Renovation Assistant
Hudson, a grade 12 Sutherland Secondary student, gained valuable work experience as a Renovation Assistant while working with Heilman Renovations. He gained insight into running his own company, while also safely working on a site under construction. Skills he aquired during his work experience include; cutting concrete slabs, wooden planks and plastic wood composite, shovelling and leveling sand for a walkway, using saws, drills, and various measuring and leveling tools. He also learned how to carry heavy tools and how to unload or reload equiptment from the work truck. Hudson is interested in a career in the trades and hopes to gain his Red Seal certification while also leaving his options open to attend university.
Hudson reflecting on his time as part of the Heilman Renovations team: The time I spent with Joe Heilman was
great. Working with him gave me an idea of what it would be like to
work in construction. He was always teaching me something new whether we
were down in the dirt or talking about organization, preparation, or
marketing yourself in the business.
Junior Firefighter Academy
John rappelled his way down from the tower site at the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services training facility, as part of a two-day High School Cadet Firefighter Academy. This program gives students the chance to learn about local first responder organizations in a safe, controlled, educational, and fun way, while providing fire departments with an excellent recruitment mechanism. Encouraging youth to explore emergency services as a career option is extremely beneficial to local communities.
Pharmacy Assistant
Iris gained valuable work experience at Shoppers Drug Mart, filling prescriptions, reading labels, selecting appropriate drugs, preparing prescriptions, fixing labels, and staging a basket for a pharmacist to retrieve and check. She also had interactions with customers at the pickup station, retrieving their orders. Iris worked 90-plus hours at Shoppers Drug Mart and
ended up being hired as an assistant.
Her reflection on the work experience: I would love to do this as a career because
I really enjoyed working at the pharmacy. At the beginning of my placement I
didn’t understand a lot of the information, but now I
am able to understand most things. I
also learned the pharmacy's computer system, and I dealt with it by asking
questions.
Hairdresser
Olivia decided maybe it would be great to try her hand at hairdressing. At Zazou Salon and Academy, Olivia was able to learn a few tricks of the trade by assisting with reception, shampoo and colour application, and basic cleanup. Olivia also learned head and hand massage techniques, as well as esthetic services. This experience allowed Olivia to decide hairdressing is an avenue she will pursue after high school.
Physiotherapist
Cameron was at Lynn Valley Orthopaedic & Sports
Physiotherapy Centre, learning the ropes of what this profession is like. She was able to observe and learn the
procedures and assessments done at a physiotherapy centre. Cameron shadowed both a physiotherapist and
a kinesiologist, to see what they do in their positions. She was also taught how to run the office,
shown how clients are kept safe in the gym, and how to maintain a clean and
healthy environment. At the end of her
placement, Cameron was offered a part-time job!
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue volunteer
The program allowed me to volunteer as a
junior Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) volunteer here
in North Vancouver.
Because of this incredible experience I was able to
continue on as a full volunteer and train with the RCMSAR team.
This
valuable experience also helped me get into the Nautical Sciences
program at BCIT, where I am studying for a career on the water.
I hope
to eventually become a B.C. Coast Pilot.
Noah Knapp – Seycove Grad 2019
