The work experience portion of the Transitional Vocational Program is a vital component in our student's year. Through these supportive placements we are able to provide hands on skill practice within specific jobs, and exposure to the realistic expectations within the workplace.

Although employers provide day-to-day supervision of students in the performance of their duties, TVP Work Experience Coordinators meet with students frequently to reinforce lessons learned on the job. Through regular contact, we foster a relationship with our students that will allow them to feel comfortable in discussing non-work related issues. We believe that frequent and candid communication is crucial, as a student's ultimate success in employment is often determined by how well they are able to cope with and manage the many aspects of their lives.

Listed are examples of some categories of work experiences we have been able to offer our students, as well as specific Red Deer businesses that we have utilized over the past year. Placements are not limited to those listed below.

Food Services: dishwashing, bussers/hostessing, food preparation

Retail: receiving, pricing, stocking, facing, tidying, cleaning, helping customers, fitting room attendant

Grocery Stores: customer service, carts, stocking, cleaning, bakery

Janitorial/Maintenance services: variety of cleaning duties, snow shoveling, soccer pitch maintenance, painting, moving furniture etc.

Entertainment Venues: cleaning, scanning/re-shelving videos, usher duties

Auto body/Vehicle Maintenance: shop clean up, sanding, assisting mechanic, oil changes, tire "busting" etc.

Lumber Yards: piling/tidying lumber, filling orders, helping customers load materials, etc.

Woodworking: shop clean up, sweeping, moving lumber/materials, sanding, painting

Childcare: kitchen duties, cleaning, assisting in childcare, laundry

Seniors homes: housekeeping, kitchen, recreation, portering

Clerical: filing, data entry, photocopying, faxing, organization, re-shelving books/videos

"The TVP program was a great year for meeting new people, getting to know the teachers, doing work experience and then continuing on to be employed."  Zenon Lefort - Graduate