Crowsnest Pass Job Shadow Program

Bringing our community together and bridging the gap between high school age children and our business community. We offer finding placements with the CCHS students and working with their career practitioner, as well as the CALM teacher, and work experience coordinator to allow students to find a successful career path. Job shadowing provides opportunities for youth to observe various professions within our community.

Overview for Employers

Crowsnest Consolidated High School and the Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce are working in partnership to facilitate a range of career exploration experiences for junior and senior high school students in our community. We are excited to introduce the Crowsnest Pass Job Shadow Program.

Whether you are a participating employer, educator, or volunteer host, job shadowing is easy and fun. Job shadowing immerses each student in the world of work, where they can get first-hand information about job skills and careers. By bringing students into the workplace to see an occupation in ‘real life’, tangible options come alive for them. Job shadowing provides exciting reasons why students should stay in school. It creates a critical link between education and success. For those in the workplace, being a host site can help forge personally satisfying connections with young people that could ultimately contribute to building a more prepared and focused workforce for tomorrow. Please read through the information below on what is included in the Job Shadow Package.

What is it?

Job shadowing is a popular work based learning activity because it provides students with opportunities to gather information on a wide variety of career possibilities before deciding where they want to focus their attention. Job shadows involve student visits to a workplace during which time they observe and ask questions to individual workers. They are designed so students play an active role in learning. Classroom exercises conducted prior to and following a job shadow help students connect their experience to their in-school coursework and relate the visits directly to career pathways, related skill requirements, and post-secondary educational options. The Job Shadow Program offers students a one day experience that allows them to spend time in a workplace with a person who has a job or occupation that is of interest to the student. This structured worksite experience provides students with a hands-on, insightful preview of the world of work and a range of career opportunities available to them. Job shadowing is an integral part of making connections between school and the world of work.

What are the benefits to our students?

Job shadows are a privilege and an opportunity that will:

  • Allow students to connect with adults in career fields of their interest and experience the workplace and workday first hand.

  • Demonstrate the connection between academics and careers, encouraging students to learn by making their class work more relevant.

  • Build community partnerships between schools and the wider community that enhances the educational experience of all students.

  • Introduce students to the requirements of professions and industries to help them prepare for the 21st century workforce.

  • Assist students in making smart career choices.

  • Help students develop and apply the skill of interacting with adults.

  • Help students learn how to behave in a professional environment.

  • Encourage an ongoing relationship between young people and caring adults .

  • Help students develop and expand their professional networks.

Why would an employer or business want to host a student?

Students are the workforce of the future! It is always a WIN-WIN experience when adults share their experiences with young people. In addition, job shadowing offers the following workplace benefits:

  • Showcases your place of work by increasing visibility in your community

  • Informs students about careers in your industry or line of work

  • Introduces your organization to potential future employees

  • Enables employees to easily participate in a community activity

  • Strengthens and promotes involvement in education

Expectations:

Salary: There is no remuneration

Behavior: The student will be expected to:

  • Complete all requirements to begin the job shadow program

  • Be prompt

  • Conform to company rules and regulations

  • Follow all safety procedures and accept directions and assignments as outlined by the

  • employer host

  • Complete work and tests/exams missed in other classes

  • Termination: Inappropriate behavior may result in students being requested to return to the school at the discretion of the employer. The employer will contact the school. If the student is placed on a non-instructional day the student will be instructed to return home and the employer will notify the parent/guardians.

Supervision: During the hours of the job shadow placement the student will be under the supervision and direction of the employer.

Are Liability Issues a Concern?

Job Shadows are considered a school sponsored activity like a field trip or work experience and are covered by insurance through Alberta Education in accordance with the Off Campus Handbook. The Off Campus Coordinator will make sure the job shadow site is inspected for safety and quality learning before a student arrives on site. Students must sign an oath of confidentiality before participating in a job shadow experience. Parents must provide written permission to participate in a job shadow at a specific location.

Generally, the job shadowing student is subject to the same responsibilities at the workplace for safety and conduct as any other public visitor. It is the responsibility of the sponsoring employer to provide any necessary safety instructions and or equipment as well as enforce the use of such safety equipment to the job shadowing student as it would to any other visitor or vendor visiting the workplace. Any specific safety concerns should be provided to the school in advance.

In the event that the student must seek medical attention or in case of an emergency while at the workplace, the workplace host will follow their company’s protocol and contact the parents and school personnel listed on the job shadow consent form.

Transportation

For the most part, we are hoping students can find their own transport to and from the job shadow, but in some cases the school may provide it. In all cases the parent or legal guardian must approve transportation plans.