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 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 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 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 Biology Education Theatre & Film Criminal Justice

Red River College Business Administration Aviation Construction Technology Electronics Engineering Technology Dental Assisting 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 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 Problem solving Critical thinking Teamwork Interpersonal- Communication Responsibility Caring Hard work Commitment

Program Supports Transportation Family Day Information Day Convocation Transportation Family Day Information Day Convocation

Phase 2 Participants 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 Participants 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. 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 program year are graduates of the program. 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 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 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 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 Monthly trips to Winnipeg Summer camps Individualized life opportunities Counseling Cultural reinforcement

Highlights Self-Governance Exchange Running with the Bison Self-Governance Exchange Running with the Bison

Outcomes Improved school attendance and attitude towards education Improved family bonding Greater world view Enhanced community wellness 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)