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
