Work Experience Course Overview (WEX-12A & WEX-12B)
Students enrolled in a Work Experience course will participate in a paid or unpaid work or career exploration placement. Students who wish to enroll, will meet with the WEX teacher at their school to complete registration paperwork before they begin tracking their hours. The focus of the registration paperwork is on young worker safety.
Enrollment in a Work Experience course may begin at anytime. Please visit the Career Centre at your school for more information or to sign up for a WEX course.
Goals for Work Experience Courses
The primary goal of Work Experience is to help students 15 or older prepare for the transition from secondary school to the world of work. Through Work Experience, students have the opportunity to observe and practice employability skills required in the workplace, as well as technical and applied skills relating to specific occupations or industries.
Other goals include helping students to:
- Connect what they learn in the classroom with the workplace.
- Gain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to be successful in the world of work.
- Develop job readiness skills for specific occupations and careers.
- Understand the similarities and differences in behaviour standards between the workplace and school.
Design of Work Experience Courses
Work Experience differs from most courses in that they are primarily designed to take place outside of the school setting.
- At least 100 hours of the course time must consist of actual work placements. The work experience does not need to occur at just one site, but may take place at multiple sites.
- Activities that are extensions of in-school courses or that are extra-curricular do not count as Ministry-Authorized Work Experience placements.
- All students participating in a Work Experience course will participate in an in-school safety orientation to prepare them for the work placement.
- School district personnel monitor and evaluate student progress.