Calgary, Nov 28th 2001 – Alberta’s largest independent sour gas processor, KeySpan Energy Canada, has formed a partnership with SAIT and the Wild Rose School Division to begin an innovative community-based educational project called Career Pathways.
Career Pathways is a partnership between educators, industry and community groups to offer high school students an integrated education consisting of both academic and vocational learning, before they begin studying at a post-secondary level.
Students from Will Sinclair High School in Rocky Mountain House will be the first students in Alberta to participate in the pilot project. The successful applicants will be offered a summer work term at KeySpan’s Strachan Gas Plant and provided financial assistance towards an energy related program at SAIT.
“The Career Pathways program is an opportunity for us (KeySpan) to invest in our youth,” said KeySpan CEO and President, Jim Bertram. “It will offer students rare insight into their chosen career path as well as support our recruitment strategies for the future,” said Bertram.
It is hoped that the program developed by SAIT will completely transform existing work experience curriculum and greatly enhance high school work-based learning in Alberta.
“Career Pathways will provide individuals with the academic, technical and career specific skills needed for entry into a broad cluster of related occupations and associated admission into postsecondary education,” said Patrick Martens, the Dean for the Centre for Academic Learner Services at SAIT.
SAIT will assist both Will Sinclair High School and KeySpan in the selection of the students to participate in the Career Pathways program and the successful candidates will have the opportunity to work at KeySpan’s Strachan gas plant located outside Rocky Mountain House.
Career Pathways will offer students cutting edge career services that will coordinate and manage both high school and college job shadowing programs, internship programs, short intensive career-related summer camps, and workshops to introduce students and parents to a specific industry or employer.
The Honourable Ty Lund, Minister of Infrastructure and MLA for Rocky Mountain House will be on hand for the official launch of the Career Pathways program which takes place at the Strachan Gas Plant (located just outside Rocky Mountain House) on November 30th from 1:00 pm until 3:00pm. All interested media are welcome to attend.
For more information please call:
Eric Mohun, Manager of Community Relations, Tel: (403) 205 7648, Cell: (403) 875 1761
Who are the Partners in Career Pathways?
- Keyspan Energy Canada
- The Board Of Governors Of The Southern Alberta Institute Of Technology
- The Board Of Trustees Of The Wild Rose School Division #66
What are Career Pathways?
A career pathway is a coherent course of study that provides an individual with the academic, technical and career specific skills needed for entry into a broad cluster of related occupations and associated admission into postsecondary education. It offers opportunities for all students from the academically gifted to those who need remedial education.
A career pathway program integrates academic and vocational learning thus providing contextual learning environments that support students in achieving high academic standards. The program provides for career awareness, self-assessment, job development and advanced postsecondary admissions and course credit. A successful career pathway structure helps students see that the skills and knowledge they are developing in school relates to a range of career options.
How do students get admitted into the Career Pathways Project?
SAIT will assist Rocky Mountain High School and KeySpan in the selection of the successful students for the KeySpan Scholarship/Bursary Program. SAIT will also provide direct entry for those students that have successfully completed the pre-requisite courses to the SAIT programs. Students meeting this qualification must also present documentation for additional program requirements with their application.
How do the internship programs work?
Will Sinclair High School and SAIT will nominate instructors to participate in an Instructor Internship Program with KeySpan. KeySpan will provide instructor internship opportunities for Will Sinclair High School and SAIT instructors.
Scholarships
KeySpan will provide scholarships/bursaries for Will Sinclair High School students that have successfully completed their Career Pathways program and are registered for a SAIT program. Financial assistance may also be provided for members of the Rocky Mountain House community at large who are successfully enrolled in a SAIT program of studies.
Work Placement Programs
KeySpan will provide job shadowing and work experience opportunities at their facilities for selected Will Sinclair High School students.
