Schooling that works in District 2
Published Friday October 10th, 2008
Five important programs for high school students at District 2 help teens prepare for the work force
"District 2 has been working hard the last number of years to enhance its relationship with businesses all over southeast New Brunswick," says Education Supervisor Norval McConnell. In fact, students in District 2's eight high schools can participate in one or more of five programs aimed at familiarizing young people with the reality of workplace.
The Co-op Program has been running for about 20 years, allowing Grade 12 students to work in a chosen field.
"Almost half of our graduating students participate in the one-semester Co-op Education Program," says School to Work Transition Co-ordinator Pat Duffield.
After a screening process, applying students spend half-days of one semester in the workplace and the other half in the school classroom. Credits given for the program can be used in some college and university applications, but students receive no wages.
Another program that's been around for 20 years is the Work Experience Program, which is geared towards students who need extra help on the job. Five District staff members assist students at work. This program runs for the entire school year, and, like all the programs, can lead to full-time employment after high school.
The Apprenticeship Program has been running for 14 years, and is substantially different from the other programs in that it takes place outside school hours, and students are interviewed and paid by their employer.
"We even have an etiquette supper for these students," Pat says. "These days interviews don't always take place in a board room, so the kids dress in their best for this supper and learn a lot."
Summer employment is the norm here, with students attending workshops in employment skills during the school year. The Apprenticeship Program is for Grades 10 and 11, and graduates get preferred seating at UNB, ABU, U de M, and NBCC, provided academic marks are adequate.
A much newer work program, for Grade 11 students, is the Career Exploration Program, which has been in existence for five years. Students attend school for five to six weeks, learning about employer/employee relationships in addition to doing regular class work. Then come six weeks of working half days, much like the Co-op Program.
The baby of these programmes is only in its second full year, and that is the Transition to Work Program.
"It's for students who don't learn best in traditional school settings," explains Norval. "They work full time, and we go to the job site two half days a week to work on academics with them."
Most students in this programme are 18 or 19 years old. Though they do not earn a wage during the semester, students earn valuable life- and job-skills as well as high school diploma.
Hundreds of employers, from small family concerns to large corporations, are involved with one or more of District 2's work programs. Their involvement gives them an idea of the up and coming workforce, and allows them some input regarding what young people need to know about the workplace.
"Employers in the Greater Moncton area are awesome," praises Pat. "They're so in tune with these programs, and doing mentoring. I can't say enough good about them."
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