Two Halifax high school students are taking a hands-on first step towards successful careers working with AV俱乐部 Facilities Management.
J.L. Ilsley Secondary School Students Joe Organ and Jesse Langille have been turning their high school education into real-life experience in trades and technologies by enrolling in the Halifax Regional School Board鈥檚 Options and Opportunities Program.
Finding the right fit
Options and Opportunities, or 鈥極2鈥� as it鈥檚 known, offers an experiential learning opportunity for high school students to gain practical education in the field they鈥檙e interested in. The program matches students with partners in the community, where they can work alongside professionals in trades and technologies, business education, health and human services, hospitality and tourism, arts, culture and recreation and IT. 聽
One of O2鈥檚 goals is to help students appreciate the multitude of options available to them, and help them select the educational path 鈥� be in post-secondary, trades education or the workforce 鈥� that helps them get where they want to go.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really about finding something that works,鈥� says Joe of the program鈥檚 potential.
Diverse experiences
Joe and Jesse are both currently working with Facilities Management at Dal. The broad range of infrastructure necessary to keep the university running makes it an ideal place to gain experience in a variety of areas. It鈥檚 an opportunity for the students to learn about multiple trades while building relationships and working with staff with years of practical experience.
鈥淭his morning I replaced a coupling; yesterday I was doing steamfitting,鈥� says Jesse. 鈥淚鈥檓 out and about all the time 鈥� I don鈥檛 just work on one thing in one place.鈥�
A broader variety of experiences means a stronger portfolio or CV after high school. 鈥淲hether you鈥檙e applying for a job, or college or trade school, the more you can show you鈥檝e done and experienced, the more seriously they鈥檙e going to take you,鈥� says Joe.
Full credit
The students are given full credit for their participation, and may choose to opt into the program as early as Grade 10. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a serious commitment,鈥� says Jesse, who plans to build on his experience by attending NSCC following graduation. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 not like other career development programs. I鈥檝e learned a lot that will directly help me get where I want to be.鈥�
Both students would highly recommend the program to others, emphasizing that it is not just open to trades and technologies. 鈥淕etting experience is never a bad thing,鈥� Joe advises. 鈥淵ou can still take the courses you want at school, but O2 adds another level to learning.鈥�