Spotlight on Career Training Programs
This October, a brave group of BCL students completed the Intro to Automotive Training through SASET, at UFV, with support from our School and District Careers Program. Seth has always been interested in mechanics; Elizabeth wanted to add more life skills to her repertoire; and all the students were drawn to the program for the certifications they would receive. Upon completion they earned: Emergency First Aid, WHIMS, Confined Spaces & Respiratory Protection and WCB Awareness & Heat Stress. Tyler and Jacob feel Emergency First Aid will come in handy in both their real lives and work lives. Coltin believes he was successful in the program because, "their teacher was knowledgeable and asked us what we wanted to learn. He gave us choices. We were able to work on Teslas, AND take them home! We learned by doing."
In addition to being engaging, the program has encouraged Elizabeth, Michael and Logan to add UFV to their future goals. Being on campus with other post-secondary students was less intimidating than they expected. They felt comfortable and attending UFV seems like a natural next step in their education.
Certifications are certainly a draw for students who are on the precipice of adulthood. The more skills they develop, the greater chance they become confident and competent educational craftsmen, choosing and completing the work that will bring them meaning and joy. Notably, attendance and engagement in this program was 100%. Students at Bakerview are always offered choice in their coursework and their programming, within the parameters of graduation requirements. Career training programs require students to apply. Students have the choice whether to participate and how to apply their certifications towards their graduation. Student agency allows for personalization which yields positive results; isn't that what it's all about?
Our BCL students have this advice for students at other schools, "Try it. Even if you are not 100% comfortable. Once you earn one certification, you will want to continue to earn them, building your skills and your resume along the way."
We thank our brave BCL team for extending themselves into new learning opportunities, in unfamiliar settings, and succeeding as both individuals and as a team. Their success has encouraged a new group of students to apply to a Warehouse Training Program which starts next week!