Career Decisions Made Easier for Students

More than 10,000 students will graduate from high school in Nova Scotia this year and the province is helping them plan to get the careers of their choice.

"There are real advantages for students to look at career options early on," said Education Minister Karen Casey. "Making career decisions can be difficult and we want students to have the tools they need to make informed choices. We need to ensure they are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities Nova Scotia has to offer."

As part of Canada Career Week -- Sunday, Oct. 29 to Saturday, Nov.4 -- and Take Our Kids to Work Day, today, Nov. 1, the Department of Education is reminding students, parents and teachers about the many career resources, courses and programming options available to students.

This week, each Grade 9 student should receive a copy of the Nova Scotia Career Guide for Students and Parents, which includes tips for planning high school courses, ideas to build practical skills while still in high school, employment trends and a list of hot jobs. Schools will also receive class sets of the 2006-07 Career Options handbook with detailed information on hundreds of careers.

"It's important to get students thinking about career options before they get to high school," said Lori Welsh-Hawley, guidance counsellor at Fairview Junior High School. "Resources that open their minds to the opportunities that exist, like the Grade 9 guide, are very positive. It gets them thinking about what they want and how to get there."

Students, parents and career counsellors can also find information online at novascotiacareeroptions.ca . The site has information on more than 300 careers for Nova Scotians -- from wages and work prospects to training requirements. The new interactive career counsellor, can walk visitors through the career planning process step by step.

If students are interested in getting hands-on experience, there are several programs and initiatives that connect the classroom to the workplace. A program launched this year in 27 schools, called Options and Opportunities, matches students with qualified employers to give them opportunities to gain experience in the workplace.

Work experience is also a component of co-operative education, a program offered in many schools across the province. Also, through youth apprenticeship 16- to 19-year-olds can explore careers in the skilled trades and begin working toward their apprenticeship while they are still in high school.

"We're very focused on getting employers more involved in the education system," said Stuart Gourley, senior executive director of the department's skills and learning branch. "Programs like this help students graduate with a plan for their futures and help prepare them for the labour market. They're also an investment for employers in the strength and capability of their future workforce."

The department also launched Invest in Youth, a new initiative that encourages employers to work with schools to help young people connect with the workplace. This could include a workplace tour or a job shadow or taking on a student for a work placement. As part of the project, the department is building a secure database of employer profiles to make it easier for schools, students and employers to get connected.

For more information on Invest in Youth, see the website at www.investinyouth.ca . For information on career resources and planning, see the career options website at novascotiacareeroptions.ca .