Career Pathways programs help students explore future career options while earning high school elective credits. Through hands-on learning and real-world experiences, students gain valuable skills and insights into various industries, setting a strong foundation for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
SAMPLER PROGRAMS
Sampler Programs give students in Grades 10–12 the chance to explore a variety of career fields such as health care, technology, engineering, and trades. These hands-on experiences help students discover their interests while earning Grade 12 elective credits and building skills for future education and employment.
Health Career Sampler
This sampler program will provide students an opportunity to explore a variety of high demand health care careers, sample job tasks and identify educational requirements for entry into the healthcare profession. Explore industries from health office administration, dental health, pharmacy, nursing, social work and counselling, and allied health.
Program Information
Program runs February to June (two evenings per week and Saturdays).
Location: Okanagan College Vernon Campus (7000 College Way, Coldstream, BC).
Students will receive one grade 12 elective course (4 credits).
Students will:
- Learn common terminology used in healthcare settings.
- Build therapeutic relationships within professional practice standards.
- Understand scope of practice and interprofessional health care teams.
- Develop cultural sensitivity and inclusive practices.
- Identify labour market needs, job opportunities in the local area and how to prepare and apply to college programs.
Useful Links:
Application Package
Contact
Please contact your school Career Coordinator for more information and application package
Engineering Sampler
The Engineering Sampler program introduces students to the multifaceted world of engineering. Students will explore four key engineering fields and learn fundamental principles and gain an understanding of the design process. This program combines theoretical learning with hands on activities, providing students with insight into the profession and the educational pathways available to them. Students will also analyze problem solving strategies and be introduced to key systems and applications within the engineering sector. Whether you're passionate about building structures, creating machines, managing water resources, or exploring electronics, this course offers a dynamic and engaging entry point into the engineering field.
Program Information
Program runs February to June (two evenings per week and some Saturdays).
Location: Okanagan College Vernon Campus (7000 College Way, Coldstream, BC).
Students will receive one grade 12 elective course (4 credits) for Engineering 12.
Useful Links:
Application Package
Contact
Please contact your school Career Coordinator for more information and application package
Spa Sampler
The Spa Sampler Program offers high school students a behind-the-scenes look at the exciting and creative world of esthetics and nail technology. Designed as an engaging and educational introduction, this program introduces students to the fundamentals of skincare, spa treatments, and nail techniques.
Through demonstrations, guided discussions, and self-practice activities, students will develop an appreciation for the skills, professionalism, and creativity involved in the esthetics and nail technology fields. Students will have the exciting opportunity to observe professional demonstrations and actively participate by practicing simplified versions of treatments on themselves; such as mini facials, basic nail care, and relaxation techniques, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a supportive learning environment.
Program Information
Program runs September to January (two evenings per week and Saturdays).
Location: Okanagan College Vernon Campus (Spa Training Centre - 7000 College Way, Coldstream, BC).
Students will receive one grade 12 elective course (4 credits).
Useful Links:
Application Package
Contact
Please contact your school Career Coordinator for more information and application package
Technology Sampler
The Technology Sampler Program introduces learners to the world of information technology and computer science. With conceptual learning and hands-on activities, learners will explore and gain foundational skills in two key areas — IT Essentials and Introduction to Coding.
Program Information
Programs runs September to January (two evenings per week).
Location: Okanagan College Vernon Campus (7000 College Way, Coldstream, BC).
Students will receive one grade 12 elective course (4 credits) for Computer Programming 12.
Useful Links:
Application Package
Contact
Please contact your school Career Coordinator for more information and application package
Trades Sampler
The Trades Sampler program is ideal for students wishing to learn practical skills, gain general employment certifications, and explore trades careers. This program is a unique opportunity to explore a variety of trades—including Automotive, Carpentry, Electrical, Heavy Mechanical, Plumbing and Piping, and Sheet Metal —and to acquire basic skills that will prove fundamental if you decide to become a tradesperson.
Program Information
Program runs during Semester One (September to January) and Semester Two (February to June), 8:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday.
Location: Okanagan College Vernon Campus (7000 College Way, Coldstream, BC).
Students will receive three grade 12 elective courses (12 credits).
Useful Links:
Application Package
Contact
Please contact your school Career Coordinator for more information and application package
FORESTRY
Designed for students in Grades 11 and 12, the Forestry Trades Program offers hands-on training in forestry and related trades. Through practical experience and industry-relevant learning, students gain valuable skills and earn high school credits while exploring exciting opportunities in the natural resource sector.
Forestry Trades Program
Think of the Forestry Trades program as career life development. Who are you? What are your values, skills, strengths, and areas of development? Exploring possible career paths? What types of work interests you? What types of work fits your values and skill set? This program helps students to be flexible and capable when adapting successfully in today’s rapidly changing field of careers.
This program is held out of Charles Bloom Secondary school. Three days a week, students are outside at Woodlot 1908 experiencing and learning about important skills and characteristics sought by many employers in industries from; forestry, mining, construction, oil and gas, and road building. Students learn about critical team skills, safety, work ethic, initiative, reliability, problem-solving, respect, confidence, and character building. These valuable skills focus on future employment no matter what field.
To partner with the unique skills that students learn in the Forestry Trades Program, students participate in the following training opportunities: Level 1 Occupational First Aid, safety training in shop & logging practices, WorkSafe BC presentation, optional ENFORM Level 1 Chainsaw Certification, chainsaw maintenance/repairs, and operating heavy duty equipment.
Program Information
Students in grades 11 and 12
Program Dates: GRADE 12--SEM 1, GRADE 11--SEM 2
Credits Received:
Grade 11 students complete 4 courses for 16 credits:
- Skills Exploration 11A
- Science for Citizens 11
- Workplace Math 11
- Logging 11
Grade 12 students complete 4 courses for 16 credits:
- Career Life Connections 12 (CLC) - Optional
- Skills Exploration 12A: Auto/Heavy Duty and Welding modules
- Forestry 12 – Specialized Science
- Logging 12
Useful Links:
Application Package
Contact
Nathan Bartel
Email: nbartel@sd22.bc.ca
APPRENTICESHIPS
Youth Apprenticeship programs allow high school students to begin training in a skilled trade while still working toward graduation. Students gain real-world experience under the guidance of certified tradespeople and earn high school credits, setting them on a path toward certification and a rewarding career in the trades.
Work in Trades
Youth Work in Trades program, jointly supported by the Ministry of Education and Child Care and SkilledTradesBC, allows students to begin apprenticeship training as part of their secondary school education.
This program combines paid work-based training and a provincial curriculum that focuses on connecting, applying, reflecting on, and refining workplace skills and safety, work ethic, and job readiness.
Students enrolled in Youth Work in Trades earn up to 16 credits towards their high school diploma. They are also registered with the SkilledTradesBC as an apprentice (employer sponsored) and accumulate 480 work based training hours required for provincially and nationally recognized industry trades credentials.
This is a wonderful opportunity to get a head start on a trade while completing secondary school graduation.
Program Information
Students formally register with the Skilled Trades BC and in addition to earning 16 Graduation credits, may also qualify for a $1,000.00 Youth Work in Trades Scholarship.
Useful Links:
- Program Poster
- Youth Work in Trades Scholarship Info
- Skilled Trades BC
- Work Safety Resources (The above WorkSafe BC website is the place to start if you’re a high school student in a career education class or apprenticeship program, or if you just want to know more about workplace health and safety).
Application Package
Work in Trades Application Package
Contact
Tim Thorpe
Phone: (250)549-6921
Email: tthorpe@sd22.bc.ca
WORK EXPERIENCE
Work experience is the skills and knowledge gained from performing a job or task, whether paid or unpaid, such as through a part-time job, internship, or volunteering.
Work Experience (WEX 12A and WEX 12B)
This program gives students the opportunity to participate in, observe, and learn about the tasks and responsibilities related to an occupation or career.
Program Information
Students will need 110-120 hours to complete Work Experience (please note students can only count hours after they have met with their Career Coordinator and completed the required paperwork).
Work Experience (WEX 12A/WEX 12B) can count as credits for up to two full courses.
Businesses must have an valid WorkSafe BC Account that is active and in good standing.
Useful Links
- Program Poster
- Work Safety Resources (The above WorkSafe BC website is the place to start if you’re a high school student in a career education class or apprenticeship program, or if you just want to know more about workplace health and safety).
Application
Please see your school Career Coordinator to receive the Application.
Contact
Please contact your school Career Coordinator for more information and application package