Dear Editor:
This is a response from the Burnaby Board of Education to a letter to the editor from Ralph McDiarmid (April 6).
We certainly agree with his statement, “The best a high school can do is to provide a variety of education in all its forms.” However, the letter doesn’t represent an understanding of the ongoing developments in public education, the redesigning of learning spaces and the retooling and upgrading of facilities in our schools. These ongoing changes are implemented to meet the present day demands of both the provincial and local economies.
All of Burnaby’s high schools offer a variety of introductory trades courses for students in grades 8 and 9, taught by experienced technology education teachers. Students in Grade 10 wishing to explore trades have an option to take the Transition to Trades program.
The district is also a “Designated Training Provider” of ACE-IT programs, a credential bestowed by the government’s Industry Training Authority after a review of the facilities and credentials of the journeypersons delivering the program. In grades 11 or 12, students may choose to take specialized post-secondary Level 1 Technical Training through ACE-IT. In addition to earning Dogwood Graduation credits they also receive the same credits as post-secondary students at BCIT or VCC, saving them both time and money.
Beyond ACE-IT, which is specific to the traditional trades, the district continues to respond to the needs and challenges of a changing tomorrow, and offers specialized training options in multiple forms, including digital sound production, media arts, film and broadcasting, computer networking, tourism management and fitness leadership. Two new leading-edge programs, health sciences and robotics and automation will be offered in the fall of 2015.
ACE-IT and industry training students all complete work experience practicums. Successful completion of these programs most often result in smooth transitions to post-secondary studies and/or work in industry.
As we design and customize programs to meet the needs of our community, there are ongoing conversations between the Ministry of Education, the Industry Training Authority, the business community, and our educational partners.
The board is proud of our commitment to career education and the role we play in supporting student transitions to career success. We invite the community to learn more about the career program opportunities we offer in Burnaby’s public schools.
Sincerely,
Burnaby board of education
