Dual Credits, Trades & Work Experience

WORK EXPERIENCE

The opportunities for ​Work Experience​ are endless! Hundreds of employers in Fort St. John open their doors to NPSS students each year. Students can use their part-time jobs or find a placement in an area of interest. While students are encouraged to sign up to ​Work Experience​ at the beginning of the first semester, they are able to sign up at any time during the school year.

Work Experience placements can be volunteer or paid! Students work 90 hours on a worksite and complete a number of reflective assignments to receive 4 credits. Students can complete two placements, WEX12A and WEX12B!

We also offer a few specialty work experience programs for both NPSS and ELC students:

The Junior Volunteer Program is offered in partnership with Northern Health. Students work at Peace Villa and/or at the Inpatient Care Unit for their 90 hours. This is a very competitive program for students interested in health care. All hours worked are registered with Northern Health. If interested, connect with Mr.Vaccaro early in the school year.  

Creating Energy Careers is a great program for students that are interested in discovering and exploring careers found in the Oil & Gas sector. Whether wanting to pursue a trade, surveying or environmental work, or work in administration, quality control, health & safety, or project management, students can explore a wide variety of jobs through this program. Students complete assignments to be employment ready, complete safety tickets including First Aid, H2S and CSO. Local industry partners provide a 4-day hands-on experience in February for students. Students finish off their course with reflection assignments. If interested, connect with Mr.Vaccaro early in the school year. Sign-ups for this program start in late September.

If you have any further questions regarding Work Experience:

Contact Jeff Mayer (NPSS students) at jmayer@prn.bc.ca   
OR
Louis Vaccaro (NPSS students in trades and specialty programs, ELC campus) at lvaccaro@prn.bc.ca

YOUTH WORK IN TRADES

Students in grades 10, 11, or 12, could be gaining course credits for working in a trade as an apprentice as early as 14 years of age. All the hours completed are logged in with the SkilledTradesBC’s ​Youth Work in Trades​ program and count towards the student’s Red Seal Certification! Students are paid and can work after school, weekends, during holidays or the summer. Students must have a placement in order to sign up.

There are four Youth Work in Trades courses (11A, 11B, 12A, 12B) each worth 4 credits. For each course, students complete course assignments, 120 hours of work, and receive a sponsor evaluation. Students who complete all four courses could also become candidates for the $1000 SkilledTradesBC Award.

If you are interested in this program or would like to find out more, please contact Louis Vaccaro at lvaccaro@prn.bc.ca.

DUAL CREDIT PROGRAMS and YOUTH TRAIN IN TRADES

Students can take a variety of college courses/programs while they are still in high school and earn credit at both institutions. Students typically spend one semester of Grade 12 in a program at the college. Prior to enrolment, students will learn how to access the tools and skills necessary to prepare and be successful in a college setting. Dual Credit students receive support from the high school and the college, so that a seamless transition is achieved.

Contact Sharon Hoecherl at shoecherl@prn.bc.ca

YOUTH TRAIN in TRADES

The Youth Train in Trades program is the college component of a high school apprenticeship. Youth Train in Trades students are Youth Apprentices registered with Skilled Trades BC.

There are a number of tuition free programs students can enroll in:

Contact Sharon Hoecherl at shoecherl@prn.bc.ca

YOUTH EXPLORE TRADES SAMPLER PROGRAM

Youth Explore Trades Sampler (YETS)​ is intended to introduce students in grades 11-12 to the opportunity to sample trades prior to engaging in the commitment required to complete a classic dual credit or apprenticeship educational pathway.

Students in the program will be exposed to 5 different trades (currently carpentry,  plumbing, electrical, mechanics, welding), learning the basics as well as practical skills. Students in the program also complete a number of safety tickets, including WHMIS, First Aid, H​2​S, TDG, and Confined Spaces. Once the course component is completed, students participate in a work experience component in a trade of  interest.

This program takes place at Northern Lights College. Students receive 16 credits for  its successful completion.

Contact Sharon Hoecherl at shoecherl@prn.bc.ca

Dual Credit – Certificate Programs

Students take college-level courses or certification programs at Northern Lights College and the credits count towards their graduation from NPSS as well as towards their first year at college or university – tuition is fully paid.

  • Some Certificate Programs:

Contact Sharon Hoecherl at shoecherl@prn.bc.ca