High school students jumpstart their trades careers at Dal

Two Halifax high school students are taking a hands-on first step towards successful careers working with Dalhousie Facilities Management.

J.L. Ilsley Secondary School Students Joe Organ and Jesse Langille have been turning their high school education into real-life experience in trades and technologies by enrolling in the Halifax Regional School Board’s Options and Opportunities Program.

Finding the right fit

Options and Opportunities, or ‘O2’ as it’s known, offers an experiential learning opportunity for high school students to gain practical education in the field they’re interested in. The program matches students with partners in the community, where they can work alongside professionals in trades and technologies, business education, health and human services, hospitality and tourism, arts, culture and recreation and IT.  

One of O2’s goals is to help students appreciate the multitude of options available to them, and help them select the educational path — be in post-secondary, trades education or the workforce — that helps them get where they want to go.

“It’s really about finding something that works,” says Joe of the program’s potential.

Diverse experiences

Joe and Jesse are both currently working with Facilities Management at Dal. The broad range of infrastructure necessary to keep the university running makes it an ideal place to gain experience in a variety of areas. It’s an opportunity for the students to learn about multiple trades while building relationships and working with staff with years of practical experience.

“This morning I replaced a coupling; yesterday I was doing steamfitting,” says Jesse. “I’m out and about all the time – I don’t just work on one thing in one place.”

A broader variety of experiences means a stronger portfolio or CV after high school. “Whether you’re applying for a job, or college or trade school, the more you can show you’ve done and experienced, the more seriously they’re going to take you,” says Joe.

Full credit

The students are given full credit for their participation, and may choose to opt into the program as early as Grade 10. “It’s a serious commitment,” says Jesse, who plans to build on his experience by attending NSCC following graduation. “But it’s not like other career development programs. I’ve learned a lot that will directly help me get where I want to be.”

Both students would highly recommend the program to others, emphasizing that it is not just open to trades and technologies. “Getting experience is never a bad thing,” Joe advises. “You can still take the courses you want at school, but O2 adds another level to learning.”