Training and Secondary School Completion Program
September 1, 2009
Training and Secondary School Completion Program: General Information and Q&A
Introduction to the Training and Secondary School Completion Program
There’s no experience that quite compares to learning on the job. In today’s economy, work experience is an asset for students pursuing careers directly after secondary school. Still, without completing high school, choices are few, and the options narrow in the workforce. The Training and Secondary School Completion Program (TASSC) is a means for students to complete all the requirements for high school graduation, while gaining valuable introductions to the workforce.
Purpose
TASSC is a two-year secondary school completion program focused on work experience, preparing students for the workplace after graduation. Through TASSC, students have the opportunity to complete all of the courses required for a high school graduation and their Dogwood diploma. This program provides opportunities to explore work environments that would otherwise be inaccessible to students, and allows them to sample the rigors of full-time work. Through the TASSC staff and our partners in the community, students can develop the skills and experience that contribute to success in the workforce.
TASSC balances the required academic curriculum with the development of skills and attributes highly-valued by employers including: a strong work ethic; a sense of community; awareness of key employability skills; and training in aspects of safety in the workplace.
Features and benefits of the program
• Provides a full complement of Grade 11 and 12 courses needed for graduation, on a flexible, self-paced schedule
• Offers individual instruction, with additional support provided to students who need extra help
• Supports self-confidence and employability through meaningful, hands on work experience
• Accommodates students who have left school and want to re-enter to complete their high school education while obtaining work experience
• Develops self-confidence through work experience
• Leads “Wednesday Wellness” to introduce students to recreational opportunities like golf, curling, tennis…even laser tag!
Eligibility criteria/referral procedures
All students in the program must have completed Grade 10. Students in TASSC must have the goal of completing their graduation requirements and earning their Dogwood Certificate while gaining valuable work experience.
Contact information
Students should first discuss TASSC with their secondary school counselor. Registration and referrals are then directed to the District Counselor. Students can also contact the program directly at 604-903-3800.
Q&A
How do I know this program is right for me?
Students in the TASSC program must have finished Grade 10 and be motivated to complete their graduation requirements and earn their Dogwood Certificate in an alternative school setting that facilitates work experience.
Students who need more time to work through a particular course can be well-suited for the program. TASSC is designed for independent learners who are comfortable with having help as they need it. Individuals who like to focus on a particular assignment until it is complete before moving on, or those who prefer to work progressively “one step at a time” also fit well into this program.
Is it difficult to get into the TASSC? Is there a wait list? Do I have to wait until September to begin? Can I register and begin at any time in the school year?
The length of the waitlist for TASSC varies throughout the year. Students can enter the program at any time during the school year. Prior to registering in TASSC, staff meet with the prospective student so that the he/she has all the information needed to make an informed decision about enrolling in the TASSC program.
Is TASSC a modified curriculum?
Courses and requirements for graduation are the same for TASSC students as they are for students at a mainstream secondary school. The curriculum is not modified, although students in TASSC can receive extra help and support, at an individualized pace, to accommodate their needs as learners.
What is the success rate of TASSC? Do most students graduate?
Over 90% of our Grade 12 students in the last 10 years have graduated and entered the workforce. Some have gone on to post-secondary school.
Where is the program located?
TASSC is part of Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary School and is located near the corner of Keith Road and Mountain Highway, making it easily accessible via bike, car or public transit.
Does TASSC follow regular school hours? Do students attend school every day? What does a typical day’s schedule look like?
TASSC students are expected to attend every day, Monday to Thursday, 9:00 to 3:00, and Friday 9:00 to 11:50. Students have flexibility in their school day, and may work on whichever subjects they choose. We expect a certain amount of work to be completed during a reporting period, but students may set their own daily schedule.
Do parents have a role in TASSC?
We encourage parents to be part of their children’s learning process. Support at home helps students to believe that they are capable of learning and succeeding in high school. We have parent-teacher meetings throughout the year, and maintain as much contact as parents would like.
What kinds of places and businesses have students worked at in the past through TASSC?
Our Work Experience program has provided diverse placement opportunities, from Allied Shipbuilding and Keith Plumbing & Heating to Highlands Animal Hospital and Lynn Valley Care Centre. Students have worked in animation studios and restaurants, with landscapers and automotive technicians, at Wal-Mart and Garden Works. Some students have worked at their old elementary schools, and some have worked with their parents. The opportunities are as diverse as the business and working communities on the North Shore and beyond.
After graduation, do students tend to get jobs at the places where they have work experience?
Many students have moved directly into full-time work at their final placement. Some students have been offered jobs even while they are still in school. Most of them use their placements as a starting point for long-term career paths. One student took what she learned in her work placements and started her own business. Some have decided to pursue post-secondary schooling in order to build on what they learned in their placements. In doing three or four Work Experience placements, TASSC students build skills and knowledge that helps them successfully choose the jobs that are right for them.
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