Career Preparation at Delta Secondary School provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and earn senior credits through work placements. Students have several options to choose from, depending on their current career interests.
Work Experience
Students gain experience in the career field of their choice through a combination of employability skills training and 90 plus hours of work experience. Starting in Grade 11 or 12, students first complete required curriculum, where they develop employability skills, learn workplace safety practices, prepare for interviews, and more. Once the curriculum is complete, students begin a work placement with an employer that aligns with their interest and future career life goals. Through their placement, students gain valuable workplace experience, build confidence and skills, and have the opportunity to explore, confirm, or rethink their career goals. Through employer assessment, students receive valuable real-world feedback about their employability and technical skills. Students can earn additional credit through Work Experience 12B by completing a second 90+ hour placement and the required curriculum. Registration is required before beginning a placement. Hours completed before registration cannot be counted toward course credit. Contact Ms. Day at cday@deltaschools.ca for more information.
WEX provides students with the opportunity to:
- Explore personal interests and abilities
- Practice knowledge and skills in a work environment, including developing transferable skills
- Develop connections between goals, school studies, and possible career fields
- Observe and participate with adults working in the field of career interest
*Junior Firefighter Work Experience – Grades 11 and 12
The Junior Firefighting Program is a unique Work Experience opportunity that gives students a true understanding of the basic components, both physical and educational, of Delta Fire & Emergency Services basic training for new recruits. Work Experience hours are gained though a week-long camp in March, fitness training, First Aid training, and volunteering during the school year. More information can be found at https://deltalearns.ca/careers/firefighting/
Applications are due before February 28th. See Ms. Day ahead of time to discuss this opportunity and how to best prepare your application.
Youth Work in Trades (Apprenticeship Program)
Youth Work in Trades offers students aged 15 – 19 an opportunity to begin their apprenticeship while still in high school (students can begin as early as the summer between grade 11 and 12). It is the beginning of training on the job, which is typically 80% of becoming a journeyperson. Students must be employed, paid, and work under the direction of a certified journeyperson, with their employer agreeing to sponsor them through SkilledTradesBC and the Delta School District. A student can earn up to four courses (WRK 11a, WRK 11b, WRK 12a, WRK 12b).
Advantages of Work in Trades include:
- Four credits for each 120 hours of paid employment (up to a maximum of 16 credits for 480 hours).
- Registration with Skilled Trades BC (formerly the Industrial Training Authority)
- Potential of $1,000 award upon completion of 900 hours
- Earn hours towards your trade training
- Learn in a “real world” situation
- Earn money as you learn
For more information about the Youth Work in Trades program, click here.
Train in Trades
Youth Train in Trades is an industry training program for students entering grade 11 and 12 and have not graduated when the program begins. It is the first year (level 1) of the classroom/shop training which is 20% of becoming a journeyperson (training on the job is the other 80%). Some programs run for a full semester, others are shorter, or half of each day at a linear school.
Students take dual credit courses that will give them credit towards both secondary graduation and the first level of apprenticeship or industry training. Train in Trades programs are offered as partnerships between school districts and local post-secondary institutions including BCIT, VCC, KPU, and FTI.
Upon successful completion they will receive credit for ‘level 1’ of the technical training (in-class) component of the Industry Training Program. Successful completion is 70% or higher. Students will have a significant head start on post-secondary education by the time they graduate high school, as well as gaining practical and in-demand skills. If accepted, the School District pays for the tuition costs with students being responsible for all other costs, such as materials, PPE, textbooks and learning modules.
Applications are due before February 28th.
Application does not guarantee acceptance. To see the application process and more information about the Train in Trades programs in Delta, click HERE. For more information on what Train in Trades programs are currently offered and how to best prepare for the application process, contact Ms. Day at cday@deltaschools.ca.
**Students can take any combination of Work Experience, Work in Trades, and/or Train in Trades courses.
More Career Programs
Biomedical & Health Science Dual Credit Program at KPU Surrey (Grade 12)
Starting full-time in February, accepted students attend Kwantlen Polytechnic University (Surrey) in a dual credit program designed for those pursuing careers in health and biomedical fields. This includes Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Medical and Health Services Management, Biomedical Science, Public Health Analysis, and Biotechnology. Students will take two Biology courses, along with English and Psychology, (two courses at a time). If accepted, the school district covers tuition, enabling students to earn both high school and post-secondary credits at the same time. This program provides a fantastic opportunity for motivated students to get a head start on their future healthcare careers. https://deltalearns.ca/careers/healthscience/
Applications due before February 28th. See Ms. Day for more information.
Business Dual Credit Program at KPU Surrey (Grade 12)
Starting full-time in February, accepted students attend Kwantlen Polytechnic University (Surrey) in a dual credit program designed for those pursuing careers in business. This includes being an Entrepreneur, Accountant, Social Media or Marketing or other careers in business. Students will take Intro to Marketing, Applied Communications, Organizational Behaviour and Intro to Financial Accounting (two courses at a time). If accepted, the school district covers tuition, enabling students to earn both high school and post-secondary credits at the same time. This program provides a fantastic opportunity for motivated students to get a head start on their future business career. https://deltalearns.ca/careers/business/ Applications due before February 28th. See your Ms Day for more information.
Applications for all programs are due before February 28th. NOTE: Students must be returning to a Delta School in September of the next school year. Students graduating in June cannot apply to the programs.
If you have further questions about any of these programs please contact Ms. Day at cday@deltaschools.ca or call 604-946-4194 to set up an appointment to discuss.