Ninth grade students at Canmore Collegiate High School (CCHS) will work 9 to 5 this January for a pilot program aimed to introduce 14- and 15-year-olds to the workplace and ignite ideas for future careers.
Inspired by a similar program in Finland, Hans Holthuis, assistant principal at CCHS, said he learned about the work study during a student exchange between the Canadian Rockies Public School division and two different schools in Finland.
“What they do within the whole country, and it’s really a part of their whole culture, is to have students when they’re 14-15 have a five-day work placement. And employers know about it, it’s part of the employer culture.”
Holthuis is now seeking 75 five-day job placements in the Bow Valley for Grade 9 students, specifically looking for businesses and employers that are “keen to be able to share what they have in their workplaces,” and who would be willing to take on students for a week of job-shadowing in January.
“We want to be able to cast our net as wide as possible because the world has lots of different opportunities,” he said.
Whether it’s from the private sector, municipal, provincial or federal government, the health region or nonprofit organizations; interested employers from across the spectrum of careers are welcome to submit an application to partner up with the school.
Holthuis and his team of work experience coordinators will meet with businesses who apply to take part in the program, tour the workplace to ensure it is a safe and suitable space for students and then match an appropriate student or students with each employer.
The students will receive no financial compensation for their work experience, and are covered by Worker’s Compensation through the school board.
“The benefit for the student is that they get to see the workplace. The benefit for the employer is getting students interested in the world of work, and getting a chance to show off their workplace. I’m sure there are employers that students have no idea they exist – and that there are jobs in those particular fields.”
Leading up until December, students will complete interest surveys, as well as directed journaling assignments and activities used “to explore skills, interests, aptitudes and wishes for the future.
“Our job is to help prime them: do you like working with things? Do you like working with people? Do you like working with kids? What kind of environment do you like? Does it have to be high-activity, or does it need to be more focused,” he said.
“You want kids to know about the world of work, but you also want kids to learn about themselves.”
This step is especially important as many Grade 9 students may not have any work experience so far, and may not be sure what potential careers they may be suited to or interested in.
“It’s a chance for students to be able to confirm an interest or spark an interest,” said Holthuis.
Students will also be asked to present their experiences in the workplace following the work study program.
Holthuis said he believes the program will give the students direction and hopes it will help them streamline their interests into potential careers, and select specific high school courses that will help them attain that goal.
“We want people to be productive in some capacity out in the world.”
Businesses and employers interested in participating in the CCHS work study program can visit www.cchs.crps.ca and click on the programs tab for more information.
