cacuss 2007 working with our students before they enroll: the career trek program
TRANSCRIPT
CACUSS 2007
Working with our students before they enroll: The Career Trek Program
Reflections
• Homework• Selecting high school courses• Grades and academic/life potential • Discovering my talents/skills• Post-secondary: What is it and do I want to
go there• Career Day• Parents• $$$
Fighting Poverty through Educational Attainment
Career Trek Incorporated
• A not-for-profit organization formed in 1999 (pilot in ‘96)
• Provide young people (starting at the age of 10) and their families with the opportunity to experience the relevance that gaining a formal education has to their lives.
• Focuses on young people with perceived barriers to accessing post-secondary study.
Key Program Elements?
Experiential
Early intervention
Accessible
Long-Term
Performance-based
Career-focused
Phase 1
A dynamic partnership between:
58 schools
5 school divisions
3 post-secondary
institutions
17 post-secondary
departments/faculties
240 participants and their
families
How does it Work?
• Participating schools nominate families for the program
• Families must attend a mandatory orientation session
• Family must pay the program fee ($20 per term)
Program Structure
• Saturday program (20)
• Runs from October to April
• 2/3:15 staff/child ratio
• Participants are mixed
• 80 careers in 17 different fields
University of Winnipeg
• Biology
• Education
• Theatre & Film
• Criminal Justice
Red River College
• Business Administration
• Aviation
• Construction Technology
• Electronics Engineering Technology
• Dental Assisting
University of Manitoba Native Studies
Agriculture
Engineering
Political Studies
Human Ecology
Environmental Science
Geological Science
Physical Education &
Recreation Studies
Citizenship• Problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal-
Communication
• Responsibility
• Caring
• Hard work
• Commitment
Program Supports
• Transportation
• Family Day
• Information Day
• Convocation
Phase 2Participants are Career Trek graduates who are now in grade 9.
Project is coordinated by a post-secondary student in the appropriate field.
Private and public sectors provide all necessary material and sites.
Projects have included Sport Event Management (2), Radiation Therapy, Engineering, Theatre and Aerospace
Phase 3 (Junior Staff)• 16 graduates (16 years of
age) of the program are invited back to the program each year to be trained as Junior Staff.
• Train with regular staff and become Junior Group Leaders, Instructors and Campus Coordinators.
• Position is voluntary, although Junior Staff can earn a high school credit for their work.
Phase 4 (Staff)Approximately 60 part-time staff.
All part-time staff are post-secondary students.
Participants relate well to younger role models.
Staff gain invaluable experience working with groups traditionally marginalized at a post-secondary level.
49% of staff in the 2006-2007 program year are graduates of the program.
Outcomes
• 49% transition rate (1st 4 years)
• Average graduation rate of 88% (91% this year)
• Average graduation rate of 80% for Aboriginal participants
Apinochek Pasaquok (“Children Rising”)
• Partnership with Skownan First Nation
• Designed to meet the unique needs of Aboriginal reserve youth and their families
Structure• Monthly trips to
Winnipeg
• Summer camps
• Individualized life opportunities
• Counseling
• Cultural reinforcement
Highlights
• Self-Governance
• Exchange
• Running with the Bison
Outcomes
• Improved school attendance and attitude towards education
• Improved family bonding
• Greater world view
• Enhanced community wellness
Future Initiatives
• Expansion of core program in the City of Winnipeg and across Manitoba
• Career Trek for newcomers
• Career Trek for adults
• Rural Expansion
Challenges
• Lack of secure funding (Project-based)• Jurisdictions• Self-Interest• Demonstrating outcomes Research
Collective)• It’s not just about outcomes (profile)