in hospitality and tourism.

Computer technology is an expanding branch of engineering, with roots in both electrical engineering and computer science. It includes the related areas of computer hardware and software; computer interfacing, programming, and networking; analog and digital electronics; and robotics. Computer technicians, technologists, and engineers work in every sector of society, in careers ranging from building and repairing computer systems to designing and installing computer networks, to designing and building prototype robots and electronic devices. Students taking computer technology courses will learn to work safely with computer equipment, electronic circuits, and robotic devices, and will explore the Essential Skills and work habits that are important for success in computer technology. Computer technology courses prepare students for apprenticeship, further study at college or university, or entry into the workplace directly after graduation.

Construction technology has always played a central role in society. It is a multifaceted industry in which projects can result in products, systems, processes, or services and encompass various aspects of production, repair, and maintenance. In construction technology courses, students will learn about designing, constructing, and maintaining a variety of buildings and structures, and will gain experience with the tools, equipment, and processes commonly used in the field. Students will also learn about health and safety standards in the construction industry, building codes and regulations, and employment opportunities and careers in the various sectors of the industry, including electricity, carpentry, masonry, heating and cooling, and plumbing. 

Technological design courses provide students with a variety of learning experiences that focus on the practical application of the principles of engineering, architecture, and design. These activity-based courses emphasize problem solving to meet design challenges in a wide range of areas, which may include apparel and textile design, architectural design, interior design, mechanical and industrial design, and robotics and control systems. Students learn to apply knowledge of research, historical trends, design, materials, fabrication methods, and testing criteria to develop innovative and environmentally sustainable products, processes, and/or services. The technologies and processes used to create design solutions may include both traditional and computer-based drafting methods, scale models, working prototypes, animations and simulations, displays, portfolios, and presentations.

This course enables students to develop knowledge and skills related to cabinet making and furniture making. Students will gain practical experience using a variety of the materials, tools, equipment, and joinery techniques associated with custom woodworking. Students will learn to create and interpret technical drawings and will plan, design, and fabricate projects. They will also develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues related to the woodworking industry, and will explore apprenticeships, postsecondary training, and career opportunities in the field that may be pursued directly after graduation.

Health care courses offer students an opportunity to investigate factors contributing to personal health and, at the same time, gain an introduction to a range of careers in the health care industry. These careers include, but are not limited to, child care worker, dental assistant/dentist, gerontologist, laboratory technician/technologist, doctor, nursing assistant/nurse, pharmacy assistant/pharmacist, and personal support worker. Courses in health care help prepare students for rewarding careers in a sector that is set to expand rapidly as our population ages. 

Students will gain hands-on experience using industry-standard instruments, equipment, and materials and practising current techniques. They will learn the professional terminology of the field, acquire transferable problem-solving skills, and expand their communication and interpersonal skills as they interact with their peers and clients in a variety of simulated care scenarios. As they acquire theoretical understanding and practical skills in their areas of interest, students will become better prepared to make informed career choices.