(Photo provided by Chinook’s Edge School Division)
Students from across the Chinook’s Edge School Division explored the skilled trades through the Career and Technology Foundations (CTF) Fuse Your Future program.
Through the three-day program at Olds College of Agriculture and Technology, 60 Grade 9 students learned what Career and Technology Studies (CTS) courses will be available to them at the high school level.
“We designed CTF Fuse Your Future to allow students to explore different career-related experiences earlier than high school, which we anticipate will help with navigating career pathway planning,” said Brianne Fletcher, Career Connections Coordinator.
Related stories:
- Sylvan Lake student preparing for career in the skilled trades
- Chinook’s Edge students learn skills through career-building experiences
The division is working to extend Career Connections to lower grades, helping to build students’ confidence moving into the dual credit programs in high school.
“Just imagine how well versed and confident our students will be entering into these career experiences in high school,” Fletcher said. “I’m excited about that and what this does for their future.”
This year, students completed a safety orientation online, so more time was spent learning about welding, from journeyperson instructors.
“The three days allow students to grasp the content and hands-on portion of welding and understand how to be successful in skilled trades careers as they head into high school,” Fletcher said.
Bella Stoutenburg, a Grade 9 student from Spruce View School explained that she wanted to take the program to determine what she’s interested in as a future career.
“The trades have always been an interest of mine,” she said. “I want to learn more about welding and all trades."
(Photo provided by Chinook’s Edge School Division)
Noah Hetu, a Grade 9 student from Spruce View School, said he enjoys anything trades-related.
"This has been a great opportunity to extend my knowledge in the trades.
“My family is a part of the trades, and I too will be a part of the trades after high school,” Hetu said. “I love the feeling of being in the shop and learning.”
Jackson Corkum, a Grade 9 student from Ecole Olds High School, added that he enjoys having the opportunity to learn outside the classroom and explore career options.
“The day was full of hands-on learning and was very interesting. I'm looking forward to creating more projects and learning more about welding in the next two classes,” Corkum said.
**With information provided by Chinook’s Edge School Division
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