Page Title

Text Box:

Text Box: P2P Partners Northwest Training and Adjustment Board Keewatin Patricia District School Board Kenora Catholic District School Board Northwest Catholic District School Board Rainy River District School Board Northwestern Ontario Association of Chambers of Commerce For more information contact – Passport to Prosperity Project Coordinator at (807) 223-3813

There are many ways for students to explore career options at the secondary level. One of the best ways is to experience a career hands-on. Through a variety of experiential learning opportunities students can investigate career choices while developing skills and knowledge in the workplace. Programs such as, Cooperative Education, allow students to earn credits for their learning experiences at the workplace. The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program gives students the opportunity to earn cooperative education credits, gain experience in the skilled trades and in some cases, register as an apprentice while meeting diploma requirements for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

For more information contact your local school’s Cooperative Education or OYAP Teacher.

Text Box: Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

Text Box:

Text Box: Are you an Employer? Offer students a variety of work experiences ranging from short-term, one-day events to having a student with you for a whole semester Short -Term Medium-Term Several hours to one day One day to four weeks Career talks, classroom visits Job shadowing Involvement in career fairs or career days Work Experience Worksite or industry tours Longer-Term Time commitment varies – up to 18 weeks per year School-work transitions Cooperative Education Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Mentoring

Text Box: Tips for Parents

Text Box:

Text Box: Career Education in Ontario Secondary Schools As part of Secondary Reform, a new Guidance and Career Education policy for Grades 1 to 12 was introduced in 1999. Choices into Action outlines a comprehensive program for all students that begins in Grade 1 and continues through to the end of Grade 12. The program highlights three areas of learning: student development, interpersonal development and career development. Students will learn to make informed and appropriate choices to ensure their successful transition from elementary to secondary school and from secondary school to further education, training and work. Students in Grades 7 to 12 will develop and maintain an Annual Education Plan which will help them take responsibility for their education, make informed decisions and plan for their future with the help of parents, teacher advisers and guidance counsellors. Students will learn about their options and choices and the impact of their decisions on their educational and career goals. Twice a year, students will review their Annual Education Plan with their parents and their teacher adviser. All schools offer a range of career exploration activities and regularly invite partners from the community to assist with these activities. These activities may include job shadowing, visits from guest speakers, volunteer work, career fairs and attendance at various education and career-related conferences. In November of each year, Grade 9 students participate in the Take Our Kids to Work program, a one-day job shadowing activity designed to broaden their understanding of the work done by parents, guardians and family friends. In Grade 10, all students will take the compulsory Career Studies course. The focus is not on having students decide “what they want to be” when they leave school. Instead, the focus is on learning techniques and strategies to assist them in exploring a broad range of options, determining which occupational areas might be of interest to them, the education and training required for those occupations, and how to access further opportunities. All secondary schools have guidance counsellors who are trained to assist students in their career and educational exploration. Secondary schools also have access to a number of excellent electronic, internet-based and print materials on a wide variety of opportunities. (Prepared by Phil Hedges, President Ontario School Counsellors’ Association)

Text Box: To find out more about Passport to Prosperity contact: Wendy Olson, Project Coordinator, Northwest Training & Adjustment Board Tel: (807) 223-3813 Toll: 1.800.305.1923 Web: www.ntab.on.ca

For Further Information:

· Contact the Principal of your son/daughter’s school to inquire about specific programs and resources

· Visit the Student Resources section of the Ontario School Counsellors’ Association web site at http://osca.ouac.on.ca/studres.htm

Career Education Guide
for
Students and Parents

Mission Possible
Putting YOUR Choices Into Action

· Attend parent information sessions

· Learn about courses offered and diploma requirements

· Encourage your students to engage in the process of exploring career and education and training opportunities

· Review your student’s Annual Education Plan regularly

· Talk to your students about the work you and other family members do

· Help your students expand their list of possibilities

· Find out about costs and financial assistance for postsecondary education and training

· Encourage the development of a Plan “A” and a Plan “B”

· Maintain contact with your student’s teachers and guidance counsellor

· Support your students in their decision-making

· Find out about ways to get involved in your son/daughter’s school such as joining the school council or volunteering to take part in career days

· Have fun in the process!

· Use the web or your local Career Resource Centre to access current, accurate information

Get Experienced!

This brochure was made possible through funding from Passport to Prosperity an initiative of the Ministry of Education.