Everyone has a place

For ten years, the Work Oriented Training Path (WOTP) program has been helping hundreds of youth graduate who otherwise would not. It also helps to evaluate and intervene with at risk students or those not inclined toward academics, and offers them an alternate pathway to high school success.

The « Special Ed » classes of the past have been replaced with programs that are built for students who learn differently. Since 2008, the mechanisms in place that detect issues early now offer solutions.

« We know by secondary four if the student can continue on an academic pathway. If that is not where their talents lie, we speak with them and their parents and ask them to join the WOTP, » explains teacher and coordinator Dawn Campbell.

WOTP students go to school three days a week for core education and for the other two days, they are placed in a work environment. Local companies have been actively involved including Metro supermarkets, the Dawson Community Centre and the Boys and Girls Club.

The idea of the WOTP is for the youth to find their niche in society. It fosters the skills they will need to survive by building life skills and a strong work ethic. The work placement helps them gain self-worth and provides them with a certificate that states their employability, skills and competencies.

Facing fears

The WOTP offers the more marginalized students who lack certain social skills the chance to rise above  their limitations with volunteer outings every month.

Last fall, they worked at the Renaissance in Verdun, at Christmas they were with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Next up will be a two-part outing at the Verdun Hospital with the elderly.

« We partner with Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi and have the WOTP students use their transferable skills, like communications, in a situation to learn to handle customers and gain social skills, » Campbell says.

By putting the students into real life circumstances where they must interact with customers, the hope is that they will be able to handle the pressure.

Ten years on

The program has had many success stories, and it seems to be offering the right alternative to youth who might have given up on themselves without it.

« You feel almost like a foster parent when they come back beaming with pride after finding their place in the workforce, » Campbell explains.

One grad who had moved out west to work in the Alberta oil industry just visited the teacher and class to discuss their experience. And twins Mark and Mathew are now working at the airport in positions that they credit the WOTP prepared them for.

Campbell is delighted that the program has helped instill a sense of self-confidence that many of her students return with after graduation.