horticulture, hospitality, and even aviation. Students can complete their ground school for aviation while still in high school, giving them a head start if they choose to pursue a career as a pilot.” Bilton outlines how the dual credit programs offer tangible benefits, particularly in trades. “In many of our trades, which are significantly needed across the country, students complete their first year through pre-employment classes,” she explains. By the time they graduate high school, these students have already written their first-year apprenticeship exam and are considered second-year apprentices. The program is bolstered by the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) credit, which allows students to gain the necessary hours for their apprenticeship while still in school. THE POWER OF CAREER PATHWAYS: THE COLLEGIATE PROJECT In Chinook’s Edge School Division, career readiness is about more than just preparing students for the workforce—it’s about igniting their motivation for learning by connecting them to tangible futures. The Collegiate Project, one of the division’s most influential partnerships, embodies this approach, offering students a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between high school and post-secondary education. Sacher views this project as a game-changer for student success. “If students have a link into the future, it drives motivation inside the school setting,” he explains. “Think of it as having one foot in K-12 and one foot in post-secondary—when students are connected in that way, we see incredible results.” The data backs this up: the division’s graduation rate soars to 98% for students involved in career engaging pathways, compared to the typical rate of around 83%. “We’re quite proud of that,” he says, emphasizing how the program has transformed outcomes for many students. At the heart of the Collegiate Project is a collaboration between Chinook’s Edge School Division, two Red 353 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10 CHINOOK’S EDGE SCHOOL DIVISION
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