Exploring Trades in the Workplace

A group of SD83 students had the opportunity to tour Sparkling Hills Resort in Vernon on November 28, 2024, where they learned about trades in the workplace, particularly in the culinary and plumbing fields. The tour highlighted the essential roles behind the scenes that are needed to keep a workplace operating smoothly.

A.L. Fortune Secondary Career Coordinator & SD83 Trades & Transitions Coordinator, Michelle Hall, explained that the students observed Professional Cook 1, plumbing, and electrical tradespeople in action, with hands-on activities for the students as well.

Students interested in the culinary arts filleted a ling cod and portioned it into five ounce servings, as well as assist in preparing apple strudel and messy pancakes. Plumbing and electrical students also participated in hands-on tasks related to their fields.

Hall added that so often students focus on where to go to school and what to take instead of doing a bit of research into what does the job actually looks like. “This is important as schooling takes up only as small portion of their time and they spend way more time actually in their work place,” she said.

This tour was just one of the many activities during Career Education Week. Other events included a virtual student seminar on careers in the marine sector, a STEM careers seminar, a workshop on “clean and green” careers, a career panel discussion, and a presentation on the world of business and money.

These activities are part of the  SD83 2023-2028 Strategic Plan’s  focus on raising awareness of career pathways and programming opportunities for students.