New Ways to Graduate
There are many ways for students to get valuable life experiences and a head start on post-secondary level program, most tuition-free, while you are still in secondary school. As these programs are very popular and space is limited, it is important to begin thinking about your options for next year as soon as possible.
Dual Credit at :
Thompson Rivers University (TRU)
Students have the opportunity to attend OC (Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Vernon) or TRU (Kamloops) to acquire tuition free trades training if they attend the programs during their time at high school plus one year.
Students are responsible for student fees, textbooks, registration fees, transportation, and accommodations. Pre-apprenticeship programs are available in such trades as Culinary Arts, Automotive Collision Repair, Electrical, Heavy Duty Mechanics, Welding C, and Plumbing.
- For a full list of programs visit: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/office-of-the-registrar/high-school-counsellors-dual-credit and https://www.tru.ca/future/dual-credit.html
Youth TRAIN in Trades opportunities
These programs provide students with Industry Training certification as well as provide high school credits. For concrete dates and application forms visit the Career Centre at your school. All students will be interviewed for a seat in these programs.
Auto Body and Collision Technician Level 1 Technical Training: (District Program)
Vancouver Community College partner
- Students will learn about shop safety, tools, and the fundamentals of auto body construction and repairs through flexible (online) learning, practical labs and work experience. Students will have to spend some time at A.L. Fortune partaking in practical labs.
- February, next intake at A.L. Fortune
Professional Cook 1 (PC1): (District Program)
A.L. Fortune – Camosun College partner
- In this program students will be instructed, through flexible (on-line) learning, practical labs and work experience, in all aspects of commercial food preparation.
- February , next intake at A.L. Fortune
Pleasant Valley Secondary – Skilled Trades BC recognized program
- Students will learn how to cut, dress, curl, and wave hair.
- February
Carpenter Foundations (Pre-Apprenticeship)
Okanagan College partner
- January (Salmon Arm)
Electrical Foundations (Pre-Apprenticeship)
Okanagan College partner
- August (Salmon Arm)
- February (Vernon)
Plumbing Foundations (Pre-Apprenticeship)
Okanagan College partner
- January (Salmon Arm)
- July (Vernon)
Welding Foundations (Pre-Apprenticeship)
Okanagan College partner
- August (Salmon Arm)
- February (Vernon)
Trades Exploration Program – “Explore A Trade”
SD83 regularly hosts in-depth trades sampler program at schools within the District. These programs are often a full semester in length. The intent of the program is to expose students to a variety of trades (i.e. carpentry, plumbing, electrical…) so that they can make an educated choice as to which trade they would like to further explore (i.e. taking Electrical Foundations).
Ask your Career Counsellor if interested and to learn when Explore A Trade will come to your school.
Students who work with a qualified tradesperson (i.e. licensed mechanic, electrician, butcher . . . ) can sign up as a WORK student and receive:
- 16 high school credits if they acquire 480 hours of paid work (4 credits for every 1200 hours worked)
- 1,000 scholarships if:
(a) complete the 4 required courses (obtained through 480 hours of paid work)
(b) have a minimum of 900 work based hours registered with Skilled Trades BC, 6 months after graduation
(c) achieved a C+ average in their Grade 12 courses.
- Students can acquire their hours during school time, summer, evenings, holidays and weekends.
- Students also have the opportunity to apprentice with a school district tradesperson in carpentry, painting, HVAC, plumbing and electrical.
Partnered with British Columbia Institute of Technology – BCIT
Academic Dual Credit Programs – Okanagan College (Vernon or Salmon Arm)
- Office Assistant Certificate
- Health Care Assistant Certificate
- Administrative Assistant Certificate
- Early Childhood Education Certificate
- Education Assistant Certificate
- Gateway to Technology Workplace Certificate
- Information Technology User Support Micro-Credential
Academic Dual Credit Programs – Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops)
Work Experience
Do you have a part/full time job? If so, talk to the Career Centre at your school about getting school credit for your Work Experience 12A & 12B. 120 hours of work = 4 credits (12A)
For more information about Dual Credit, please contact:
ALF: Michelle Hall 250-838-6431 Contact
ERS: Curtis Bellows 250-836-2831 Contact
PVS: Doug Brown 250-546-3114 Contact
SAS Sullivan: John Quilty 250-832-2188 Contact
SAS Jackson: Greg Seed 250-832-2136 Contact
District Career Education Coordinator: George Richard 778-824-1188 Contact
SD 83 Director of Instruction Middle & Secondary: Reid Findlay 250-832-3080 Contact