Take Action
Welcome to Taking Action which showcases stories of practice sourced from Alberta educators, partners and employers who are providing students the opportunity to:
- Explore the extensive scope, demand, and value of skilled trades and technologies.
- Engage in academic studies and skills training through inclusive, authentic, and hands-on learning opportunities.
- Experience a wide array of work-integrated learning opportunities, collaborating with employers and partners in the field.
Exploring these featured stories reveals a panorama of collaboration, innovation, and expertise related to enhancing students’ knowledge and experiences in skilled trades and technologies.
Story One: Career Pathway Programs that Promote Equitable Opportunities for Students
Palliser Regional Schools
Presented by:
- Jason Kupery, Director of Learning
- Brian Kim, Off Campus Teacher
- Ginny Bergsma, Off Campus Teacher
- Charlene Foster, Off Campus Teacher
The aim of the Palliser Off Campus Team is to generate opportunities that empower students to discover and follow their passions while making well-informed decisions about their future endeavors after completing high school. Team efforts have been directed towards not only encouraging students to explore, engage, and gain practical experience, but also focusing on equity. As a school division catering to various rural areas, Palliser strongly believes that equity plays a pivotal role in delivering any Off Campus programs and consciously works to ensure that these programs are fair in their objectives and accessible to all. To achieve this, courses are available through online instruction and the specific needs of communities are considered when designing programs such as Farm Ed and the Kate Andrews Fire Academy.
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Story Two: Parkland School Division is Building Futures
Parkland School Division
Presented by:
- Shauna Boyce
Superintendent of Schools - Mark Francis
Deputy Superintendent
Parkland School Division offers diverse learning pathways, including High School Outreach, Junior High Outreach, Virtual Learning, Home Education, The Learning Hub (Gr. 10-12) and MyPath programs (Gr. K-9). These programs support students in developing the confidence, resilience, and skills needed to thrive in the world by providing supportive environments, meaningful experiences, and opportunities to gain diverse perspectives and achieve success.
Building Futures, offered by Parkland School Division in partnership with Coventry Homes, is an innovative program for grade 10 students. It offers hands-on learning about building a new home, from pre-construction to completion, using an onsite classroom in a Spruce Grove garage. Specialized teachers lead academic courses, and students work alongside the Coventry Homes team throughout the building process. The program caters to various interests related to home building, including real estate, interior design, architecture, sales, finance, and more. It provides practical skills and real-world experience, allowing students to explore diverse career paths in the industry. Building Futures ensures students meet high school graduation requirements while gaining valuable knowledge and experience in home construction.
Story Three: Inspire, Develop, Elevate
SkillsCanada Alberta
Presented by:
- Alycia Pawluk
Manager of Programming and Education
Skills Canada Alberta, which is part of the National Association with Skills Canada strives to create programs that showcase trades and technology for youth in Alberta. Skills Canada Alberta identified an opportunity in the market for hands-on learning environments in junior high and created the Try-A-Trade® program.
Try-A-Trade® aims to provide students with opportunities to explore trades and technologies while developing practical skills in an engaging and accessible way. Two delivery models are available, one where students attend the Provincial Skills Canada competition in Edmonton and try their hands at various skill activities, and another where interactive classroom kits are shipped directly to the classroom. The program has opened doors to exciting and rewarding career paths for more than 11,000 secondary students across 163 schools in Alberta. The government has provided funding to significantly grow the program over the next three years. Sign-up at www.skillsalberta.com in the fall of 2023 to participate.
Story Four: Achieving Student Career Readiness through Planned Career Pathway Experiences and Powerful Partnerships
Chinook's Edge School Division, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, Wolf Creek Public Schools
Presented by:
- Brianne Fletcher
Career Connections Coordinator from Chinook’s Edge School Division - Tracey Millar
Dual Credit and Off-Campus Divisional Lead Teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools - Kylie Kissel
Dual Credit and Career Pathways Coordinator at Wolf Creek Public Schools
Over the past decade, Chinook’s Edge School Division, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, and Wolf Creek School Division, in collaboration with Olds College/Red Deer Polytechnic and CAREERS, have successfully developed a collegiate model in Central Alberta. This model has proven to be highly effective in facilitating successful career transitions for students after completing high school.
Using a well-structured model, students are guided through a career pathway learning journey that incorporates career awareness and readiness experiences. These experiences include single-day events, dual credit courses/certificates, work integrated learning, and ongoing staff coaching and advising.
As a result of this comprehensive multi-year approach, students are not only well-prepared for their chosen careers but also have a seamless transition from high school to their desired career paths. This collaborative, collegiate model has proven to be instrumental in enhancing students’ career readiness and shaping their future prospects.
Story Five: Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools- Welding Pathways at St. John Paul II
Grande Prairie and Districts Catholic Schools
Presented by:
- Jacques LeCerf Ed.
Welding RSE CTS/CTF TeacherSt. John Paul II Catholic High School - Roger Lauck M Sc Ed., B.Ed.
Zone 1 TAVE Representative
Director of Teaching & Learning
Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools
The Welding Pathways program at John Paul II Catholic High School in Grande Prairie is a prime example of innovative education practices implemented by Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools. This unique program is located within the high school premises, which also offers French Immersion education for grades 9 to 12, along with an outreach program for grades 10 to 12.
Meet Jacques LeCerf, a dedicated teacher and Red Seal Journeyman, who’s transforming education in Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools. His unique program allows high school students to complete their first-year welding apprenticeship, addressing Alberta’s skilled labour shortage head-on. This innovative approach aligns perfectly with the district’s mantra, “Inspire, Create, Believe”. Jacques inspires students with his expertise, empowers them to create promising futures, and fosters belief in their abilities. This fusion of education and practical training is not only a career jumpstart for students, but also a strategic solution to the province’s workforce demands, truly embodying the essence of innovative education.