CACUSS 2007

Working with our students before they enroll: The Career Trek Program

Reflections

• Homework• Selecting high school courses• Grades and academic/life potential • Discovering my talents/skills• Post-secondary: What is it and do I want to

go there• Career Day• Parents• $$$

Fighting Poverty through Educational Attainment

Career Trek Incorporated

• A not-for-profit organization formed in 1999 (pilot in ‘96)

• Provide young people (starting at the age of 10) and their families with the opportunity to experience the relevance that gaining a formal education has to their lives.

• Focuses on young people with perceived barriers to accessing post-secondary study.

Key Program Elements?

Experiential

Early intervention

Accessible

Long-Term

Performance-based

Career-focused

Phase 1

A dynamic partnership between:

58 schools

5 school divisions

3 post-secondary

institutions

17 post-secondary

departments/faculties

240 participants and their

families

How does it Work?

• Participating schools nominate families for the program

• Families must attend a mandatory orientation session

• Family must pay the program fee ($20 per term)

Program Structure

• Saturday program (20)

• Runs from October to April

• 2/3:15 staff/child ratio

• Participants are mixed

• 80 careers in 17 different fields

University of Winnipeg

• Biology

• Education

• Theatre & Film

• Criminal Justice

Red River College

• Business Administration

• Aviation

• Construction Technology

• Electronics Engineering Technology

• Dental Assisting

University of Manitoba Native Studies

Agriculture

Engineering

Political Studies

Human Ecology

Environmental Science

Geological Science

Physical Education &

Recreation Studies

Citizenship• Problem solving

• Critical thinking

• Teamwork

• Interpersonal-

Communication

• Responsibility

• Caring

• Hard work

• Commitment

Program Supports

• Transportation

• Family Day

• Information Day

• Convocation

Phase 2Participants are Career Trek graduates who are now in grade 9.

Project is coordinated by a post-secondary student in the appropriate field.

Private and public sectors provide all necessary material and sites.

Projects have included Sport Event Management (2), Radiation Therapy, Engineering, Theatre and Aerospace

Phase 3 (Junior Staff)• 16 graduates (16 years of

age) of the program are invited back to the program each year to be trained as Junior Staff.

• Train with regular staff and become Junior Group Leaders, Instructors and Campus Coordinators.

• Position is voluntary, although Junior Staff can earn a high school credit for their work.

Phase 4 (Staff)Approximately 60 part-time staff.

All part-time staff are post-secondary students.

Participants relate well to younger role models.

Staff gain invaluable experience working with groups traditionally marginalized at a post-secondary level.

49% of staff in the 2006-2007 program year are graduates of the program.

Outcomes

• 49% transition rate (1st 4 years)

• Average graduation rate of 88% (91% this year)

• Average graduation rate of 80% for Aboriginal participants

Apinochek Pasaquok (“Children Rising”)

• Partnership with Skownan First Nation

• Designed to meet the unique needs of Aboriginal reserve youth and their families

Structure• Monthly trips to

Winnipeg

• Summer camps

• Individualized life opportunities

• Counseling

• Cultural reinforcement

Highlights

• Self-Governance

• Exchange

• Running with the Bison

Outcomes

• Improved school attendance and attitude towards education

• Improved family bonding

• Greater world view

• Enhanced community wellness

Future Initiatives

• Expansion of core program in the City of Winnipeg and across Manitoba

• Career Trek for newcomers

• Career Trek for adults

• Rural Expansion

Challenges

• Lack of secure funding (Project-based)• Jurisdictions• Self-Interest• Demonstrating outcomes Research

Collective)• It’s not just about outcomes (profile)