Career and Applied Programs

Work Experience: A Resource for Graduation Transitions

Work experience and/or community service is a requirement of Graduation Transitions. This document provides information concerning the work experience component of Graduation Transitions.

Objectives of Work Experience

Work experience provides students with an opportunity to:

use or develop employability skills
gain valuable experience in a setting outside the school
explore community workplaces

In-school experiences, like live broadcast TV or work on the school annual, are not considered ‘work experience’ because they are not community-based. Similarly, career fairs, although valuable as career exploration activities, are not work experience.

Work experience should engage students in the community and provide them with an opportunity to use or develop employability skills.

Benefits of Work Experience

Work experience provides students with the following benefits:

earn credit for exploring the workplace at a practical level
make decisions based on a realistic understanding of the workplace
develop qualities and skills that are transferable to, and contribute to success in, employment and career development
reference(s) for future employers
increase awareness of interests and aptitudes
develop self-confidence
develop work-related networks/contacts
support the transition from school to work or further education

Timing of Work Experience

Required work experience and/or community service is intended to take place after students complete the relevant learning outcomes in Planning 10, particularly through the 'Education and Careers' organizer, in which students undertake job readiness and reflection activities. As part of Planning 10, students and educators plan for work experience and/or community service. The accumulation of Graduation Transitions evidence takes place in Grades 10 to 12.

Work Experience Placement Options

When possible, work placement choices should relate to students’ career and personal goals, and reflect their personal likes, interests, and abilities, as these factors are the basis of career planning.

Elective work experience courses, or other school-arranged non-paid placements, are effective ways to provide students with work experience that promotes the development of employability skills. However, Graduation Transitions work experience can be paid or unpaid, and school- or student-arranged. Examples of ways to satisfy the work experience and/or community service component of Graduation Transitions include:

hands-on work at a work site under the supervision of a work site sponsor in a business, government, non-profit or volunteer organization
job shadowing at a work site
volunteer experience with a community organization
Ministry-Authorized Work Experience course
Secondary School Apprenticeship course

Graduation Transitions Evidence

The following table provides examples of evidence that students have met the community connections learning outcome of Graduation Transitions:

Learning Outcomes	Sample Evidence
Participation in at least 30 hours of work experience and/or community service	a letter, form, or certificate signed by an employer or community agency/organization listing dates and hours worked pay slip(s) time log sheet/book T4 slip
Describes the duties performed, the connections between the experience and employability/life skills, and the benefit to the community and to the student	a letter, report, or form signed by an employer or community agency/organization describing the nature of the work or tasks/duties performed a report that links the fundamental skills used or developed to the work or tasks/duties performed a report that links the personal management skills used or developed to the work or tasks/duties performed a report that links the teamwork skills used or developed to the work or tasks/duties performed workplace supervisor’s evaluation journal entries photos/video presentation

Resources

Additional information concerning required and elective work experience can be found in: