Career Development

Career Development Programs meet the needs of students by preparing them for the transition from high school to the world of work or further training and education, and help them connect what they learn in school with skills and knowledge for the workplace and society in general.

The Ministry of Education has made significant announcements regarding Career Development and the intended program opportunities for Grade 10, 11, and 12 students. The Ministry of Education’s goal is that all graduating students would have significant opportunities to explore, experience and benefit from community mentorship, so that they are better able to make career pathway decisions. A further goal of the Ministry is that students would have opportunities to acquire and put into practice employability or soft skills. Opportunities for students to be engaged in Work Experience, Co-op, Job Shadow, Career Exploration Days and Mentorship are all tangible Career Development strategies.

School Career Development Programs should provide student access to Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA) opportunities. SSA programming allows students to get a head start on earning their trade certification. Work hours during the SSA phase will be reported to ITA and will be credited towards any future interest to pursue the trade. SSA also addresses the largest career planning myth that exists today – that the only secure path is through university studies. With the baby boom generation easing its way into retirement, one of the high demand areas in the upcoming years is in the skilled trades. SSA access allows students to graduate with additional credits on high school transcript, learn valuable skills in work place safety, and employability skills and to qualify for a $1,000 scholarship upon completing the program.

Supporting Career Development Programs

SCSBC offers assistance in:

• Equipping independent schools with strategies to develop, maintain and build capacity in career development programs
• Providing strategies for schools to generate revenue to finance programs and for students to receive graduation credits for completion of these programs
• Providing strategies, resources, and templates for school use, implementation ideas and on-going support

SCSBC’s Career Development Coordinator will:

• Meet with principals, teachers, coordinators, boards, committees to provide orientation and on-going support
• Meet with parents at functions during day or evening events to explain new Career Development initiatives
• Meet with classes of students to provide orientation and on-going support
• Assist with the implementation of introduction to skilled trades events at your schools (ITA’s YES 2 IT)