New career-focused courses open doors for students
Knowledge and Employability courses provide the building blocks for employment and post-secondary training
Edmonton.... This year, schools are offering new career-focused courses in Grades 8 to 12, in an effort to keep students in school and better prepare them for the workforce or further education and training.
Alberta’s new Knowledge and Employability (KE) courses will help students build skills in areas ranging from construction to business services, or mathematics to English language arts. The courses are intended to teach students practical skills and enhance their academic and occupational abilities. The courses were built on the foundation of the former Integrated Occupational Program, which is being phased out over the next two years.
“These courses give students the opportunity to take academic and occupational courses that focus on practical applications and work experience,” said Alberta Education Minister Gene Zwozdesky. “Students will gain entry level workplace skills and will be able to apply for apprenticeships and other post-secondary training opportunities.”
Students may enroll in one or more of the courses based on the student’s abilities and needs. Students completing Knowledge and Employability course requirements will receive a Certificate of High School Achievement to recognize their completion of senior high school and their KE courses. This certificate will help students in finding employment or pursuing other training opportunities. Students wishing to continue their education will be able to take additional academic courses in order to receive an Alberta High School Diploma.
A number of teachers from across the province will share expertise, experiences and best practices at the KE Courses Symposium Building the Future, in Airdrie, Alberta on September 29 and 30.
These courses are one example of government action designed to encourage more students to stay in school. Over the spring and summer, youth across Alberta participated in a series of roundtable discussions on this issue. On September 24 and 25, Alberta’s first-ever “High School Completion Symposium” was held at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton with 600 attendees from across the province.
More information about the Knowledge and Employability courses are available at www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/ke. Details about the Your Future Starts Here high school completion consultation is available at www.education.gov.ab.ca/highschool.
Backgrounder
Knowledge and Employability courses for Grades 8 to 12
Knowledge and Employability courses are available in a number of academic and occupational areas.
Knowledge and Employability academic courses:
- English Language Arts (Grades 8 to 12)
- Mathematics (Grades 8 to 11)
- Science (Grades 8 to 11)
- Social Studies (Grades 8 to 11)
Knowledge and Employability occupational courses are available in Grades 8 to 12, except where noted:
- Art/Design & Communication
- Auto Mechanics
- Business Services
- Construction: Building
- Construction: Metal Fabrication
- Cosmetology (senior high only)
- Fabrics
- Foods
- Horticulture
- Human Care
- Natural Resources (senior high only)
- Workplace Readiness
More information about the Knowledge and Employability courses are available at http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/ke/default.asp.
