About Career Transitions

Chinook Regional Career Transitions for Youth is committed to improving access to career development resources and information for youth, including students in Grades 7 - 12, and out-of-school youth who wish to utilize the services.

Eight Southwestern Alberta school jurisdictions, involving approximately 10,400 secondary school students, have formed an unprecedented partnership for the purpose of improving the school-to-work transitions for their students. Business, provincial and federal governments, along with other youth serving agencies and parents, are integral members of the community development model employed by the Career Transitions project.

The coordination and implementation of career development activities and programming for youth is at the core of all Career Transitions' initiatives. Student and teacher support relative to career planning is a primary objective and the majority of project activity is directed towards this goal. Project staff assists teachers and students to implement a variety of career development programming employing print materials, video, web sites, guest speakers, community presenters, and youth workshops to assist students with career planning.

The core objectives guide Career Transitions in its development, planning and community activities, these include:

  • Coordinating and implementing career development activities and programming for youth
  • Responding to and supporting identified needs of school partners relative to career development
  • Promoting lifelong learning
  • Supporting the contribution of expertise and resources by project partners
  • Promoting school-business partnerships

Services

Class Presentations

Popular sessions include:

  • Choices - introduction to career decisions. Influence of personal values and personality in career choice.
  • Career Cruising - an online resource
  • Destination 2020 - designed for middle school students to help bolster their self-esteem by showing them the useful skills they have that will help in their future careers.
  • Real Game Series - students experience the career development process through role play. This activity requires several class period.
  • Smart Options - introduces students to using knowledge of multiple intelligences to make career planning decisions.
  • Portfolio Development -present the concept of portfolios, how to develop a portfolio and the role in employment and/or post-secondary program application.

Job Shadow Day (Grades 11-12)

  • We work with the school-based teacher contact to provide information to students and make work site placements
  • Fall Placements will take place in November
  • Spring Placement will take place in April
  • Job Shadow

Take Our Kids To Work Day (Grade 9)

  • The first Wednesday in November parents and volunteer hosts will bring an understanding of the demands and opportunities in the work world to their grade 9 student visitors
  • Promote nation-wide event to media
  • Facilitate teacher in-service / orientation considering new safety recommendations
  • Check the website for materials: www.takeourkidstowork.ca

Skills Canada Regional Competition

  • Secondary and post-secondary students will have an opportunity to compete in CTS subject competitions
  • Junior high students will be encouraged to tour the competition to observe high school students demonstrating CTS skills in action
  • Skills Canada Competition

Parent Workshops / Presentations

  • Research has shown parents are an important career planning resource for youth.
  • Staff is available to speak with school council.
  • How to High 5 - an evening workshop designed to help parents assist their children with career decisions is also an option. We provide everything but the parents!
  • Scholarship Information
  • Financing Post Secondary Education

Chinook Regional Cardboard Boat Race

  • Designed for students in grades 8 to 11, they design, construct and race a boat made of cardboard across a swimming pool. Participants are provided with materials to design and construct the cardboard boat.
  • Cardboard Boat Races

Lemonade Apprentice

  • A one-day session for students who will design and open their own Lemonade Stand using the five principles of marketing, and develop the business minds of entrepreneurs.

Mentorship Program

  • Career Development lessons taught in small groups to at-risk youth
  • A series of up to 10 lessons are available, customized to the student needs

WHMIS Training

  • 3-hour training, student certification based on St. John Ambulance materials

Teacher In-services

Past offerings included:

  • St. John Ambulance instructor certification
  • Alberta Education career curriculum changes / updates
  • RAP / Work Experience - question and answer information session
  • Career Cruising

To access any of these services or to get more information, please contact us at 328-3996.