Launch Student Careers
Career pathways provide students with valuable experiences and skills that can enhance their academic and professional journey. Dual credit courses enable students to earn college credits while still in high school, giving them a head start in their postsecondary education. Work experience programs allow students to gain practical skills and industry knowledge. Registered apprenticeship programs provide students with the chance to learn a trade while working alongside experienced professionals, preparing them for well-paying careers in various industries. These diverse pathways support students in exploring their interests, developing real-world skills, and making informed decisions about their future career paths.
2025 | 2026 DUAL CREDIT
| Program Guide | 2025/2026 Program guide offers detailed information about the dual credit options available. Please review the program guide carefully to determine if dual credit is the right fit. |
| Semester 1 Application Form | Application needs to be completed and submitted by May 1, 2025 if you would like to participate. |
Work Experience
| Work Experience Forms | ||||
| Work Experience Contract | Learning Plan 15 | Monthly Time Sheet | Employer Evaluation | Student Self Evaluation |
Who may go into Work Experience?
- Any CHHS student in grade 10, 11, or 12 who has a part-time job during the school year or a position during the summer months, or who volunteers, can sign up for work experience. Grade 9's can also register in the summer following graduation from Grade 9.
How to Register:
- Complete HCS3000 (contact Mr. Galloway to register for HCS3000) - inform Mr. Galloway when the course is completed.
- Complete the Work Experience Contract and return to Mr. Galloway.
- Complete Learning Plan 15 and return to Mr. Galloway.
- Credits/hours cannot be counted until a completed contract and learning plan are returned to Mr. Galloway.
Once you are Registered:
- Complete a monthly time sheet and return to Mr. Galloway.
- Complete an employer evaluation and student self evaluation every 125 hours worked.
- Stay in touch with Mr. Galloway about any concerns or changes in your employment.
How do I earn credits?
- Students can earn anywhere from 3 to 10 credits in one work site or on one skill-set. Credits are based on time worked. Each credit requires 25 hours of work. (for example, 5 credits will require 125 hours of work, 6 credits- 150 hours, and so on) the minimum number of credits that can be issued in Work Experience is 3. Evaluations must also be done regularly in order for Work Experience course marks to be calculated.
Can I use the same job for all 30 credits?
- see answer to next question below.
Do I have to quit my job after 10 credits and get a new one to continue earning Work Experience Credits?
- No, you do not necessarily need to, but in order to meet Alberta Education curricular requirements you must have a new learning plan in place for your second 10 credits. The new Learning Plan should include new goals and new skills being developed. This can involve higher level skills within the same job description or a move to a new position within the same organization. If no new skills or positions are possible with the current employer then yes, it may be necessary to move to a new employer/position in order to continue in Work Experience.
Is there a time limit of when the credits must be completed?
- No. Students' work schedules vary from one student to another and therefore students earn WE credits on an individual basis. For example, if a student works 10 hours a week, that student will probably earn 10 credits in about 6 or 7 months. It may take another student less time, or more time.
Can I use more than one job for Work Experience?
- Yes. The more variety in job experiences, the more likely that students can earn the maximum number of Work Experience credits (30) and along with it the Blue Cord Award . Students can also use two jobs at one time. The student just needs two different employer contracts in place at the same time.
What are the advantages of being in Work Experience?
- 15 credits may be used towards earning a high school diploma
- Increased academic average which can help with post secondary applications and scholarships.
- Better chances of reaching the Credit Distinction (Blue Cord) Award
- Knowledge, skills, and attributes gained in the workplace are lifelong
- Students can continue to work without having to alter their timetables
- A good employment experience and positive employer evaluations can build your resume' and portfolio
- WCB insurance provided for all WE students through Alberta Education
Can I use a job in the summer for Work Experience?
- Yes. Students have 3 summers for Work Experience - the summer after grade 9, 10,and 11, and even the summer after grade 12 is possible if the student wishes to complete a set of credits.
Can I use more than one job to earn credits?
- Yes, many students have more than one part-time position, or have a completely different job for the summer months. This will ensure no problems with the different skill-set requirements for each 10 credits. Make sure separate Employer contracts are in place for each of the positions and that proper notice and evaluations are completed before leaving any position.
Can volunteer work be considered Work Experience?
- Yes, the same criteria are used. Students often combine a paying job with volunteer work. There must also be a regular supervisor within the Volunteer organization that will be responsible for doing student evaluations.
Can volunteer hours be combined
- Yes, the volunteer hours can be accumulated over three years.
Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)
The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is an opportunity for high school students to earn up to 40 credits towards their high school diploma while accumulating hours towards their first year apprenticeship in one of Alberta's designated trades.
The students who have made career choices and commitments to RAP begin their training in any one of the apprenticeship trades while in high school. They spend part of their year in school completing graduation requirements and part in industry as a registered apprentice.
Advantages to doing RAP?
- Allows a high school student the opportunity to start a Post-Secondary Program in a well-respected career while in high school.
- A RAP apprentice gets a realistic look at the work world and learns employability and hands on skills required in the industry.
- With a high demand for skilled trade workers, the future in the chosen career field looks very promising.
- Employers have an opportunity to find quality young employees.
- RAP students earn a wage plus as many as 40 high school credits including four 30-level, 5-credit courses towards your high school diploma.
Who is RAP for?
The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a modified apprenticeship program for students 15 years of age and older. RAP students are both full-time students and registered apprentices.
Do I earn credit?
A RAP student can earn up to 1000 hours of time credits toward an apprenticeship and simultaneously earn up to 40 credits ( 1 credit = 25 hours ) toward senior high school diploma requirements.
When do I do RAP?
Most employers require RAP students to work at least half days and perhaps weekends. Students need to organize their on campus (school) schedules to accommodate if interested in the RAP program. Many RAP students start in the summer of Grade 10 to 11 or in their grade 11 or 12 year.
How do I become a RAP Student?
- Have an updated resume and cover letter.
- Many students find their own placement through friends or family contacts.
- With your updated resume and cover letter approach businesses about employment.
- See your Off Campus Coordinator as they may know of a business looking for a RAP student.
- Contact Careers The Next Generation This organization works with industry, schools, government, and communities to guide youth into successful career paths.
Once you are hired see Mr. Galloway to register for the RAP Program. REGISTRATION FORM
Do I get paid?
Students in RAP must be paid at least current Alberta minimum wage .
Will I be an apprentice?
RAP is considered your first step toward a career in the trades. When an employer employ's a RAP student they are committing to teaching that student a trade. The student needs to be committed to learning the trade. If the employer considers the student acceptable for an apprenticeship the employer will initiate the process and apply to Apprenticeship and Industry Training where the student will be registered as an apprentice, receive their “Blue Book”, and start earning hours towards their first year apprenticeship.
What are my duties?
Students’ duties should be discussed and agreed to by the employer and Off Campus Coordinator, keeping in mind the objective of an apprenticeship. Students are expected to be model employees and students. Students are expected to complete and hand in a monthly time sheet. Every 125 hours students will provide their onsite supervisor a RAP Evaluation form that the supervisor completes and the students will hand in to the Off Campus Coordinator.
How am I evaluated?
The onsite supervisor shall assess the students performance. An evaluation is to be completed every 125 hours or 5 credits.
What about safety?
Students participating in RAP must complete the safety course HCS 3000 – Workplace Safety Systems. They are also encouraged to complete HCS 3010 – Workplace Safety Practices. Both are 1 credit courses. See Mr. Galloway if you need access to these courses.
How am I supervised?
The student is to be appropriately supervised and monitored during each work shift by a suitable supervisor. The Off Campus coordinator will visit the job site and consult with the RAP students supervisor.
Green Certificate - For students working towards the Alberta Green Certificate Accreditation
This is an apprentice style program where participants learn through actively performing required skills in their specialization. Students learn on the job, under the direction of experienced farm personnel and under the supervision and administration of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, and Alberta Education.
The Green Certificate Program consists of eleven specializations: Beekeeping Technician, Cow-Calf Beef Technician, Dairy Technician, Equine Technician, Feedlot Technician, Field Crop Technician,, Greenhouse Technician, Irrigated Crop Technician, Poultry Technician, Sheep Technician, and Swine Technician
Students complete three courses in a specialization and are assessed by a certified tester at a regional certification testing event. Students can earn 16 credits in a specialization. Students can take all three years of high school to complete the Green Certificate Program.
How do I enrol in the Green Certificate Checklist (to do's)
- find a trainer (employer) that operates a farming operation in your area of specialization
- complete and pass (minimum of 50% required) the pre-requisite HCS 3000 online safety course and AGR 3000
- stay in contact with the off campus coordinator on a regular basis
| Have questions about Work Experience, RAP. or Green Certificate? |
| Work Experience Teacher Scott Galloway Office: 403 527 6641 ext. 8457 scott.galloway@sd76.ab.ca |
Dual Credit
What is Dual Credit?
- Students earn credits in both High School and Post-Secondary at the same time.
- Students can take regular post-secondary courses while enrolled in high school.
- MHPSD is partnered with SAIT, Lethbridge Polytechnic, Olds College and Medicine Hat College to provide these valuable opportunities.
Benefits of the Dual Credit Program
- Students earn 5 – 30 level high school credits and 3 post-secondary credits upon successful completion of each course.
- Complete/explore post-secondary courses while still in high school.
- Ease the transition from high school to post-secondary by completing required courses for your post-secondary program.
- Tuition fees are paid for by Medicine Hat Public School Division.
- Successfully completing a post-secondary course in high school helps build an application/resume to competitive post-secondary programs.
Student Responsibilities
- Students are required to be mature learners.
- Commit to approximately 5 hours per week to be successful.
- Purchase required textbooks and other materials that are required.
- Students are required to use their MHPSD email to communicate regularly with the post-secondary institution and Dual credit liaison. Students need to check their email accounts frequently.
Delivery of Dual Credit Courses
- Asynchronous – work on the course any time of day, however, students must keep up with the class schedules and deadlines.
- Synchronous – meet with your professor and classmates online at set times.
Important Information
- Students are treated as adult learners and have the same expectations as post-secondary students.
- Learning outcomes are the same for high school students as they are for post-secondary students.
- Students may not have the opportunity to redo exams, quizzes, or assignments.
- Late assignments are not accepted.
- The course grade on your post-secondary transcript is permanent.
- Students need to balance their dual credit coursework with their high school coursework.
- Some courses have prerequisites.
Applying for Dual Credit Courses
- Students interested in Dual Credit courses should speak with their high school counselor to determine if Dual Credit is for you.
- Prior to registering make sure you:
- have the required prerequisite
- have a block of time in your schedule dedicated to the course.
- are committed to completing the course as courses require a major commitment on behalf of the student, the parent, the high school, and the post-secondary institution.
- If the student is recommended, the Dual credit liaison will contact the student and parent to review expectations of the program and the student will be registered.
WINTER (2nd) Semester 2024/2025 Program Guide
Provides detailed information about the dual credit options available. Please review the program guide carefully to determine if dual credit is the right fit.
2024/2025 Semester 2 Application Form
To be completed and submitted by Nov 15, 2024 if you would like to participate.
Have questions about Dual Credit? |
| Kelly Pitman, Off Campus Education Coordinator launch@sd76.ab.ca |