School-to-Work Transition Research Project

A report on a research project aimed at helping youth make the transition from school to work is available to the public today.

Investing in Youth: The Nova Scotia School-to-Work Transition Project, by Victor Thiessen of Dalhousie University and E. Diane Looker of Acadia University, highlights the successful pilot of the high school program.

From 1995-1998, about 500 students in grades 11 and 12 across the province took part in the pilot. Under the Nova Scotia School-to-Work Transition Research Project, students could earn credits through community work and school instruction relevant to the transition from school to work.

Included in the report's findings is the evident commitment of employers to work with educators to prepare students in making career choices. The community-based experience enabled students to develop the soft skills and job-specific skills essential to the workplace.

"The project accomplished exactly what we had hoped for from the beginning," said Tom Rich, executive director of the Department of Education and Culture's program branch. "In addition to providing students with meaningful work experience, School-to-Work Transition is equipping high school students with the skills they'll need for future employment."

The project required students to complete two work placements, each of at least 140 hours, and one in each year of the program. Students took part in an in-school course component in each year for a minimum of 20 hours, which included various work-related topics.

"Students were given the opportunity to experience the constantly and rapidly changing workplace," said Mr. Rich. "The exposure to the global marketplace and new technologies is a major benefit to a student about to enter the workforce."

Through the efforts of the project co-ordinators, students were able to find work placements with higher skill requirements than high school students typically are able to obtain on their own. These were often in work settings the participants expected to enter after completing their education.

The research project was made possible through financial and research support of Human Resources Development Canada and the Department of Education and Culture. It will provide invaluable information in designing and supporting initiatives.

In writing the report, Dr. Thiessen and Dr. Looker had several audiences in mind. The primary audience consists of practitioners in both school and community settings who are involved in work experience programs. The report is also addressed to academics and scholars interested in young people's transition to adulthood.

As well, the report provides all readers with a better understanding of how the School-to-Work Transition Research Project supported the efforts of high school students preparing themselves for a rapidly changing world of work and adulthood.

The report is available at www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/arb . To order a copy, send a request indicating catalogue number SP-110-06-99E to: Public Enquiries Centre, Communications Branch, Human Resources Development Canada, Hull, Que., K1A 0J9, or fax 819-953-7260.