Transitioning from high school to apprenticeship

What’s happening in school to work transition for the skilled trades in Canada? What programs are in place and what are some of the exciting innovations? Find out in CAF-FCA’s report “High School to Apprenticeship Transition: Identifying and Sharing Best Practices”.

In February 2010, CAF-FCA brought together jurisdictional officials who administer high school to apprenticeship transition programs, school to work transition coordinators, and other key apprenticeship stakeholders from across Canada to discuss the important topic of high school to apprenticeship transition. Kicking off with presentations from five panelists who shared information on their respective province’s programs, the day also included a presentation from Dr. Linda Duxbury as well as small group discussions. For an agenda of the forum’s activities, please click here (available in English only). You can also view the panelists’ PowerPoint presentations by clicking on the links below (available in English only):

• Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
• Nova Scotia Youth Apprenticeship: Building Partnerships and Creating Success
• New Innovations in School to Work Transitions (New Brunswick)
• Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship
• An Overview and Best Practices in School to Apprenticeship Transition in BC

In the presentations and group discussions, participants shared program strengths and lessons learned, and identified some areas for enhancing high school to apprenticeship transition programs in Canada. Some of the key findings from the forum include:

• Communicate the benefits of participation in high school to apprenticeship transition programs to youth, parents, educators, guidance counsellors and employers;
• Recognize learner achievements to encourage completion of the transition program and support entrance into a full-time postsecondary apprenticeship program; and
• Get buy-in from school boards, administration and industry to maintain and grow high school to apprenticeship transition programs.

For a one pager on high school to apprenticeship transition that you can share with your peers and colleagues, please click here.

And finally, coming this summer, watch for our new online resource for youth – Discover Apprenticeship: Building your Future. Jam-packed with all things apprenticeship, this interactive tool directs users to key sources of information on this opportunity-filled postsecondary option, including provincial and territorial high school to apprenticeship transition programs.

Status:

The project is being overseen by the CAF-FCA Board of Directors and a Working Group, which includes jurisdictional representatives from across the country.

The report will be available in May 2010.

For more information, please contact:

Danielle Matheusik,
Project Manager
613-235-4004 ext. 203 or danielle_matheusik@caf-fca.org