Career education is a bridge for students to engage beyond the school environment, explore varied interests and help determine their career path for the future.
The North Vancouver School District’s priorities for career education include: 1) career development course opportunities for all students; 2) enhancing work experience placements; and 3) dual credit program options. These priorities have been determined in consultation with students via student survey, and the Career Program Working Group which includes a student from each high school. In addition, the Community Career Steering Committee with representatives from local businesses provides guidance and input.
We are committed to increasing the opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, skills and self-confidence to be self-directed, life-long learners. Key to this is examining and exploring career pathways appropriate to their likes, interests, skills and knowledge, and developing the skills to work safely, effectively, individually and collaboratively.
Priorities
Career Development
Career programs provide students with the skills and knowledge to successfully enter into the workplace or into continued studies at the post-secondary level in a specific career or sector. Increasing educator knowledge and awareness in the process of student career development is central to this work.
Goal: Provide every student a fulsome appreciation of career options and directions available to them upon graduation.
Key Actions:
- Provide workshops for teachers
- Provide opportunities for the sharing of quality lesson plans
- Increase the number of Maker Fairs within schools
- Identify best practice methods and reinforce the Careers Handbook as a guide to action
- Implement the newly identified Career Courses in all elementary and secondary schools
Measures of Success/Indicators of Progress:
- Increase student enrollment in career related courses
- Provide teacher workshops to improve course implementation
- Ensure Career Education is being provided by all teachers in the required grade levels
- Increase in student request to work experience programs
Work Experience
Work Experience develops students’ confidence and the competencies needed to be self-directed, display initiative, set priorities, establish goals, and take responsibility for pursuing their goals. In addition, students develop the skills required to work effectively and safely with others, and to succeed both as individual and collaborative workers.
Goal: Increase the number of students enrolled in quality work experience opportunities.
Key Actions:
- Using the community steering group to develop positive community partnerships
- Targeting staffing to schools to support work experience
- Providing on-site support for WEX facilitators in supporting complex learners in the work place
- Advocating to the Chamber of Commerce as a school district to educate and solicit employer connections
Measures of Success/Indicators of Progress:
- Annual review of the number of work experience opportunities and analysis by sector
- Survey work experience employers as to enhancing the experience for them
- Develop an entrance and exit assessment for students, and employers
Dual Credit Program Options
Dual credit programs enable students to have a jump start on their career path while still in high school. For many students, this enables a more positive and healthy conclusion and transition from adolescence to young adulthood.
Goal: Increase the variety and volume of dual credit options for students
Key Actions:
- Develop our own additional dual credit programs with post-secondary institutions
- Further develop our partnerships with local colleges
- Work with VCC, BCIT, and Capilano University to secure and increase seats for North Vancouver student to enter into dual credit programs
- Target grade 12 students that don’t have a full course load with dual credit options in partnership with local post-secondary institutions
Measures of Success/Indicator of Progress:
- Analyses of new program options
- Track student enrollment and participation
- Assess student Graduation Rates
- Evaluate transition rates into jobs and post secondary programs
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