Summerside -
A new co-operative education program will help introduce Western School Board high school students to career possibilities in health care.
The work-placement program is the joint effort of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the school board and Prince County Hospital.
"When students have the opportunity to experience the workplace while they are still in school, it makes their studies relevant and helps them determine the direction they may pursue in post secondary education," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.
All co-operative education placements at Prince County Hospital will be co-ordinated through the career education consultant at the Western School Board. Students eligible for placement will be required to complete a pre-placement interview by hospital staff.
A personalized placement learning plan that will be developed jointly by the co-operative education teacher, student and workplace supervisor will establish specific learning goals and workplace expectations.
Career opportunities in health include direct-care occupations such as family physicians and nurses, lab technologists, and medical radiation technologists, as well as health support services occupations in areas such as engineering, information technology, nutrition and culinary services, and maintenance.
Hospital officials will identify what positions they have to offer in early June and early December so that co-operative education students and educators will have time to prepare for placement for the upcoming semester.
"This co-operative education agreement with the Prince County Hospital is a significant step forward for career education in the Western School Board," said Currie. "I hope we will see more learning partnerships like this in the future in other health facilities, in other career sectors and in other areas of the province."
