Off-Campus Education

What is it?

Career Internship 10 is a workplace-based curriculum designed to assist senior high school students in making informed decisions about their transitions from high school to post-secondary and/or the workplace.

Career Internship 10 means off-campus experiential learning undertaken by a senior high school student 15 years of age or older:

• as an integral part of a planned school program
• that is under the cooperative supervision of a certificated teacher and the onsite representative (usually the onsite supervisor)
• where the learning activity constitutes a separate course based on 25 hours per credit and meets the standards specified for the general and specific outcomes in the program of studies

How does it work?

The prerequisites and process for registering in Career Internship 10 are:

• Students must complete HCS3000: Workplace Safety Systems prior to enrolling in Career Internship 10
• Career Internship 10 may be offered for 3, 4 or 5 credits
• Credits earned may be counted toward the requirements for an Alberta High School Diploma and/or a Certificate of High School Achievement
• Students enroled in Career Internship 10 require a course learning plan with measurable goals and outcomes

Students may benefit from enroling in Career Internship 10 before enroling in the Registered Apprenticeship Program. Career Internship 10 may help determine a student’s suitability for a specific trade before applying to become an apprentice.

CAREERS: NextGen

CAREERS: The Next Generation - CAREERS works with Alberta schools to connect students to employers for paid internships. High school students learn and earn as they test drive different careers through paid internships, helping them find out what kind of work appeals to them. Contact your Off-Campus Coordinator if you are interested in learning more about skilled internship opportunities.

Contact your school Guidance Counsellor, Administrator, or Off-Campus Coordinator if you are interested in this program.

Students enroled in Workplace Practicum are part of the Knowledge and Employability program (K&E). Workplace Practicum is the foundation of a K&E student’s programming. Students are required to successfully complete two to three placements.

What is it?

The courses are intended to provide students with opportunities to experience success and become well prepared for employment, further studies, active citizenship and lifelong learning.

Workplace Readiness 10-4, Workplace Practicum 20-4, and Workplace Practicum 30-4 refer to off-campus experiential learning undertaken by a senior high school student that

• may include job shadowing, job investigation or research, workplace observation, work site investigation or a mentorship arrangement or project
• is an integral part of the Knowledge and Employability curriculum
• is under the cooperative supervision of a certificated teacher and the employer’s onsite representative (usually the onsite supervisor)
• provides hands-on experience to help students relate their learning to everyday life in the workplace and community
• is part of a five-credit (125 hour) course

How does it work?

The prerequisites and process for registering in Workplace Practicum are:

• Senior high school students must complete HCS3000: Workplace Safety Systems or Workplace Readiness 10-4 prior to enroling in Workplace Practicum 20-4 and/or Workplace Practicum 30-4
• Senior high school students should be enroled in and/or have completed an occupational course at the 20 and 30 levels related to the practicum placement
• Workplace practicums can be extended in time and credits, following completion of the five-credit (125 hour) course, by allocating work experience credits
• Students may access more than one practicum at the 20 and 30 levels to correspond with the number of prerequisite occupational courses they have taken
• Credits earned may be counted toward the requirement for a Certificate of High School Achievement and/or an Alberta High School Diploma

Contact your school Guidance Counsellor, Administrator, or Learning Support Teacher if you are interested in this program.

Work Experience provides opportunities for students to gain practical experience as they apply and expand their knowledge, skills and attitudes in contexts that will assist them in making wise decisions regarding their future education, training, and employment upon leaving senior high school and allow for the smooth transition from school to work and/or post-secondary institutions.

What is it?

Students enroled in the Work Experience Program are part of the regular High School Program.

Work Experience 15, 25, 35 is off-campus experiential learning undertaken by a senior high school student 15 years of age or older:

• that is an integral part of a planned school program
• that is under the cooperative supervision of a certificated teacher and the employer’s onsite representative (usually the onsite supervisor)
• where the activity constitutes separate work experience courses based on 25 hours per credit
• that may involve volunteer activities, paid employment or both

What are the benefits?

• Earn up to 15 credits towards your high school diploma, 10 of which can be at the 35 level
• Gain work or volunteer experience
• Strengthen your resume
• Use your work experience mark for the Alexander Rutherford Scholarshipto increase your average for your Grade 10, Grade 11 and Grade 12 marks
• Use it as a fifth entrance course for many university and college programs (check with your teacher counsellor for specifics)

How does it work?

The prerequisites and process for registering in Work Experience are:

• Students must be in Grades 10 – 12. Minimum 15 years of age or older
• Students must have a job or volunteer position that meets the eligibility requirements (supervision provided; safe and caring environment; adheres to youth employment laws; and other factors as determined)
• Prior to beginning, students must:
  • Meet with their school Guidance Counsellor or Administrator and their Off-Campus Coordinator
  • Complete the 1-credit pre-requisite course, HCS 3000: Workplace Safety Systems
  • Complete the Off-campus Education package and obtained the necessary signatures
• Work experience courses may be offered for variable credit options with a maximum of 30 credits awarded to a student. A maximum of 15 work experience credits can be counted toward the Alberta High School Diploma requirements
• Students must acquire a minimum of 75 hours to earn the minimum of three credits
• Students may enrol in Work Experience 35 without having completed Work Experience 15 and/or Work Experience 25; however, as levels increase, students are expected to demonstrate skills at a higher level of proficiency; a more advanced skill set; or the ability to work effectively in a more complex or sophisticated environment
• A student may not earn credits in work experience courses retroactively. A student must be enroled in a work experience course that has been fully approved by an off-campus teacher before they can begin earning hours for credit
• Students enrolled in work experience require a course learning plan for each level (15, 25, or 35)
• The work site must be approved by an Off-campus Coordinator

Contact your school Guidance Counsellor, Administrator, or Off-Campus Coordinator if you are interested in this program.

The Registered Apprenticeship Program is a way for a high school student to become an apprentice and gain credits towards both an apprenticeship program and a high school diploma at the same time.

What is it?

RAP is a “real-world” program so students are regular paid employees. If you are a focused and motivated student, RAP lets you get a head-start on your career by helping you learn a trade as early as Grade 10.

High school students interested in pursuing RAP follow three steps:

1. Pick a trade

There are more than 50 trades in Alberta. Resources for learning more about trades in Alberta

• Designated Trades Profiles
• Learn about Apprenticeship

2. Find an employer

This is an employer who will sponsor you as a RAP student. They will hire and train you as a RAP apprentice.

3. Fill out the application at Trade Secrets Alberta

Once you submit your application, your employer will be sent an email with instructions to access your application for confirmation of your RAP apprenticeship. Make sure you contact your Off-campus Coordinator.

What are the benefits?

In RAP, the focus is on skilled trades. Students can:

• earn up to 40 high school credits
• earn hours while in RAP that are applied to an apprenticeship program after high school graduation
• be automatically registered as a regular apprentice after high school graduation
• be eligible for a scholarship of $1,000 to $2,000

How does it work?

The prerequisites and process for registering in RAP are:

• Students must be in Grades 10 – 12. Minimum 15 years of age or older
• Students must have a sponsor/employer and have paid employment with them
• Before beginning, students must:
  • Meet with their school Guidance Counsellor or Administrator and their Off-Campus Coordinator
  • Complete the 1-credit pre-requisite course, HCS 3000: Workplace Safety Systems
  • Complete the Off-campus Education package and obtained the necessary signatures

Students who have obtained a sponsor/employer in their trade area of choice can go directly to the Government of Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training website to begin the Registered Apprenticeship Program application process.

Learn more:

• Apprenticeship and Industry Training website
• Trade Entrance Requirements
• RAP Brochure

CAREERS: Next Gen

If students can’t find their own RAP placement, they can put in an application with CAREERS to try and find a skilled internship. These are usually about 125 hours in length, and if it’s a good fit, it can lead to RAP. The skilled internship offers students a chance to try out a skilled trade. Internships are not guaranteed. For more information, please visit the website below and contact your Off-Campus Coordinator.

Careers Next Gen

Contact your school Guidance Counsellor, Administrator, or Off-Campus Coordinator if you are interested in the Registered Apprenticeship Program.

The Green Certificate Program provides students with opportunities to enter a variety of agriculture-related, structured learning pathways as a part of their senior high school program and to earn up to 16 Grade 12 diploma credits and a credential leading to a career in agribusiness. Students learn on the job, under the direction of experienced farm personnel.

What is it?

Trainees select one of the specializations and under the guidance of their own trainer, work towards mastering all skills within their training program including:

What are the benefits?

• Earn up to 16 Grade 12 diploma credits per specialization completed
• Have fun learning more about agriculture in a practical, hands-on environment
• Increase your knowledge and skill level and gain valuable work experience
• Reach further educational goals; many post-secondary agricultural institutions and scholarship programs look favourably upon Green Certificate involvement
• Explore career options in the agriculture industry
• Earn recognition for what you can already do on the farm
• Learn more about crops or animals, agriculture, machinery and farming operations
• Include the experience and training on your resume and add the certificate of completion to your portfolio

How does it work?

The prerequisites and process for registering in the Green Certificate are:

• 15 years of age
• Enrolled in Grades 10, 11 or 12
• Complete AGR3000 - pre-requisite Farm Safety Course
• Arrange your training site and the participation of a trainer who will work with you
• Meet with your Off-Campus Coordinator and complete the registration form
• Attend an induction meeting over Zoom hosted by the Olds Regional Coordinator (student & parent/guardian)
• Develop a training plan with your trainer and train on all the skills in the book.
• Perform on-farm tests of skill competencies and attend certification tests at a regional test centre when scheduled

Learn more:

• Olds College of Technology and Agriculture
• Green Certificate Info Sheet
• Green Certificate FAQ
• 4-H and Green Certificate

Contact your school Guidance Counsellor, Administrator, or Off-Campus Coordinator if you are interested in the Green Certificate program.