Career Programs provide an opportunity for students, teachers, employers, parents and community organizations to co-operate in achieving one very important goal: preparing youth for the future.

What are Career Programs?

These programs provide all students, including academic, technical and special needs students, with opportunities to:

  • Build closer associations with working adults who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise
  • Develop job skills and gain practical experience
  • Explore a variety of potential career options by assessing their abilities and interests in a specific field
  • Acquire confidence and self-reliance in preparation for further education or future employment
  • Enhance in-school curriculum by relating the classroom instruction to the relevant work environment
  • Begin to develop focus for their future

How do you participate?

The level of involvement is up to you!

Preparation and Selection:
  • Inform us of your interest to participate in the program by contacting the School Board Office at (604) 981-1000
  • A representative from West Vancouver Schools will contact you to provide more detail
  • When a suitable student is available an interview will be arranged
  • School personnel will contact you after the initial interview
  • Final decision to participate rests with the employer
Supervision of Work:
  • Students are supervised by an employer or employee who is responsible for their on-the-job training
  • The type of work the students do is determined by the employer/supervisor, the teacher and the students’ initiative
  • Students’ progress is monitored by Career Development staff through contact with the supervisor at the placement site
How are the students prepared for placement?
  • Students are interviewed by school staff to assess their interests/aptitudes
  • Students complete pre-employment orientation consisting of interview skills, resume writing, phone skills, appropriate dress, etc.
  • Students attend an interview with the employer prior to placement

Why get involved?

Through your involvement, a strong, continuing partnership is built between schools and community/employers so that students may gain knowledge and experience to make sound educational career decisions. Career development benefits employers, students and the community.

Employer Benefits
  • Receive public recognition for community service
  • Develop sources of potential employees who have employment skills and on-the-job training
  • Provide a leadership role by teaching a student skills that can be resourced in the future
  • Develop supervisory skills and reinforce current job knowledge of present employees
  • Provide students with the opportunity to understand the link between school studies and the “real world”
  • Influence young people’s attitudes towards work.
Student Benefits
  • Explore a variety of career choices to help make informed future decisions
  • Gain experience with a variety of work place situations and demands
  • Develop awareness of personal qualities essential for success in post-secondary education and in the future workplace
  • Increase confidence and self-reliance, while improving employability skills
  • Obtain references and contacts that may assist in further education and future career opportunities
Community Benefits
  • Enhance greater understanding between students and employers in the community
  • Develop student awareness for community values and interests
  • Promote awareness of job opportunities within the community
  • Expand partnership with the education system
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Admissions for the 24/25 school year are openClick here for eligibility and timelines