2011 Career Counsellors’ Education Tour: Working in Alberta’s Boreal Region Page 1
2011 Career Counsellors Education Tour: Working in Alberta’s Boreal Region Summary Report The 2011 Inside Education Career Counsellors’ Education Tour: Working in Alberta’s Boreal Region was a professional development education program designed to explore the diversity of career possibilities in northern Alberta. Focusing on careers in natural resource and environment, this program connected career practitioners to the people, places and perspectives that give insight to the many opportunities available in this growing region of the province. Highlighting northern Alberta’s dynamic, vibrant and full-service
communities that offer a wide-variety careers from entry level positions to executive opportunities this professional development program allowed participants to broaden their awareness and understanding of both careers and lifestyles in the region. Through exposure to a growing boreal municipality along with the information presented by our guests, participants gained the knowledge, experiences, and confidence to engage with the future workforce on the potential for a meaningful career in natural resources.
Career programming is a key component of discussions on natural resources, environment and stewardship in Alberta. This report showcases the importance of engaging with career practitioners from across the province on the topic of careers and the value of this programming to both student and teachers in Alberta.
Summary Report Program In the News Partners Participants Summary Appendix
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Program Overview This professional development program was based in the Whitecourt area showcasing a boreal municipality that has an abundance of natural resources and a thriving economy. Traveling from Edmonton and through Woodlands County, this program included tours of Alberta Newsprint Co., the Huestis Demonstration Forest, the Enform Training Centre, in addition to hearing from a wide variety of guests.
Thursday
Friday
September 22
September 23
Setting the Stage Welcome and Introduction to Careers Program by Inside Education
Living Alberta’s Boreal
Trends in Natural Resources Careers by ECO Canada
Mayor of Woodlands Country and Economic Development Coordinator for the Town of Whitecourt
Tools of the Trade Training, Safety and Equipment used in oil & gas industry from Enform Training Centre Facility Tour
Working in Alberta’s Boreal Devon Canada and Work Wild
*see Appendix A for full program details
A Boreal Perspective Helicopter Tour of Whitecourt area highlighting natural resources, economic growth and recreational opportunities
A Day in the Life at Alberta Newsprint Facility tour and Opportunities and Career Paths Discussion at Alberta Newsprint
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In the NEWS ---
From roughnecks to lumberjacks Teacher get lessons in oil and forestry industries St. Albert Gazette, October 1, 2011 http://www.stalbertgazette.com/ article/20111001/ SAG0801/310019998/fromroughne -Educators from the region tour Whitecourt career opportunities Whitecourt Star, September 28, 2011 -Teacher tour coming to Whitecourt Whitecourt Star, September 21, 2011
Program Partners Inside Education recognizes the generous support of following program partners in the 2011 Career Counsellors’ Education Tour: Alberta Energy Alberta Forest Products Association Alberta Newsprint Co. Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Devon Canada Corporation Small Explores and Producers Association of Canada A special thanks you to all the organizations that supported the program by hosting tours, providing expert speakers and sharing teacher resources.
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The Participants The 16 participants on the program represented schools from across the province and a wide variety of career education fields.
Tony Duguay, CALM Teacher, Father Patrick Mecredi High School, Fort McMurray,
Marie Mareers, CALM Teacher and Career Advisor, Notre Dame High School, Red Deer
Amy Dzus, Knowledge & Employability and CALM Teacher, Strathmore High School, Strathmore
Rose Nydam, Guidance Counsellor and CALM teacher, Edmonton Christian High School, Edmonton
Teresa Ferri, Off-campus Education Coordinator, Sturgeon Composite High School, Namao
Tonya Seto, Post-Secondary Internship Coordinator, University of Alberta
Wendy Fessler, Academic Advisor, Ponoka Composite High School, Ponoka
Ben Siemers, High School Mechanics Teacher, Bellrose Composite High School, St. Albert
Marg Hansen, Work Experience Coordinator, Sir George Simpson Junior High School Sherwood Park
Bill Turnham, Registered Apprenticeship Program Advisor, Bellrose Composite High School, St. Albert
Corrine Hutchings, School Counsellor, Sturgeon Composite High School, Namao
Kash Ward, School Counsellor, Father Patrick Mecredi High School, Fort McMurray
Karen Knull, First Nations Career Development Advisor,
Yvonne Westcott, Environmental Sciences Non-Profit Regional Education Director, Grande Prairie
Sunchild, O'Chiese and TaOtha First Nations Schools, Rocky Mountain House
Erin Malone, Special Needs Counsellor, Father Patrick Mecredi High School, Fort McMurray
Leanne Visser, Science Teacher, Winterburn School, Edmonton
“I can't say enough good things about this tour! I plan to incorporate this into my teaching through sharing resources with colleagues to pass on as well as communicating the options to students in advising sessions and information sessions It was great and I look forward to sharing all I learnt with colleagues and students. Thank you!.” – Anonymous “Thank you so much for the opportunity. It is hands down, the best PD I have ever had. Your tour has given me a real
time snap shot of the careers that are available to all different levels of students in a booming region of Alberta” Amy Dzus, Strathmore High School, Strathmore
“I left Edmonton an excited teacher, I return a refreshed, renewed, informed instructor, with a wealth of information. I had such a great time, you gave me so many tools for my students. Thank you Inside Education and all your partners” Bill Turnham, Bellerose School, St. Albert “Your program provided a nicely balanced mix that increased my knowledge and will allow me to move confidently provide guidance to students considering the many career opportunities with in these sectors, which are so important in Alberta.” Teresa Ferri, Sturgeon Composite High School, Namao “This program opened my eyes to the diversity of career options available in the boreal region and brought about an excitement for the many possibilities that I can pass to my students.” Tonya Seto, University of Alberta,
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Program Summary and Evaluation Inside Education is very proud of the 2011 Career Counsellors’ Education Tour: Working in Alberta’s Boreal Region. It was apparent that today’s students can look forward to a diversity of opportunities and growing demand in Alberta’s Boreal. The development in the region is making way for Alberta’s northern communities to be the hub of science, technology and innovation; alongside their connection to the natural environment and recreational opportunities. As with all Inside Education professional development programs our participants found that there is no better way to learn about the topic than to experience it. Participants left the program with a tool box of ideas, resources, and experiences that will both inform and inspire their students. Participants indicated that they would share the knowledge and experiences from the tour with an average of 100 students, this translates into a reach of over 1500 students.
Survey Results Participants were sent an online survey 2 weeks following the program, here is a look at the survey results:
100% strongly agree that the tour increased awareness of diversity of career opportunities 100 % strongly agree that the program increased understanding of living and working conditions in Alberta’s Boreal Region 100% strongly agree that the tour enhanced their teaching and enabled them to provide meaningful career education to their students 100% strongly agree that the tour exposed them to people, places and perspectives they would have not otherwise experienced.
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Appendix A
CAREER COUNSELLORS’ EDUCATION TOUR: WORKING IN ALBERTA’S BOREAL REGION SEPTEMBER 22‐23, 2011 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 8:15 am – Program Registration, Lancaster Room, Royal Executive Inn Things you need to know and bring: • Closed toed-shoes, long pants required for the tour of Enform Training Centre • We will be travelling by motor coach to Whitecourt; you can leave your vehicle parked at the Royal Executive Inn overnight • Day pack: jacket, water bottle, hat, camera, notebook, and pen
8:30 am Welcome and Introductions Presenter: Inside Education An opening session that will set the stage for an exciting two days; you will be introduced to Inside Education, the program itself, and to each other! Trends in Environmental & Natural Resources Careers Presenter: Rebecca Dickson, ECO Canada What does the future hold for environmental and natural resources careers in the boreal region? What is an environmental practitioner? How do renewable energy, green technology and environmental sustainability translate into a meaningful career for your students? We will discuss how this unique and dynamic employment sector is changing and give you great insight to the wide variety of careers, education and training available in this area. Travel to Enform Training Center Facility Tour: Conventional Oil & Gas Training Site Presenter: Bill Tinkess, Enform The team at Enform will take us on a tour of their state‐of‐the‐art oil and gas training centre and give you a idea of what it takes to work in the industry. We will showcase the equipment and training, and learn about the courses and programs that support a skilled workforce ready to enter the field of oil and gas. 12:30 pm Bag Lunch and travel to Whitecourt 4:00 pm A View from Above: Boreal Helicopter Tour Host: Taiga Helicopters See and experience the boreal region like you never have before! This one‐of‐a‐kind view of the area will highlight the abundance of natural resources, the thriving economy, and the beautiful landscape that attracts a growing number of people to the area.
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Things you need to know and bring: • Please check out of hotel prior to breakfast, bus will be open to store your bags • Closed-toed shoes and long pants required for facility tour • Day pack: jacket, water bottle, hat, camera, notebook, and pen (we will be outdoor for portions)
7:00-8:00 am Breakfast *Hotel has continental breakfast and full breakfast is available at Roadhouse Restaurant 8:15 Meet on bus - Travel to Forest Interpretive Centre 8:30 Life in a Boreal Community Presenter: Jim Rennie, Mayor of Woodlands County & Cheryl Lawrence, Town of Whitecourt Whitecourt is a vibrant and growing community with lots to offer its residents. Hear what it’s like to live and work in the boreal and how the region is changing along with the pace of development in the area. Career Opportunities & Requirements in Oil & Gas industry Presenter: Amit Saxena, Devon Canada Corporation As an environmental biologist with Devon Canada, one of the world’s leading independent oil and gas exploration and production companies, Amit will discuss his role with the company and the education and career path that took him there. Amit’s talk will highlight his career that couples environmental stewardship with energy development in the region. Break and free time to explore Whitecourt Forest Interpretive Centre Careers in Forestry Presenter: Cam Rollins, Work Wild Forests cover 60% of Alberta and the forest industry is one of Alberta’s main economic drivers. Work Wild is a new initiative aimed to educate the up-and-coming workforce about careers in the forest industry. Learn why over 20,000 Albertans are already employed in the sector and how you can get your students involved. Travel to Huestis Demonstration Forest Outdoor Activity: Forestry Tools of the Trade Presenter: Cam Rollins, Work Wild What’s a clinometer, D-tape, and an increment borer? Using a newly-developed forest resource kit, that will be available to your students this fall, Mr. Rollins will showcase his skills and share his story about choosing a career in forestry. Try your hand at some of the forest “tools of the trade” and enjoy the beautiful scenery at the Huestis Demonstration Forest.
12:00 pm Lunch at Alberta Newsprint Company Mill
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Career Paths at Alberta Newsprint: Facility Tour and Discussion Presenter: Employees of Alberta Newsprint Company (systems, lab, trades, forestry) This informative and exciting tour of Alberta’s only paper mill will take us on a journey through their facility, stopping to chat with the men and women of ANC. Through ‘day in the life’ style discussions, we will gain insight into the skills and job requirements needed for a meaningful career in this highly technological industry. Dinner and Debrief Presenter: Inside Education This informal session will give us a chance to reflect on what we’ve learned and discuss how to bring this learning back to our students. We will also have plenty of great resources to share with you! 6:30 pm Depart for Edmonton 8:30pm Expected arrival time in Edmonton
Many thanks to our partners who made this program possible