This week we’re celebrating Career Week! It also happens to be National Skilled Trades and Technology Week. From November 2 to 6, students in Ottawa Catholic Schools from Kindergarten to grade 12 will explore the super skills they need for their future careers.
What are super skills, and why the focus?
Employment and Social Development Canada use the term “essential skills” to describe skills people need to work, learn and live, but we like the expression “super skills.” In addition to the nine essential skills (Employment and Social Development Canada), super skills include the six global competencies of Deep Learning (creativity, citizenship, character, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.)
We focus on super skills because we understand the world is changing and changing fast. As educators, we need to equip your child for career options that might not exist today. The best way to do that is to focus on the skills they will need to thrive in this ever-changing world.
What will students do during career week?
Schools will be planning age-appropriate activities for students whether they’re learning in-person at your neighbourhood OCSB school, or online in a virtual classroom. At school, your child will hear daily prayers focusing on learning about their gifts and talents. If they love to draw, they can put their sketching skills to work with this week’s career-themed #ocsbArts daily doodle on Twitter!
If your child is in Kindergarten to grade 6, they might explore a career by listening to a story or interviewing a parent to learn what they do for a living. They might also discuss which skills are needed for a particular career or learn about a career in the skilled trades.
Students in grades 7 and 8 will look at career and education pathways, including technology, skilled trades and apprenticeships. Students in grade 8 will also learn about careers in these sectors through special presentations from Skills Ontario this week.
One particular highlight for our high school students in grades 9 to 12 is the employers’ virtual panel on Thursday, November 5. Students will learn what employers are looking for when they’re hiring teens. Students in grade 9 will get to participate in Virtual Take Our Kids to Work Day on Wednesday, November 4. Check out the resource guide for families for more information. Other student activities could include guided career exploration using myBlueprint and exploring the skilled trades using Edge Factor. Parents and guardians of high school students can access these platforms through the student portal.
Show us how you’re participating in #ocsbCareerWeek
Whether your child is learning from school or virtual school, we would love to see how your family explores super skills during Career Week. Share photos and ideas on social media using the #ocsbCareerWeek hashtag. We hope you follow along!