PathwaysPlanning for the Future

What is a “Pathway”?

• A sequence of courses AND experiences which provides both focus and direction to a student’s learning experience.

• A pathway works like a road map; once you know the destination, the map will show you exactly how to get there (and all of the different ways you can get there, too).

PATHWAYS

• ‘pathways’ also refer to broad groupings of career destinations that share similar characteristics, and whose employment requirements call for many common interests, strengths and skills

• Pathway planning helps to prepare students for the future by combining academic course work with real-work applications and experiences

4 Destination Pathways

• Apprenticeship

• College

• University

• Work

Apprenticeships

• Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training and in-school training with a journeyperson

• Apprenticeship programs vary from 2-5 years, depending upon the trade

• Over 140 skilled trades in Ontario are classified into 4 sectors: Construction, Industrial, Motive

• Power and Service

Apprenticeship might be a good choice for you if…

You prefer “hands on” learning

You like to fix things, take things apart and reassemble them

You like to solve problems and figure out why something doesn’t work, and how to improve it

• College programs offer a wide range of career options, combining practical and theoretical learning

• Students can earn a range of qualifications, including certificates, diplomas, applied degrees, coop and apprenticeship programs

• Programs range from 1 to 3 years

• College grads make up 1/3 of Ontario’s labour force

College might be a good choice for you if…

You find success in practical/applied work, rather than more theoretical work

You learn best when you can see a real life application to your work

You like learning with a smaller group and having more personalized attention from your teachers

• Paramedic• Firefighter• Police Foundations• Veterinary Assistant• Veterinary Technology &

Wildlife Rehabilitation• Architectural Technology• Book & Magazine Publishing• 911 Emergency & Call

Centre Communications• Sports Administration• Sport & Event Marketing• Fashion Design• Fashion Merchandising• Medical Radiation

Technology• Denturism• Photojournalism

• Broadcasting-Radio, TV• Commercial Pilot & Aviation

Management• Forestry Technician• Technician-Robotics• Professional Golf Mgmt.• Photonics Engineering

Technology• Hotel, Resort & Restaurant

Administration• Environmental Technician• Biotechnology-Forensics• Earth Resources Technician• Funeral Service Education• Game Programming• Winery & Viticulture

Technician• Greenhouse Technician• Underwater Skills-Commercial

Diving

Degree Programs at College Bachelor of Applied Arts (Interior Design,Journalism,

Creative Advertising, Behavioural Psychology, Theatre & Drama , etc. etc. etc.

Bachelor of Applied Technology (Flight, Biotechnology, Software, etc. etc.)

Bachelor of Applied Business (Financial Services, International Commerce, HR etc.)

Bachelor of Science (Nursing) Bachelor of Social Work Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences (Athletic Therapy) Bachelor of Design

University

• Universities offer undergraduate degrees, professional degrees and graduate degrees

• Most undergraduate programs are 4 years

• Approximate costs for one year if a student lives away from home are $15, 000 to $20, 000 (tuition, residence, meals, textbooks, personal expenses)

University might be a good choice for you if…

You like working with abstract and theoretical ideas

You enjoy independent work

You are highly motivated

You are strong in academic subject areas including *English, Math, Sciences, Languages etc.

Work

• Workers with a high school diploma find employment in areas including Business, Sales and Service, Trades, Transport and Equipment Operation

• Technology and business courses are good choices for individuals planning to enter directly into the workforce following graduation

A Workplace destination might be a good choice

for you if…You would like to explore specific

workplace opportunities

You want to earn and save money in order to pursue other

post-secondary destinations later on

You want to develop your employability skills and start building a network future career options

“Mythbusting”Did you know?

• In the past, university and college were presented as ‘either/or’ options for graduating students

…this created the belief that in order to ‘get somewhere’ and make a good salary, you had to go to either college or university…very little emphasis was placed on skilled trades, apprenticeship programs and other alternatives.

Facts

• Fact: In today’s job market, some of the highest growth is in the skilled trades.

• In fact, it is estimated that 40% of new jobs in the coming decade will be in the skilled trades and technology.

• Careers are always growing and changing By the time you’re entering the workforce, many of the jobs that will exist then haven’t even been created yet!

Starting to Plan…What do I do?

• Start with you!

*What are you interested in?

*What are you good at?

*What are you passionate about?

Starting to Plan…What do I do?

• Link your interests and strengths to specific career pathways that incorporate them

• Knowledge is power – find out as much as you can by doing research, visiting career-based websites, and talking to people involved in your areas of interest

What do I do?

• …consider working or volunteering somewhere that’s related to your areas of interest

• Think of it this way…you don’t buy a car before you take it out for a test drive…why would you pick a career without ‘testing it out’ first?...job shadow

• Gain practical experience through Co-op, Specialty High Skills Major or School to Career Programs, make contacts, and figure out what “fits” for you.

Specialty “School to Career” High School Programs” in Halton: www.schooltocareer.com• Bronte Creek

Project

• Canadian Forces Coop

• Construction Transition

• Halton Home Builders Program

• Personal Support Worker

• Royal Botanical Gardens ECO Studies Program

Great Resources to Help You

• HDSB Pathway Planner guide• www.ocas.ca• www.einfo.ca• www.schooltocareer.com• www.careercruising.com• www.myblueprint.ca• www.schoolcounsellor.com• www.ilc.org• www.apprenticesearch.com• www.skillscanada.com• www.tradeability.com