Graduation Program

Frequently Asked Questions about Career Programs

Q. What is a Career Program?
A. Career Programs are educational programs that combine in-school course work with work experience. They are designed to prepare students for entry into the workplace, or continued studies at the post-secondary level in a specific career area. The work experience component consists of at least 90 hours and is more structured than Graduation Transitions work experience. There are currently four different Career Program models available:

• Career Preparation
• Cooperative Education
• Secondary School Apprenticeship
• Career Technical Centres / ACE IT

Q. Why would I want to be in one?
A. Career Programs help you to focus on what you want to do after Grade 12 graduation. They also help you develop specific workplace skills.

Q. What is the difference between Career Preparation and Cooperative Education?
A. Career Preparation consists of a package of in-school courses that relate to a specific career area or field of interest, plus at least one 4-credit work experience course. Cooperative Education consist of two or more 4-credit work experience courses that provide the opportunity to explore a variety of careers and to work on employment skills.

Q. Will your current job count as work experience for Career Programs?
A. Usually not. Unlike Graduation Transitions work experience, Career Programs work experience generally consists of school-arranged, non-paid work placements. The main exception is Secondary School Apprenticeship that consists of paid, on-the-job training.

Q. What's the deal with Secondary School Apprenticeship?
A. It's a program that allows you to earn money while learning valuable job skills and 16 credits toward your high school graduation. In addition, you can win a $1000 scholarship if you continue in your apprenticeship after graduation.