National Career Development Month

SD73 began National Career Development Month by celebrating Take Our Kids to Work Day. Throughout the month of November, the SD73 Career Development Department is promoting District Career programs and events to all secondary school students in grades 9 through 12. These activities align with the Career Development Department priority outlined in the District Strategic Plan 2022-2027.

The District team is scheduled to visit each high school during the month of November to present programs and events at Grade assemblies. This year, the team is promoting both the dual-credit program opportunities (in preparation for 2024-2025 course selection) and transition events (such as Girls Exploring Trades and Technology, Heavy Metal Rocks, and RCMP Youth Academy). Industry and community partners are joining the presentations, when available, to provide further information to interested students. For instance, TRU Future Students is aiming to have an advisor attend each presentation to provide guidance around academic planning and future studies at TRU.

The District Career Development Department is supporting career professional development this month through two events. On November 1, 2023, the Department provided release time to Career Education teachers and school counselors to attend TRU's "Fall Counselor Update" session. School counselors and District staff received information on services offered by TRU Future Students including academic planning support, new program initiatives, and applications for awards and bursaries. On November 20-21, 2023, the District team will be attending the annual BC Career Education Society conference in Vancouver. The Department will also provide support for a group of Career Education teachers, school-based Trades and Transitions Coordinators, and school counselors to attend this conference.

A career development opportunity was provided to girls in grades 6-9 on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Forty-eight girls in grades 6-9 attended a one-day trades exploration, Girls Exploring Trades and Technology, at TRU. They were mentored throughout the day by nine Senior trades students from grades 11 and 12. The students participated in four hands-on activities in the electrical, piping, refrigeration, and Horticulture shops at TRU, taught by their Red Seal Instructors.

To learn more about SD73 career programs visit the Trades and Transitions website.