Work Experience and Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)

Work Experience 15 / 25 / 35 - up to 30 credits
Work Experience is an experiential method of learning that integrates a student's classroom studies with on- the-job experiences obtained at a qualifying business or organization. Students acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to work and other valuable life roles through their participation at a work experience placement of their choice.  

Advantages of the Work Experience program are: 

  • Work Experience is available through all 3 years of high school. 
  • Students can be paid a wage or can work as a volunteer. 
  • 15 credits can be earned towards diploma requirements. 
  • Work Experience 35 is a 30 level course that can be used for completing Diploma requirements. 
  • Work Experience marks can be used in the calculation for the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship. 

Qualifying students receive supervision from JCS’ Off Campus and valuable training, supervision, guidance, and evaluation from their employer.  Students must complete the one credit CTS module HCS 3000 (Workplace Safety Systems) prior to earning Work Experience credits credits.

Students are responsible for finding and securing a job within Calgary city limits. If you are not working or volunteering, consider the following steps to help you get prepared:

  • Have you researched a potential career / business? To research a career, start with myBlueprint.ca/cbe to help you determine job outlook, average wage, duties and responsibilities, etc.
  • Do you have an up-to-date résumé? Are you familiar with your résumé? Can you elaborate if an employer were to ask you specific questions? Click on résumé checklists.
  • Need help with your resume or cover letter? Are you nervous about a job interview? Ask Mr. Gelfand for help or practice with job interview questions.

Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) - up to 40 credits

The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is for students who would like an opportunity to experience the trades prior to entering the world of work or post secondary institutions. Interested students who are on-track to graduate and meet attendance requirements are encouraged to apply. 

RAP is also designed for students who want to get a head start in the world of apprenticed trades. Students can choose to work in one of Alberta’s 51 trades, gaining experience working towards an apprenticeship. RAP students: 

  • receive on-the-job training 
  • earn high school credits 
  • complete hours counting toward their registered certification 
  • earn competitive wages 
  • may move to post-secondary school (SAIT/NAIT, etc) 
  • receive 5 CTS credits for every 125 hours worked (to a maximum of 45 credits) 
  • get a jump-start on a possible career in the trades. 

 Students interested in Work Experience or RAP should see Mr. Gelfand (regelfand@cbe.ab.ca).  Prerequisite: HCS3000

Applying for your Blue Book (to record apprenticeship hours)

Here is the link to apply (online only) for your Apprenticeship and Industry Training blue book: http://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/mytradesecrets/applying-for-ait-programs-and-services-online/. You may wish to review the following information before applying. Be sure your employer has an appropriately certified Journeyman who is willing to train you for apprenticeship hours toward 1st year.

Alberta Education Apprenticeship and Industry Training:


Online Safety Courses

HCS3000 (Workplace Systems) –Pre-requisite for most on/Off-Campus programs AGR3000 (Agriculture - Farming) HCS3010 (Workplace Practices) CSTS (Construction Safety Training System)

Complete online safety courses anywhere - anytime!

Due date for each online course is two weeks from the date we register you in Safetyinschools.ca. Each online course is worth (1) 30 level credit, with a grade of 50% or better. If you need more time please provide me with a brief update on how you’re doing, and request a time extension.

All students are required to complete HCS3000 (1 credit). However, you can complete all four if you wish, for extra credits.  Course format is online. See Mr. Gelfand to register!

Are you working on a construction site? Welding? You’ll need CSTS-09 in addition to HCS3000.


What is Next?

After completing your online safety course(s), confirm with your Work Experience teacher to ensure credits will be added to your transcript. 

Do you need to complete any other safety course(s)? Some job placements require more than one safety course, for instance: Working at McDonald's or Bulk Barn requires HCS3000. Working as a hairstylist's in a salon, or cook in a steak house, as an apprentice also requires HCS3010. Working on a construction site would also require Construction Safety Training System - CSTS.


Dual Credit & Exploratory & Off-Campus Programs

CBE offers a wide-range of unique opportunities for students through our Dual Credit, Exploratory and Off-Campus Education.  Recognizing that many learning experiences happen outside of the classroom, CBE’s Dual Credit, Exploratory and Off-Campus Education allows students to step outside of the high school environment to gain knowledge and skills through our collaboration with post-secondary institutions, industry partners and community organizations.  Additionally, CBE students in the Dual Credit program get a post-secondary learning experience without paying tuitions fees to the post-secondary institution.

 These experiences range from practical, hands-on learning experiences in Exploratory programs to Dual Credit courses and programs that allow students to participate in post-secondary learning with the support of a supervising CBE teacher. These programs allow students to complete high school their own way, and set students up for future success by easing the transition to post-secondary learning and/or the workplace. 

 JCS students who are interested in the learning more about our Unique Pathways opportunities can refer to the CBE Unique Opportunities and Off-Campus Education webpage.