As part of the pilot project to promote vocational training in the

Transcription

As part of the pilot project to promote vocational training in the Montérégie, ten
local committees developed communications strategies which they implemented
in a variety of activities. The following is a summary of each of the activities,
which we hope will guide you in your efforts to promote vocational training.
Visit to a Vocational Training Centre
Secondary III, IV and V teachers
Mgr-Euclide-Théberge, CS des Hautes-Rivières
Massey-Vanier, CS du Val-des-Cerfs
Cité-des-Jeunes, CS des Trois-Lacs
Robert-Ouimet, CS de Saint-Hyacinthe
This activity invites teachers, in particular those in the regular program, to visit one or more
vocational training centres within their school board. Ideally, the visit should take place on a
pedagogical day.
The activity is aimed at cycle two teachers, but is also appropriate for secondary cycle one and
even elementary school teachers.
The activity should take place at least every two years.
Although some teachers may decline the invitation, registration should be
on a voluntary basis. Schedule the activity on a pedagogical day preceding
parent-teacher meetings. That way the visit will be fresh in teachers’
minds and they will be better able to convey their positive perceptions.
The activity was a success! Teachers enjoyed the visit, which improved
their perception of adult education. They asked questions, established
contacts and consequently shared their new knowledge with students and
their parents.
Visit to a Vocational Training Centre
Secondary III, IV and V students
Gérard-Filion, CS Marie-Victorin
This activity invites students, in particular Secondary III, IV and V students in regular or
individualized learning paths, to visit one or more vocational training centres within their school
board. The aim of the visit is to broaden the horizons of students who are contemplating their
career choices. The visit also helps them discover qualifying paths they were unaware of, helps
introduce them to trades and occupations but above all, dispels any remaining prejudices
against vocational training.
This activity is appropriate for every level of secondary school.
Not all students are interested in vocational training. If all students are
invited, make it an exploratory visit. For a more in-depth visit, target
students interested in one or more trades or occupations and divide
them into small groups for a more personalized approach.
Students who visited one or more vocational training centres
appreciated the hands-on aspect of the training. “I used a welding
machine!” is a prime example of a reaction heard after the visit. Others
discovered new training opportunities.
Information Meeting about Learning Paths
Parents of Secondary III, IV and V students
Pierre-Bédard, CS des Grandes-Seigneuries
Ozias-Leduc, CS des Patriotes
Some schools targeted parents, organizing a meeting to inform them about the new learning
paths and about possible avenues available beyond Secondary II. In one case the activity was
mandatory; in the other, parents participated on a voluntary basis.
One school asked the guidance counsellor to explain the learning paths available at the
secondary level. They also invited a representative of vocational training to present the
different programs offered and their admission requirements, and invited a CEGEP director as
well to talk about college-level programs and the trades and occupations they lead to.
The meeting took place during the evening and was not combined with any other activity.
It isn’t easy to get parents to attend an information meeting in the
evening. They were offered information about the learning paths
available under the education reform, a “hotter” topic than vocational
training. Also be careful how you send the invitations! Those
distributed to students don’t always make it to their destination.
Parents need information. Their lack of knowledge about the different
learning paths fuels their prejudices against vocational training. They
have a lot of questions. This is an excellent opportunity to answer
them.
Career Day
Secondary III, IV and V students and their teachers
Ozias-Leduc, CS des Patriotes
Cité-des-Jeunes, CS des Trois-Lacs
Heritage Regional High School, Riverside School Board
This activity involves information booths and conferences by vocational training graduates, as
well as technical training and university graduates from different workplaces. It is a full day of
activities for young people in their school. Visits are organized during class hours, which
enables teachers to accompany their classes. One school held the event in the evening so that
parents could attend.
The booths present either trades, occupations or programs of study leading to the job market,
in as concrete a fashion as possible. The conferences, tailored to students’ preferences, provide
further information about trades and occupations and an opportunity to talk to people in the
field.
This activity requires considerable preparation and therefore a lot of
energy. All the members of the local committee should participate.
Make sure to give students enough time to visit the booths. Class
periods can be too short.
Students really like these events. Since the booths and conferences are
tailored to their interests, students are more attentive. Also, the fact that
the activity takes place in the school makes it more accessible and
intimate.
Parent-Student Assignment
Secondary III and IV students and their parents
Questionnaires are handed out to students in order to foster a dialogue about trades and
occupations at home with their parents. The questions deal with the number of years of
schooling required, salaries, personal qualities, admission requirements, learning paths and so
on, all in a specific learning context.
In this particular school, the exercise showed that parents have a relatively good knowledge of
possible trades and occupations, as well as the vocational training programs available.
For optimum results, this activity should be presented as an assignment
for students.
It is important to spark discussion between students and their parents
by providing verifiable facts and information sources. The activity
enables students to come up with stronger arguments regarding their
choice of a vocational training program.
Full-Day or Half-Day Practicums
Secondary IV students
Arthur-Pigeon, CS de la Vallée-des-Tisserands
This activity was carried out differently in each school. During one practicum, students who
showed a particular interest in vocational training were offered a day-long practicum in a
vocational training centre. They were then invited to share their experiences with their
classmates.
In the two other practicums, students were asked to find an employer to do a full-day or halfday practicum in a trade or occupation requiring either vocational training, technical training or
university education. They were also asked to write a practicum report.
The fact that the students must find their own practicum is a
considerable challenge. Some of them need help. It would be a good idea
to keep a list of potential practicums for future references.
There is nothing better than a day on the job to help students confirm
their career choice or see that they may have made the wrong choice.
Practicums give students a practical view of a trade or occupation. A
win-win situation!
Visit to “Tout un programme”
Secondary IV and V students
Every year in mid-October, Cégep Édouard-Montpetit organizes an activity called “Tout un
programme,” a one-day event to present different college-level, university and vocational
training programs. Essentially, it is a career fair for students from all Montérégie’s schools.
Several exhibitors present their programs and provide visitors with useful information.
The event is becoming increasingly popular—maybe a bit too popular.
The fair is crowded and students have little time to visit the booths and
ask questions.
It is also a little too college-oriented: the other levels are underrepresented.
This activity provides a quick overview of qualifying paths.
VT on Report Card Night
Parents of Secondary III and IV students
At specific times during the school year, parents meet with teachers to discuss their child’s
report card. During these meetings, vocational training representatives set up an information
booth, provide parents with information and answer their questions.
Even though not all parents attend these meetings, they remain a good opportunity to talk to
those who do. Secondary III and IV students must make choices; it is therefore important that
their parents be aware of the options available.
Since parents are waiting to meet with the teachers and do not want to
lose their place in line, it is better to go to them rather than wait for
them to visit the information booth.
It is difficult to get parents to attend such activities; take advantage of
the fact that they are already there!
Better yet: organize visits for teachers to a vocational training centre
shortly before the parent-teacher meetings. They will be in a better
position to convey their positive experience of vocational training.
Visibility in the Local Papers
Parents and the general public
Some schools use the local papers to provide media exposure for their activities or simply to
promote vocational training in the community. In one case, a parent on the local committee
wrote articles about vocational training and had them published. One vocational training centre
had the paper run an invitation to a Science Fair.
In the other cases, the media were invited to a career day or to a press conference and the
journalists covered the event.
Not all press releases or articles sent to the local papers are published.
It is a good idea to establish close ties with journalists or to pay for
space in the paper.
Local papers are excellent vehicles for community activities. Bombard
them with “achievements” honouring excellence among students and
teachers!
Student Survey
Secondary III, IV and V students
Gérard-Filion, CS Marie-Victorin,
Some committees felt the need to learn more about students’ career choice intentions, so they
conducted a survey of Secondary III, IV and V students. The questionnaires were aimed at
evaluating their knowledge of vocational training programs, their influences when it comes to
choosing an occupation, and prejudices against the different trades and occupations and
programs of study.
The surveys also made it possible to target students interested in vocational training and to
form groups to visit centres.
Such questionnaires are easy to manage. They can also be used to
re-evaluate perceptions and intentions following communications
activities.
Visits to Companies
Every year around the month of May, companies open their doors to visitors as part of a tour of
Québec manufacturers and exporters. Visitors can map out a route and visit regional businesses,
most of which are currently experiencing a labour shortage.
Schools are invited to participate in the event and organize visits by groups of students.
The trades and occupations presented in these tours do not all involve
vocational training. Some require a high degree of specialization. It would
be a good idea to check before mapping out a route.
These visits give students a good idea of the job market. Invitations are
sent out in early spring. Don’t miss out! Visit www.cme-mec.ca.
Quiz for Teachers
Teachers
Fernand-Lefebvre, CS de Sorel-Tracy
Gérard-Filion, CS Marie-Victorin
In order to help orient their communications activities for teachers, some local committees
began by testing the teacher’s knowledge of vocational training. The survey measured their
knowledge of the different fields of study, admission requirements, program content, the value
of a Diploma of Vocational Studies/attestation of Vocational Specialisation, myths and
prejudices, and job prospects.
The survey can also be used for re-evaluation following communications activities for teachers.
To ensure a better response rate, hand out the surveys at a teachers’
meeting and collect them before the teachers leave.
One school presented the survey as a quiz. Be creative!
VT at the Science Fair
All students
Why not combine VT and science?
The Science Fair is an annual event in secondary schools, in which students exhibit their
scientific achievements. With the objective of promoting vocational and technical training, some
schools integrated vocational training into the event. In one case, the school set up booths
presenting vocational training trades and occupations. In another, the event was held at the
vocational training centre near the secondary school.
This is an effective combination that fosters contact between students and teachers as well as
amongst the students themselves.
This activity introduces young people to vocational training while they
are learning about science at the Science Fair. Not a bad idea!
Patron of Honour
Students and their parents
Arthur-Pigeon, CS des de la Vallée-des-Tisserands
At the end of every year, the school holds a gala to honour students for outstanding effort and
achievements. And each year, it invites a well-known former student in the region to act as
guest speaker. This year, and in coming years, it will select a former vocational training student
to fill the role.
This activity provides students and their parents with a positive image of vocational training
trades and occupations.
The constraints imposed by the school (e.g. alternating between male
and female candidates, the need for the person to be a former student at
the school and a resident of the region) considerably restrict its choices.
Such testimony can only result in positive perceptions of vocational
training. Motivation is the key to success!
Promotional Posters
Students and teachers
To stimulate interest in vocational training within the school and to promote it on a daily basis,
the committee decided to create posters of former students in action at work or in a vocational
training centre. The students chosen must have graduated from the school the previous year or
at the most the year before that, so that the other students recognize them.
The committee came up with a slogan: “Thanks to my training, I’m in the action”: Choose
vocational training!
A press conference was held to launch the internal campaign and the committee intends to
create new posters each year with other vocational training students.
Students on the posters must be photographed in a vocational training
centre, outside the school.
Bright coloured posters inevitably catch people’s eye. Makes people
talk too!
Indianajob
Secondary III and IV students and teachers
Presented by Piperni Spectacles, the play Indianajob is the story of two secondary school
students looking for a career choice and their teacher, a fan of vocational training and of the
future too...
The theatre group answers invitations to secondary schools interested in presenting the play to
Secondary III students. The play is well staged, the sets simple but effective, and the acting
appreciated by the audience.
Visit http://fcsq.qc.ca/Dossiers/Jeunesse/Orientation/_pdf/Trousse-4mars%2004.pdf for more
information.
The play lasts about an hour and provides a glance into the world of
educational and vocational guidance and the different programs of study.
Even the teachers enjoy it!
Dressed in Uniform
On report card night, parents were welcomed by students dressed in their vocational uniforms
(e.g. pastry-maker, welder, carpenter). They asked questions, and the students explained that
they were promoting vocational training.
The activity was fun, gave a positive image of vocational training and made parents think more
seriously about vocational training.
If you don’t know anyone who can lend you the necessary work
clothes, you can rent them at fairly low cost.
This creative approach helps students to broach the topic with parents.
A guidance counsellor could be present to support the students and
continue discussions with parents as needed.
Testimonies by Employers and Young People
Secondary III students and their parents
The local committee at this school decided to invite a dozen workers, employers and former
vocational training students, e.g. a health and social services centre director, an entrepreneur
welder, a furniture maker, a self-employed hairdresser and a person in charge of human
resources at a hotel. These guests spoke to students about the importance of considering
vocational training as a career path.
The same speakers returned one evening to speak to parents.
Students like hands-on activities and visuals. Sitting still for two hours
listening to speakers, no matter how interesting they are, is a challenging
feat. The activity should be pared down and concrete elements added.
While few parents showed up, those who did liked the evening, which
allowed them to discover different aspects of vocational training trades
and occupations. They especially learned that vocational training is not
an end in itself.

As part of the pilot project to promote vocational training in the

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