A group of students in School District 83 recently got to test drive a potential new dual credit program - Heavy Duty Equipment Operator - when the BC Road Builders RoadShow held a session at the Splatsin Community Centre Sept. 27.

At the Oct. 15 school board meeting, director of instruction Reid Findlay explained what the event entailed and how it ties into a bigger initiative from the province.

乌鸦传媒淔rom 2024/25, this school year into 27/28, they乌鸦传媒檙e throwing significant amounts of money at dual credit expansion, and they乌鸦传媒檙e looking at sectors in demand,乌鸦传媒� he said.

He added that SD83 is one of six districts to have combined forces to form the Okanagan Careers Consortium that received a grant of $475,000, 乌鸦传媒�$100,000 of which is coming to School District 83 to do nothing other than expand dual credit.乌鸦传媒�
 
In doing so, the district is exploring the possibility of a Heavy Equipment Operator program, with the recent hands-on demonstration one of the first steps in that. 

乌鸦传媒淚 really thought that the BC RoadShow... would be a really good way to stimulate interest in this program as well as gauge potential interest,乌鸦传媒� Findlay said.

He added that 47 students attended the RoadShow, where they used simulators to experience what it乌鸦传媒檚 like to operate heavy equipment. Following that, 20 kids expressed interest in enroling in a program like that, while the 27 others said they乌鸦传媒檇 be interested in learning more.

In addition to the Heavy Duty Equipment program, other areas being explored include agri-tech, the manufacturing sector and climate change mitigation.

When opened up to questions and comments from the board, trustee Corryn Grayston acknowledged how important these dual credit programs are. 

乌鸦传媒淓very time I hear more about it... it just really reinforces how valuable they are,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淓very individual, every student has a unique path that they want to walk, and our ability to provide multiple opportunities for them to discover and then determine what they want to do within their career is just fabulous.乌鸦传媒�

Board chair Amanda Krebs agreed, and pointed out how expensive some of these post secondary programs can be, so getting to start in high school is a great opportunity. 

Further information on dual credit programs can be found on the district website at sd83.bc.ca.