Work Experience
Overview
Explore a career that interests you while earning high school credits. Centre High's Work Experience program places you in a paid or volunteer position where you'll gain real on-the-job training and discover whether a career path is right for you.
Before your placement begins, you'll complete workplace safety training (HCS 3000) at the school. You'll also develop job search skills, learn to use provincial and national job banks, build a resume, and prepare for interviews. Then you'll head out into a real workplace to learn.
Placements are available in almost any field — retail, food service, healthcare, trades, offices, childcare, technology, creative industries, and more. You can use a job you already have, or your coordinator will help you find a placement that matches your interests.
How Credits Work
- 1 credit for every 25 hours of on-the-job training
- Earn 3 to 15 credits toward your diploma
- Three course levels available: Work Experience 15, 25, and 35
Exploring Your Options
Work Experience helps you explore careers before committing to a post-secondary program. The skills and references you build can strengthen applications to any program.
Career Opportunities
- Retail & Customer Service — Stores, shopping centres, and service-based businesses
- Food Service & Hospitality — Restaurants, cafes, catering, and hotels
- Healthcare — Clinics, hospitals, assisted living, and veterinary offices
- Trades & Construction — Mechanic shops, electrical, plumbing, and construction sites
- Office & Administration — Law offices, accounting firms, and government offices
- Childcare & Education — Daycares, after-school programs, and schools
- Technology — Computer repair, web development, and IT support
- Creative Industries — Photography studios, design firms, and media production
- Recreation & Fitness — Gyms, recreation centres, and sports facilities
- Non-Profit & Community — Charities and community organizations
Post-Secondary Programs
Transferable Skills
- Workplace professionalism — Showing up on time, following instructions, and meeting expectations
- Communication — Working with supervisors, coworkers, and customers in a professional setting
- Career exploration — Discovering what you enjoy (and what you don't) before making post-secondary decisions
- Job search skills — Writing resumes, preparing for interviews, and using job boards effectively
- Workplace safety — Understanding hazards, WHMIS, and your rights as a worker in Alberta
- References & networking — Building professional relationships that support future job applications