Work Experience Information

1. Career Programs
Work Experience
Alpha’s Career Centre provides Work Experience opportunities
for Grade 11 and Grade 12 students and links this experience
to a chosen career. Students choose between 30 and 90 Hour
options. The 90 Hours option is an elective course which
provides students with 4 course credits.
The difference between 30 and 90 Hour options are listed
below.
30 Hours option:
A compulsory graduation requirement, students can receive
credit for paid work or volunteer work.
Students sometimes have difficulty finding volunteer work
and can receive work experience arranged by a Career
Advisor.

2. 90 Hours Option:
This is an elective course worth 4 credits, volunteer
work only and students must choose a focus area.
Students complete 90 Hours of work experience in
their Grade 11 and 12 year which is split into two 45
hour placements and students complete an
Employability Skills Profile assignment. The 90 hours
of Work Experience Program satisfies the 30 Hours
graduation requirement.

3. Career Programs – Focus Areas
Business and Applied Business – XA
Fine Arts, Design and Media – XB
Fitness and Recreation – XC
Health and Human Services – XD
Liberal Arts – XE
Sciences – XF
Tourism – XG
Trades - XH

4. Sample Occupation Options Matched to Focus Areas
Business & Applied Business – XA Sciences & Applied Sciences – XF
• Accountant, secretary, banker, stockbroker, • Engineer, architect, physicist, chemist,
realtor, insurance agent, hairdresser, cosmetician biologist, environmentalist, meteorologist,
Fine Arts, Design & Media – XB geologist, mathematician, computer
• programmer, aviation pilot, air traffic controller,
Artist, photographer, actor, set designer, film
aviation mechanic
director, musician, choreographer, interior
designer, animator, game developer, web page
designer, graphic artist, fashion designer Tourism, Hospitality & Foods - XG
• Tourism information counsellor, hotel
Fitness & Recreation – XC manager, concierge, server, chef, baker,
• Athlete, coach, referee, trainer, community bartender, catering company owner/manager,
recreation coordinator flight attendant, tour guide, campground
Health & Human Services - XD operator, hunting and fishing guide
• Doctor, nurse, paramedic, pharmacist,
veterinarian, optometrist, chiropractor, dentist, Trades & Technology – XH
dental assistant, dieticians, physiotherapists, • Plumber, carpenter, cabinet maker, roofer,
medical/dental lab technicians, teacher, contractor, insulator, electrician, security/alarm
counsellor, psychologist, firefighter, lawyer, installer, aircraft maintenance engineer,
police officer, security guard machinist, welder, communications repair
technician, heavy equipment operator/mechanic,
Liberal Arts & Humanities – XE motor vehicle mechanic, auto body repair and
• Anthropologist, sociologist, archaeologist, refinisher
historian, geographer, journalist, archivist,
librarian, linguist, government public service

5. Semester??
• Students with a Work Experience block in the
second semester MUST meet with a Career
Advisor in the first week of November to
complete his/her first placement.
• DO NOT wait until January to complete 90
hours of Work Experience!!
• The Career Centre will emphasize creating
placements once or twice a week for multiple
weeks in order to minimize class disruption.

6. Advantages of Work Experience Programs
Work experience provides students a chance to learn about
specific choices.
Students make valuable career contacts that assist with planning
his/her career or gaining insight entry into a chosen field of
employment in the future.
Work Experience supervisors provide an evaluation. Reference
that can be added to a student’s resume.
There is a strong possibility that the work experience site will
offer a student future paid employment.

7. For more information about Career Programs,
ACE – IT and SSA programs,
please visit our Burnaby District’s website –
http://sd41.bc.ca/programs/career/

8. ACE – IT / Industry Connect / Industry Certification / SSA
ACE IT is an industry training program for high school students. Through an ACE IT
program, you can take courses that will give you both high school graduation
credits and a head start towards completion of an apprenticeship program.
ACE IT programs are developed and offered as partnerships between school
districts ad post-secondary institutions, and classes are often taught at colleges.
Once you successfully complete an ACE IT program you’ll get credit for at least
level one of the technical training ( in-class) component of your Industry training
Program. And through work experience placements that are usually part of the
program, you’ll get credit towards the on-the-job component of your training as
well. Or, enrol in both ACE – IT and the Secondary School Apprenticeship program
and you’ll be well on your way to completing your first year of post-secondary
education by the time you graduate from high school.

9. Ace-it and Industry Certification Programs
Program Location Length
Auto Collision Repair Vancouver Community College October-June,
Technician Monday-Thursday
Auto Collision Refinishing & Vancouver Community College February-June,
Prep Technician Monday-Thursday
Auto Service Technician Cariboo Hill Day 1
Cabinet Making Byrne Creek Afternoons,
Monday-Thursday
Carpentry Cariboo Hill Day 1
Construction Electrician Burnaby Mountain Day 1
Cooks Training Burnaby Central Afternoons,
Monday-Thursday
Hairdressing (2 year program) Alpha Year 1 – day 1
Year 2 – day 2
Plumbing Piping Industry Apprenticeship Branch June-August
Steel Fabrication BCIT February-July
Warehouse Person Douglas College February-May

10. Industry Certification Programs
Program Location Length
Computer Support Burnaby South Day 1
Technician (CISCO
Networking Academy)
Fitness Instructor (1 or 2 Alpha Mornings only:
year program) 1 year program–day 1 & 2
2 year program -
Year 1 – day 1
Year 2 – day 2
Hospitality Management Burnaby Mountain Day 1

11. Industry Connect
Program Location Length
Digital Sound Production Burnaby North Day 1 – afternoons
12:30-4:15pm
Film & Broadcast Burnaby North Day 1 – afternoons
12:30-4:15pm
Graphics/Media Arts Byrne Creek Afternoons: Monday,
Wednesday, Thursday
Theatre Technician Byrne Creek Afternoons: Tuesday,
Thursday, Friday

12. Industry Connect Options:
Film and Broadcasting
Graphic/Media Arts

13. Industry Certification Options:
Computer Support Options
Fitness Leadership
Hospitality Management

14. Alpha’s Apprenticeship Program
The secondary School Apprentice ship Program (SSA)
provides Grade 10, 11, and 12 students with a
tremendous opportunity to receive a minimum of 480
hours of paid, on-the-job training. An apprenticeship
involves a formal agreement between a student, the
Industry Training Authority (ITA) and an employer/union
whereby the student learns current skills and knowledge
associated with a trade or occupation under the
supervision of a qualified journey person.

15. Please check the School District’s website for
the latest in Programs of Choice offerings at
www.sd41.bc.ca