Elementary and high school students from across the Sunshine Coast filled the Chatelech gym in Sechelt on Tuesday for the WorkBC Find Your Fit tour. The tour introduces students and the public to in-demand professions in the province and to career resources offered on the WorkBC website.
“It’s a great way for the students to learn. It’s different from what’s in the classroom,” said Cathy Gordon, district career coordinator for School District 46.
Approximately 350 students participated in the hands-on activity stations at the event, which are linked to professions such as nursing, engineering and carpentry. This is the second time the tour has stopped on the Sunshine Coast. Last year the event was held at Elphinstone Secondary School.
The gym was decked out with activity stations highlighting computer programming, social work, carpentry, welding, heavy-duty mechanics, nursing and tech, among others. Ryley Ellement, a tour manager with the Find Your Fit tour, said the activity stations help kids viscerally understand the skills required for the professions.
“We do find a lot of kids gravitating towards technological things. Computer science, computer programming, the 3D printer, analyzing computer systems, hacking, coding – these are all really big things,” Ellement said.
While engrossed in building an electric circuit at the popular electronics and tech station, Chatelech Grade 11 student Alexis Muir said, “It’s kind of intriguing. I’ve never thought of going into it, but it’s kind of important … so maybe.” For her, the value in the event came from the exposure to new ideas. “It gives kids interests in what to do or stuff they didn’t even know they were capable of doing.”
Careers development is one of the three goals of B.C.’s education system, Gordon said. “It’s really important that we do as much career focus and building and exploration with the students as we can.”
Hayley Grunenberg, also in Grade 11, is interested in engineering but admits she’s not quite ready to launch into the “adult world” of careers. “But I’m looking forward to getting a job,” she said.
This is the fourth year of the tour, which has stops at up to 70 communities across B.C. This year the tour started in October and will finish in March. Next stop is Agassiz.
The school district also offers work experience courses that give students an opportunity to get a work placement in exchange for school credit. Additionally, the district partners with Vancouver Island University through its Train in Trades program (formerly ACE IT), giving students level 1 apprenticeship certification in cooking, carpentry and auto service. Students in grades 10 to 12 can also set up their own apprenticeships for school credit. Those interested can contact Cathy Gordon at [email protected].
