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What is the Work Experience Course?
The Seycove Work Experience (WEX) course is a four credit elective course available to Grade 10, 11 and 12 students (age 14 +).
The WEX course is designed to give students the opportunity to participate in, observe, and learn about the tasks and responsibilities related to an occupation or career. The course prepares students for the transition from secondary school to the world of work, for further education and training, or for other post graduation opportunities.
The WEX teacher and WEX facilitator work with each student to provide individualized work opportunities related to the student's career focus.
How does the course work?
The course is scheduled outside of the timetable so coursework is completed outside of school hours or, depending on the student's schedule, can be done within a free block. Some students choose to do their hours after school, on weekends, on Pro-D days or over Spring Break. There are many ways for the students to obtain their hours. The placements are not paid; however, there are some cases where students can use their paid jobs towards their program hours.
There are three components to the course:
- Pre-placement Assignments – these help determine the students' career focus and set them up with the tools to apply or interview for a job
- Placement Activities – the student spends 90 hours on the job (or split between multiple jobs). The WEX facilitator checks in with both the employer and student throughout.
- Post-Placement Work – the student evaluates their experience and their new skills. Employers also provide valuable feedback.
What kind of placements are available?
Here are some of our placements from this year:
| Student Career Focus | Work Experience Opportunity |
| Trades | Cove Power Electrician Apprentice |
| Accounting | Supra Distribution Accounting Assistant |
| Business | The Strongman Group Office Intern |
| Healthcare | Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacy Assistant |
| Animal Sciences | Western Painted Turtle Lab Assistant |
| Ski Instructor | Mount Seymour Ski Program Apprentice |
| Bike Builder | Norco North Shore Bike Builder Apprentice |
| Children / Education | Elementary School TA, Preschool Assistant |
| Government | Susie Chant MLA Office Intern |
| Arts | Seymour Art Gallery Intern |
| Environmental Sciences | YouthToSea Oceanwise Leadership Participant |
| Physio / Kinesics | North Shore Sports Medicine Assistant |
| Fire / Emergency | DNV Fire Services New Recruit Shadow |
What are some of the benefits of taking the course?
The benefits from the course are numerous. Students finish with relevant new skills, useful technical experience and valuable references. These new skills and references can be helpful for obtaining new jobs or university and trade school applications.
What does the course count towards for credits?
The two courses, WEX 12a and WEX 12b, are each worth four credits. Completion of a four-credit WEX course meets the Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies graduation requirement. Completion of the course also fulfills the 30-hour work experience requirement that is part of the CLC12 course. *For more information on graduation requirements, please visit BC Graduation Requirements.
Where can I get more information?
If you have any questions or would like to add WEX to your schedule this year or next year, please e-mail Mrs. Yeo or Mrs. Knapp and they will contact your grade counsellor.
Please also feel free to drop in to Mrs. Knapp's office (between the DL Centre and the Main Office) to chat about what job or career opportunities interest you and what possible placements might be available.
How can I get Work Experience students at my business?
If you are a business owner and would like to open your business to our Work Experience students, please contact the
WEX Facilitator. We are always looking for new businesses to help our students gain industry skills and experience. For insurance purposes, our students are covered by WorkSafeBC and considered “workers of the Crown". In addition, all of our students complete the Work Safe course. These are non-paid placements.
Janice Knapp | Work Experience Facilitator |604-903-3666
Andrea Yeo | Work Experience Teacher
Visit the Seycove WEX Blog for updated job and volunteer opportunities
More information about Career Education can be found on the NVSD website
