WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
The Work Experience Program( WEP) provides students with the opportunity to transition from secondary school to the world of work through real-world, unpaid placements in the community. These placements are designed to give students a minimum of 30 hours of workplace experience, which may include a mix of job shadowing and hands-on tasks. Placements may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid, allowing students to gain insights into workplace expectations, explore career interests, build networks, and develop transferable skills essential for success in any field.
Students in grades 11 and 12 have two options for securing a placement:
• CHS-Provided Employers: Students can select from a list of pre-arranged employers who have partnered with CHS to support student development.
• Customized Placement: Students may tailor their placement by identifying their own area of interest and working with the Manager of Work Integrated Learning to utilize their network, leverage connections, and practice cold calls to secure a suitable opportunity.
While placements provide an invaluable opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom, they are not guaranteed due to limited availability, employer capacity, alignment with student interests, and unforeseen circumstances. Students and families are encouraged to approach this incredible opportunity with an open mind and a willingness to embrace the challenges and rewards of reallife internship experiences.
Applications open in early fall, and space is limited. If the number of applicants exceeds capacity, a lottery system will be used to select participants. The program requires students to submit a resume, complete an in-house WorkSafeBC Assessment, and commit time during school hours and / or vacation periods. Successful participants will receive a certificate for their completed hours and, if their placement is successful, a reference letter from the Manager of Work Integrated Learning.
Through the program, students will:
• Gain first-hand exposure to workplace environments, responsibilities, and career pathways.
• Build essential workplace habits, including professionalism, flexibility, and adaptability to change.
• Develop employability skills such as communication, teamwork, and problemsolving.
• Explore the realities of different industries and potential career sectors.
• Strengthen confidence, self-direction, and independence.
• Placements can also fulfill the 30-hour graduation requirement and provide a foundation for further career exploration.
CAREER EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE: FAQ
Is Career Education mandatory?
Yes, this is a BC Ministry of Education mandated course from K-12, across all schools in BC, and the completion of these courses is a requirement for graduation.
How is Career Education delivered at Crofton House School?
Career Education is delivered during Extend Advisory Thursdays( EATh) over one semester in Grades 8 and 9. In Grade 10, Career-Life Education is a term course, paired with an elective in the opposite term. In Grade 11, the second half of Career-Life Education is delivered in a year-long course interspersed with study blocks; the same format follows for Career-Life Connections in Grade 12, with ample time in study blocks devoted to PSI applications.
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