Work Experience

Work experience means that part of an educational program that provides a student with an opportunity to participate in, observe or learn about the performance of tasks and responsibilities related to an occupation or career. (Source: Ministerial Order 282/04 ( PDF) - Effective July 21, 2004)

Rationale for Work Experience

Work experience is intended to help prepare students for the transition from secondary school to the world of work or further education and training. The community becomes the classroom where students gain knowledge and experience about the workplace and are provided with a frame of reference to review or revise their career goals. Work experience provides students with an opportunity to apply classroom learning in a context outside of school and to bring back to the classroom new perspectives about their learning.

Through work experience students will have the opportunity to observe and practice generic employability skills required in the workplace and, in some cases, to practice technical skills relating to specific occupations.

Work Experience and Graduation Requirements

To satisfy graduation requirements, all students must complete a minimum of 30 hours of work experience or volunteer experience. In the Graduation Program 2004, students complete this requirement as part of their mandatory Graduation Portfolio. In the Graduation Program 1995, students complete this requirement as part of their mandatory Career and Personal Planning 11 & 12 courses.

This graduation requirement recognizes the importance of experiential learning and the importance of extending education beyond the classroom into the community. The term "work" is used in the broadest sense, and includes work experience at standard or non-standard workplaces, job shadowing, and volunteer work at community service agencies or other non-profit organizations. The 30 hours of work experience required for graduation may be either paid or unpaid.

Elective Work Experience Courses

To fulfill the 30 hours of work experience required for graduation and/or to provide students with additional work experience, many schools offer elective work experience courses that relate to a Career Program or Focus Area. (See Below) The Ministry is developing a Program Guide for Ministry-Authorized work experience courses (effective September 2005) and some districts have developed their own Board/Authority Authorized work experience courses.

Elective work experience courses provide opportunities for students, especially those whose learning style is better suited to hands-on activities, to further explore career areas and develop job readiness skills as well as technical skills relating to specific occupations or industries. Elective work experience also allows students to further practice the generic employability skills needed to be successful in the world of work.

Focus Areas

• · Business & Applied Business
• · Fine Arts, Design & Media
• · Fitness & Recreation
• · Health & Human Services
• · Liberal Arts/Humanities
• · Science & Applied Science
• · Tourism, Hospitality & Foods
•   Trades & Technology

Resources

Program Guide for Ministry-Authorized Work Experience Courses - March 2005
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/carrers/work_experience.pdf