Helping KCS students plan for the future
By Joan Janzen
Heidi Marchant, the career counsellor at Kindersley Composite School, is always on hand to help students prepare for the future. Although teachers and counsellors can’t tell their students what they should be doing after high school, as future planning and career choices are extremely personalized, they can share all of the different opportunities that are available.
As a counsellor and teacher, Heidi provides students with the tools they need to make informed decisions. “I always tell students and parents that career/post-secondary planning is some of the most important homework they will ever do,” Heidi said.
That homework involves online exploration, where students can learn about potential post-secondary programs using virtual tours and viewing content from institutions and programs of interest. Once students choose a career path, Heidi is available to help them plan their high school classes to align with their post-secondary plans.
Sun West School Division provides a wide array of resources which benefit students in their pursuit of a future career. My Blueprint provides information about thousands of different careers offered in Canada and also has a good resume builder, where Grade 9 students build their resume. Grade 11 students complete an assessment of their skills, interests and abilities, and are then provided with corresponding career suggestions.
Kindersley’s high school students are also visited by representatives from post-secondary institutions. “So far this year, we have had presentations from the Sask. Apprenticeship Commission, Medicine Hat College and Great Plains College, with more to come,” Heidi explained. “Sun West also offers a career fair every two years, which connects all of our students with potential employers and post-secondary programs.” In February of this year, students are invited to attend a job fair, which will be held in the Kindersley Mall.
Throughout high school, students can earn Career and Work Exploration (CWEX) credits, which help them explore the workforce. Students who are already working (for pay) under a certified journeyperson can earn apprenticeship credits — students who complete the Sask. Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) program can get approx. $800 off of their tuition and 1300 hours off of their trade time if they enrol in a program to become a certified journeyperson.
Distance Learning Courses (DLC) are also offered, which include dual credit courses where students obtain a post-secondary credit, as well as high school credit.
Organizations such as the Regina District Industry Education Council (RDIEC) enable students to listen to Sun West graduates explain the day-to-day life in their jobs, as well as the education necessary to obtain the job. Students also have access to local, provincial and national scholarships and assistance with filling out applications.
And we can’t forget about the many athletic and leadership opportunities available to students. These character-building opportunities are very beneficial when applying for scholarships, jobs and other applications.
“While no one can force students to participate fully in these experiences, they greatly benefit from making the most out of every learning experience possible,” Heidi said. “It’s up to them to use these opportunities to the fullest,” she said.
