You have landed on the Gulf Islands School District Careers and Transitions web page. We are glad to have you check out our site. Students, parents, employers and d
istrict staff can find information here about programs that prepare students for success after high school.
There are many choices to consider including travel, work, university or college for either academic, technical or trades training. Each path is a valid choice and this webpage provides information about training programs and resources that sync/mesh with student’s interests, skills and values.
While concepts and exploration around careers are embedded in curriculum K-8, these career and transition programs at the high school level are best suited for students who are keen, with good attendance and study skills. The programs offered provide an opportunity for students to learn the fundamental skills required for a number of careers and often include hands-on work experience and on-the-job training with local employers.
| Programs: | Dual Credit Opportunities: | Other: |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience | ACE-IT | Resources |
| TASK | Non-Trades Programs | Code of Conduct |
| SSA | Courses |
Work Experience
Work Experience 12A and 12B are year-long 4 credit elective open to grade 10,11 or 12 students through an interview with school counselors or career teachers.
- Through 100 hours of on the job training and approximately 10 hours of classroom assignments, WEX courses provide students with the opportunity to participate in, observe or learn the performance tasks and responsibilities related to an occupation or career.
- Work Experience courses are a perfect way to enhance or deepen a student’s skill base regarding any career area.
Fire Camp
Fire Camp is a week long program occurring every alternate year on Pender Island for one week during Spring Break. Students attending Gulf Islands Secondary School are encouraged to complete an application form and apply to Pender Island Fire Rescue for this amazing experience.
Those accepted into the program can also enroll in a Work Experience course so that credit is received for the hours of training completed.
This program fits well for students wishing to pursue careers in emergency services and who want an extreme leadership experience.
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Code of Conduct and Ethics
Students must schedule a meeting with their Work Experience Coordinator and/or Teacher with regard to the following:
- Demonstration of good attitude and work ethic
- Ability to cooperate with employer and staff
- Evidence of dependability and initiative
- Commitment to give 100% effort to achieve top quality performance
- Assurance to strive for perfect punctuality and attendance
- Organize transportation to/from the worksite
- Respect rules of confidentiality in the workplace
Workplace Monitoring — district staff will monitor student placements in person, by phone and e-mail.
Student Assessment — Employers will complete evaluations of student performance for school reporting purposes.
Student Record Keeping
Students are required to record and maintain a record of their work experience placement. This record may be used to verify work hours from time to time. In addition, students will be required to complete the following:
Training Plan and Safety Checklist
- Work Experience Placement Agreement (fully signed and complete)
- Written log of hours worked and duties performed
- Resume and cover letter
- Student reflection of work placement
TASK (Trades Awareness, Skills & Knowledge)
This dual credit semester long (20 week) program provides students in grades 10-12 
with entry level trades training in 6-8 different career areas linked the construction trade.
- Offered in partnership with Camosun College, students engage in hands-on learning in an intensive semester.
- Students learn safety, material handling, drafting, and use of power tools while framing, insulating, wiring, plumbing, siding, and roofing the tiny home. Instruction in plumbing and pipe trades, machining, welding and sheet metal take place at Camosun College.
- Certification in First Aid, Fire Suppression, Fall Arrest and Confined Space Entry are also included. TASK students build from Monday to Thursday and participate in Work Experience placements each Friday and for the entire month of June.
- Enrolling in TASK is a great way to springboard into Secondary School Apprenticeship and ACE-IT (technical training).
Secondary School Apprenticeship
Secondary School Apprenticeship is a program that provides students in Grades 10 
to 12 the opportunity to begin working as an apprentice in one of BC’s 140 skilled trades while still in high school. Eighty percent of knowledge is learned “on the job”, and 20 percent in college.
- By earning wages while learning on the job, secondary school apprentices can enrol in four high school elective courses yielding 16 credits towards graduation.
- Each course requires 120 hours of work-based training under a formal agreement with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) and a local employer.
- Many students elect to devote one entire semester in grade twelve to their apprenticeship while others log their time spent working on Fridays and holidays throughout the year.
Steps to become a Secondary School Apprentice:
- In your own network of contacts, you or your family may know an employer who would be willing to hire and train you as an apprentice.
- Students can seek out the SSA teacher for more information.
- Begin a relationship with an employer through unpaid work experience first and then get hired as a Secondary School Apprentice.
The Industry Training Authority (ITA) oversees training in over 100 apprenticeable and red seal trades. To learn more visit the ITA Website
Dual Credit Opportunities – ACE-IT Programs
ACE-IT (Accelerated Credit Enrollment in Industry Training)
Enroll in an ACE-IT program and you can work towards your first level of technical training in an apprenticeable trade still in high school, tuition free. 
Students can take a Level 1 Apprenticeship or Foundation programs at one of the post secondary institutions our district partners with.
ACE-IT programs are dual credit, which means that students receive both post secondary and high school credits for their program of study. Students who pass with over 70% will receive college credit, their Level 1 certification and work-based hours recognized by the Industry Training Authority.
The Ministry of Education recognizes that this program provides a valuable transition for students as they move into the working world.
ACE-IT Programs are available in the following trades: Automotive, Autobody, Baking, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Cook Training, Electrical, Heavy Mechanical Trades, Horticulture, Joinery, Machining, Metal Fabrication, Plumbing and Pipefitting, Refrigeration & AC, HVAC, Sheet Metal and more.
The goals of ACE-IT include:
- providing students with a smooth transition from school to work
- enhancing students existing trade-specific job-readiness skills, or providing opportunities for the development of new skills
- providing students with the opportunity to obtain a Level 1 technical training certification in a given trade
- helping prepare students to enter the world of work with the skills, attitudes, and sense of responsibility necessary to be successful.
To learn more about ACE-IT Programs at Camosun College, take a peek at their Program Guide.
Dual Credit Opportunities – Non Trades Programs
In addition to trades training, our partnership with Camosun College
affords students the oppotunity to access tuition free programs, and attend full time in Victoria. The following programs vary in length from a few weeks to ten months. A member of our Career Program team will help students draft a transition plan in order to include these programs in a students graduation program. Camosun Programs 
offerings:
- Community Support Worker/Educational Assistant
- Health Care Assistant
- Indigenous Family Support Worker
- Pathways for Life
- Computer Network Electronics Technician
- TEAC – Explorations in Technology (view poster)
Find out more details about these programs by consulting the Camosun Program Guide
College of the Rockies:
- NFPA 1001 (Fire Suppression) located on Pender Island
Dual Credit Opportunities – Courses
Our school district, along with Sooke, Saanich, Victoria and Cowichan partners with Camosun College as part of the South Island Partnership. As a result, students are able to take advantage of enrolling in first year courses both at the college and through online platforms as well as high school cohorts taught in school.
Check out information regarding Dual Credit at Camosun
And information about courses offered.
Online courses are available through Thompson Rivers University.
Face to face courses can be taken at the University of Victoria through their uStart Program.
Dual Credit Cohort classes are available during the second semester at Gulf Islands Secondary School. In 2016 students completed Biology 12 and BIO 126 at the same time taught by a GISS teacher and a Camosun instructor.
Another combination for 2017 is Law 12 and Criminology 154. Check the counselling office for updates.
Resources
MyBluePrint — is an online tool to help students with career choices, post secondary options, scholarship opportunities and much more. Visit the Career Center to obtain a password.
SchoolFinder.com — use this website to search for schools or programs, in Canada, the US or Abroad. Complete information is provided on admission requirements, tuition costs and more.
Industry Training Authority — is the website providing a comprehensive list of trades, programs, institutions and opportunities for youth.
Trades Training in BC — is a one stop website providing start dates, locations and costs for any trade program in the province.
Contact for more information:
Maggie Allison, Manager
Career Development and Community Initiatives
mallison@sd64.bc.ca