For high school students, choosing their post-secondary destination is a critical decision point. Various kinds of work experiences better prepare students to make the transition from high school to work, apprenticeship, college and university.

More Work Experiences Needed for High School Students

The new four-year Ontario high school program includes a literacy test, community involvement, and additional mathematics, science and career education to help students succeed in our competitive economy. The new program emphasizes the importance of out-of-classroom career-related experiences for students, and for the first time requires all school boards to offer co-operative education, work experience and school-work transition programs to all interested students.

Efforts are under way to expand the availability of these programs for high school students across the province. That's where the involvement of employers is critical.

Employers Needed

To meet the increased demand for work placements for students, schools need more employers willing to provide them with work experiences.

Employers can help connect students to the world of work by increasing their career awareness and providing various kinds of work experiences. By working together, employers and schools can ensure that students develop the skills, attitudes and knowledge for future success.

Offering Students Work Experience

As an employer, you can offer students a variety of work experiences. Programs range from short-term, one-day events to having a student with you for a whole semester (four months).

Short - Term Several hours to one day Career talks, classrom visits Involvement in career fairs or career days Worksite or industry tours Medium - Term One day to four weeks Job shadowing Work experience Long - Term Time commitment varies - up to 18 weeks per year School - work transitions Co-operative education Ontario Youth Apprenticeship program Mentoring

All students benefit from work experiences regardless of their destinations and goals after graduation. The programs they choose will vary according to their interests and future goals.