Helping Nova Scotia Students Shape Their Futures

Grade 9 students visited workplaces across the province today, Nov. 3, as part of Take Our Kids to Work Day. Students are also learning more about career options in the classroom through the recently released Nova Scotia Career Guide and other career- related resources.

"It's never too early for students to start thinking about their career options," said Jamie Muir, Minister of Education, after talking to Grade 9 students visiting the Department of Education today. "In Grade 9, students have important decisions to make about the high school courses they need to pursue a particular career, or to keep their options open. We help students make informed decisions by providing them with career education in the classroom and opportunities to gain first-hand experience in the workplace."

In junior high and high school, students learn about career options, factors that influence career choices, and how to plan for a career. In Grades 7-9, the health/personal development and relationships curriculum includes a career education component. In high school, students are required to take career and life management 11.

High school students can also take career-related courses linked to labour market demands. Interest in these courses, which help students link their strengths and preferences with potential careers, is increasing. In 2003-04, almost 3,000 students in the province enrolled in film and video production 12 and in tourism 11.

"These courses help kids learn more about their options," said Calhoun Malay, a Grade 12 student at St. Patrick's High School who took film and video production last year. "It's fun, hands-on experience and you learn basic skills. I think courses like this are great because they help students develop a broad knowledge base and that's important because education is about more than scholastics."

Providing career resources and support is also part of Skills Nova Scotia, the provincial skills agenda. One of the resources provided to Grade 9 students is the Nova Scotia Career Guide. The guide describes the Nova Scotia labour market and introduces students to the Career Options handbook and website. Information such as occupation descriptions, the training required and salaries, is available on the site at careeroptions.ednet.ns.ca .

"The career guide is a great resource for students," said Mr. Muir. "It helps students understand what to expect when they enter the workforce and provides them with information to make informed decisions about their careers."

The guide was recently distributed to junior and senior high school principals, teachers and guidance counsellors.