7. Location

 Is this a national initiative, or is its coverage limited to a particular region or locality? If so, please specify the region or locality covered.

Winnipeg (inner city, suburban), as well as rural Manitoba (Labroquerie, Richer, Ste. Anne, Lorette, Iles de Chene, Ste. Adolphe, St. Norbert).

Skownan First Nation.
8. Overview of Program Please give a brief description of the initiative, in one or two sentences.

Career Trek provides youth with hands-on career education starting in grade 5 & 6, allowing participants to experience 80 different careers in 17 fields at three post-secondary institutions. Graduates of Career Trek also have an opportunity to experience Phase II Projects in grade 8 (intensive and intimate career focused projects in a field of their choice). Career Trek’s Junior Staff Program in grade 10 (volunteerism at the core program is eligible for high school credit) and can work as a paid staff member once they are enrolled in post-secondary studies. Apinocheck Pasaquok Project is an eight year intervention undertaken with Skownan First Nation youth and families to improve the educational outcomes and the skill capacity of the community.
9. Why Developed / Problems / Issues Targeted What are the main aims or objectives of the initiative? Is it designed to address any particular problems or issues? If so, please specify what these are.
  • To help young people understand the relevancy of gaining a formal education.
  • To help young people to aspire to post-secondary education.
  • To assist various social systems (ie. education, post-secondary education, business, government) on how to best engage young people in regards to educational attainment.
  • For Apinochek Pasaquok Project: to improve educational outcomes, to give Skownan youth and families rich experiences inside and outside the community to create cultural ownership and selfesteem.

10. Key Features / Content

  • Innovative
  • Effective
  • Promising
 Please describe the main features of the program, focusing in particular on those aspects that are particularly innovative, effective or promising. The Career Trek core program runs for 20 Saturdays, October to April. Each group starts at one of the three participating institutions: the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, and Red River College where it remains for five Saturdays (one "term"). At the conclusion of five weeks, each group rotates to a new set of departments/faculties. In total, the participants receive 80 hours of direct programming. At each institution, participants spend four hours a day in hands-on programming. These four hours are divided equally between four select departments, programs or faculties. Participating departments, programs and faculties are chosen on the basis of their enthusiasm for the program and its client group, as well as their ability to provide an excellent curriculum. Activities are designed and modified to meet the needs of the individual age groups and lecturing is kept to a minimum. Classes are engaging, hands-on and innovative and are designed to increase participants’ awareness about a particular field, and its associated careers. All activities are structured to maximize those skills generally accepted to be vital to the changing workforce. “Family Days” allow parents and other family members to come and experience the program (no watching allowed) for four Saturdays throughout the year. The cost to each participant is $20, an amount that is carried over each term. If a family is unable to pay this fee, then an object of sentimental value is accepted and will be returned at graduation. Bus transportation is provided as well as an “Information Day” for parents on planning for their child’s post-secondary education and the resources available. A graduation ceremony happens at the end of the year, where participants receive diplomas and awards such as $1000 RESP Scholarships. Career Trek is a "homework-free" zone.