Work Experience gives Edmonton Catholic Schools students the opportunity to explore career interests through meaningful workplace learning while earning high school credits. Students gain hands-on experience in real-world settings, develop workplace skills, and make connections between classroom learning and future career pathways.
What is Work Experience?
Work Experience is an off-campus education program that allows students to earn credits through paid or volunteer placements in a supervised workplace setting. Placements may take place in business, industry, government, or community organizations, helping students gain valuable experience while exploring potential career options.
Through Work Experience, students can:
- Explore career interests before graduation.
- Develop workplace and employability skills.
- Build confidence and independence.
- Gain valuable experience for future education and employment.
- Make informed decisions about career and post-secondary pathways.
Earn High School Credits
Students can earn high school credits while gaining real-world experience in the workplace.
- One credit is earned for every 25 hours worked.
- Work Experience courses are offered at the 15, 25, and 35 levels.
- Students can earn between 3 and 10 credits at each level.
- Up to 15 Work Experience credits may be applied toward Alberta High School Diploma requirements.
How to Get Started
Students interested in Work Experience should speak with their school Off-Campus Coordinator (If your school does not have an Off-Campus Coordinator, please speak with your school designate to learn about eligibility requirements, available placements, and career pathway opportunities.
School staff can help students determine which programs best align with their interests, career goals, and post-secondary plans.
Career Pathway Opportunities
Many students combine Work Experience with specialized off-campus learning opportunities that provide additional career exploration and workplace experience. These opportunities may help students build industry connections, develop job-ready skills, and explore future career options while still in high school.
CAREERS: The Next Generation
CAREERS: The Next Generation is a non-profit organization that partners with schools, employers, industry, communities, and government to help Alberta students explore career pathways and develop skills for future employment. Through its partnership with Edmonton Catholic Schools, students may have access to paid internship opportunities that allow them to gain workplace experience, earn wages, and receive high school credits.
Explore the CAREERS Internship Database: careersnextgen.ca/get-an-internship/careerpathways
Young Women in Trades and Technology (YWITT)
Young Women in Trades and Technology (YWITT) helps young women explore careers in skilled trades and technology fields. Through awareness, exploration, and workplace experiences, students can discover career opportunities, build confidence, and gain valuable experience in industries where women have traditionally been underrepresented.
Learn more about YWITT: careersnextgen.ca/community-impact/young-women-in-trades-technology-ywitt/
Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)
The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) allows students to begin apprenticeship training while completing high school. Students gain practical workplace experience in a designated trade while earning both apprenticeship hours and high school credits.
Learn more about RAP: ecsd.net/registered-apprenticeship-program
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Internships
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) internships provide students with opportunities to explore careers in technology and digital industries through paid workplace experiences and hands-on learning opportunities.
Learn more about ICT internships: careersnextgen.ca/get-an-internship/
Work Experience also allows students to apply skills that they have established in the school environment, and apply them to a work setting. Work experience allows students to pick up new skills that they can not acquire in a regular schools environment. (For example: customer service, dealing with employers/supervisors, working with fellow employees, etc.)
Work Experience is time based: 25 hours of work equals one high school credit, and is available with the following credit options:
- Work Experience 15 - 3 to 10 High School Credit
- Work Experience 25 - 3 to 10 High School Credits
- Work Experience 35 - 3 to 10 High School Credits
The introductory course, HCS 3000 Workplace Safety is a pre-requisite component of the first work experience course taken by a student.
For more information about the program, see Mr. Bauer in the Learning Centre, or contact him at: darrin.bauer@ecsd.net
Work Experience FAQ's
Who may go into Work Experience?
- Any student in grade 10, 11, or 12 who has a part time job, or who volunteers, can sign up for Work Experience.
What are the Prerequisites?
- All students must have completed HCS 3000 - WORKPLACE SAFETY before a they can be registered. This is the only pre-requisite!!
What are the advantages of being in work experience?
- Credits go towards your high school diploma
- Most students are paid a wage while at the same time earning credits. (They get paid to get credits!!)
- Students often earn a higher Grade Point Average (GPA) on their high school transcript. This could lead to more scholarships!!
- Build upon your resume for future employment.
- Create contacts as references for future career choices.
What do I need to do to sign-up/ register?
- Come to the Learning Centre and see Mr. Bauer. He will give you a package containing a number of forms that need to be completed and signed by parents, your employer and yourself.
- Once Mr. Bauer has received these forms he will go out to your job site, and complete a site inspection.
- Then bring in evidence of hours worked (Pay stubs) and start earning high school credits!
Is there a time limit of when the credits must be competed?
- No. Students work schedules vary from one student to another therefore, students earn credits on an individual basis. For example, if a student works 10 hours a week, that students will probably earn 10 credits in about 6 or 7 months. It may take another student less time, or more, depending on the amount of hours worked. However, once a student is registered in Work Experience, it is crucial that they hand in their pay stubs every 2 weeks so that credits can be accurately submitted to Alberta Education.
Can I use more than one job for work experience?
- Yes. As long as the students has the paper work filled out for both jobs, hours can be added together to earn credits in Work Experience.
Can volunteer work be considered work experience?
- Absolutely, the same criterion is used and volunteer hours can be accumulated over the 3 years of high school, so that the student can earn the maximum number of credits. A signed letter, or some evidence of hours volunteered must be submitted to Mr. Bauer from the volunteer organization.
Can I use my summer job?
- FX Off-campus Education does run through the summer, so hours worked during the summer can be used towards credits as well.
- Students must sign-up in June in order to be registered in Off-Campus Summer School.