Students can choose to do Work Experience as an elective. Work Experience 12A and 12B are offered to students in Grades 11 and 12.
High School Credits
Work Experience 12A and Work Experience 12B are Ministry approved courses. Each course is 100-120 hours long and worth 4 credits. Together, the student can earn up to 8 Grade 12 elective credits towards graduation.
Goals for Work Experience Courses
The primary goal of work experience is to help students prepare for the transition from secondary school to the world of work. Through work experience, students have the opportunity to observe and practice generic employability skills required in the workplace, as well as technical and applied skills relating to specific occupations or industries. Other goals include helping students to:
- Connect what they learn in the classroom with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed in the workplace
- Gain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to be successful in the world of work
- Develop job readiness skills for specific occupations and careers
- Understand the similarities and differences in behaviour standards between the workplace and school
What does the course consist of?
- The Work Experience course requires students to complete 100 hours of related work experience as and acceptable work site. Students are also required to complete 20 hours of related career and work experience assignments.
- Work Experience placements are arranged by the Career Education Coordinator in consultation with the student and employer. Student’s may initiate their own employer contact if they choose.
- Work Experience is generally unpaid work and is meant for students to gain employability skills. Providing quality Work Experience Placements is a big commitment by companies and organizations. Many students turn their placements into paid jobs.
- Placement Agreements MUST be in place before a work experience placement commences. Placement agreements ensure students are covered by the Ministry of Education’s Worker’s Compensation Plan. The School District will handle any WBC claim.
- Student MUST complete all safety assignments and provide documentation prior to commencing work experience at a work experience placement.
- Students are responsible for their own transportation. Students may drive themself to their work experience placement but students MAY NOT drive or ride with other students to a work experience placement.
- Students must adhere to all expectation set out in the Student Responsibility Contract and the Oath of Confidentially.
Why should I take Work Experience Courses?
Work Experience courses are intended to help prepare students for the transition from secondary school to the world of work or further education and training. In Work Experience, the community is the classroom where students gain knowledge and experience about the workplace. Work Experience gives students a frame of reference to review or revise their career goals. Work Experience provides students with an opportunity to apply classroom learning in a context outside of school and to bring back to the classroom new perspectives about their learning. Work Experience also provides students with the chance to gain new skills that can be used in future work opportunities.
Evaluation
Evaluation includes completion of assignments, written reflection reports and employer evaluations. You must attend your work placement daily during the scheduled block or during the time agreed upon between you and your employer. You are required to report your attendance prior to starting Work Experience Block and when you return to the school you will sign in and out. If your Work Experience occurs outside the timetable you will have to provide the Career Education Coordinator the written agreed upon schedule signed by you and the employer. If you are going to miss a scheduled shift at work experience YOU MUST do two things. First you must notify your employer and then notify the school.