Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1527945
educators are supporting young learners as they transition to the world of employment. While work experience has been a long-standing option for a number of their high school curricula, Frolek says that one result of the changing business landscape is that the school division has begun to recognize the increasing importance of collaboration between the education system, the business commu- nity and industry sectors to prepare stu- dents for the evolving workforce. Work experience, internships, apprenticeships and mentorship programs can bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace realities. "That really has become a core value in the work that we do, looking at how we create and sustain these relation- ships that we foster within the business community and with industry sectors," she says. One recent workforce trend is the growing popularity of micro-credentials. As the name suggests, micro-credentials are mini-courses specific to a particular topic. They are cheaper than a degree and can be completed over a short time period. While they are mostly available at colleges and universities, some provinc- es, such as Ontario, are starting to offer them at the high school level. Stephen Dudar, a career development teacher for SJASD, says micro-credentials are excellent options for students who are unable to attend or choose not to attend a post-secondary institution. "That's a piece that's been growing over the last number of years," he says. That's why SJASD has begun discus- sions about providing students in the division with an opportunity to enrol in a limited number of micro-creden- tial courses. These include courses on first aid, CPR, and food handling. The division is also considering adding mi- cro-credential courses on topics such as 3-D printing and Microsoft Business Ap- plications in the not-too-distant future. Dudar says these courses can go a long way in helping students get a foot in the door with prospective employers. "It's all about identifying skillsets that employers and industry are going to find useful," says Dudar. "Oftentimes, employers are looking not so much at degrees but what skillsets kids have that they can then continue to build on (at a job)." One skill set that is becoming pro- gressively more valuable in the eyes of many employers is an understanding of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is changing the career landscape and is becoming an increasingly important consideration for many businesses when they are hiring, says Frolek. "One of my friends who is a business leader in west Winnipeg says if he has two Grade 12 students (he's considering hiring) and one has a micro-credential in some AI courses, he's going to hire the student who has that skill and isn't afraid to embrace it," she explains. A term Frolek thinks businesses need to become familiar with is DEI, which stands for diversity, equity and inclu- sion. It refers to practices and policies aimed at supporting people from varying backgrounds and providing them with the resources they need to thrive in the workplace, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. "It's looking at an employee as a person and not just a programmer. It's about safe workplace models that support mental health and flexibility and also a recogni- tion of helping young people grow and learn," she says. Dudar and Frolek say another work- place trend they have noted in recent years is an increased focus by employers on so-called global competency. Global competency is defined as knowledge, skills, and attitudes to interact positively and effectively with anyone in the world. "We want to enhance the integration of all these new technologies, and going to that next level requires a brain that can think critically and communicate skillfully with others. It's all about giving everyone a voice, following that DEI model, and recognizing how important it is for people to share their ideas and opinions while respectfully listening to the ideas and opinions of others," says Frolek. Dudar and Frolek don't expect the pace of workforce changes to slow any time soon. Both say it's critically import- ant that the education system keep pace so that young people are prepared when they enter the working world full-time. "One of the things we want to do (as educators) is to be in touch with our local community," Dudar says. "The local business community pro- vides us with a vast array of experiences that are out there. As you're developing that relationship with them, you can say what are the things you want, what are the things you need. They're able to provide that information, and we have a better idea from a local perspective of what we need to do." Students ask questions of an exhibitor at a recent job fair. Exhibitors chat with students about what their workplace has to offer. Employers are now looking more for skill sets rather than degrees. (Submitted Photos) (Submitted Photo) (Submitted Photo) FALL 2024 • THE ASSINIBOIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 19