Schools, TRU work together

The Kamloops-Thompson School District and Thompson Rivers University have banded together in a bid to boost student transition rates between the two organizations.

The TRU-SD73 Joint Transitions Committee was created two years ago and is currently working to lead students into markets with labour shortages, create earlier transitions into post-secondary, boost opportunities for rural students and broaden experiential learning opportunities.

Last year, the committee found the number of SD73 students transitioning to post-secondary had declined, according to a report given to the board of education Monday evening.

Programs to improve rates

SD73 direction of instruction for secondary learning services Rick Kienlein told the board of education the creation of the district’s new health sciences academy and expansions to the TRU Start program were examples of programs intended to draw students to markets in need of workers.

He said the committee has assigned TRU advisors to each secondary school to talk with prospective students and staff.

Kienlein also said around 1,500 SD73 students in grades 7 to 10 toured TRU’s campus last year and said Discover Days events, such as Try-A-Trade and Girls Exploring Trades and Technology, are held alongside students looking to explore potential careers.

“These experiences are those that these students receive university faculty instruction and learn about the post secondary environment before actually beginning their high school career,” Kienlein said.

A report to the board states seats are held in TRU’s health care assistant program and the TRU early childhood education programs for SD73 students.

Kienlein added a level 1 foundation carpentry program in Clearwater has also been developed.

“Students who are currently enrolled in dual credit programs at TRU, they have access to TRU services and opportunities through the career and experiential learning initiatives at TRU, as dual credit students are considered first year students,” Kienlein said.

Improving rates for Indigenous students

SD73 Indigenous students on average transition to post-secondary at higher rates compared to their provincial peers, but less often than the average for all SD73 students.

SD73 assistant superintendent of inclusive education Michelle Mattes highlighted a number of indigenous education programs, including an Indigenous Transitions Day to Post-Secondary event for around 100 to 120 students at TRU each November.

“Students are encouraged to explore the TRU campus, tour various academic and trades programs and consider post secondary pathways,” Mattes said.

She said aboriginal education workers are also invited to TRU’s campus annually to participate in an sharing session to help students transition to post-secondary and the annual Strengthening Connections Week brings post-secondary institutes to secondary schools to share opportunities for indigenous students as well.

TRU hosted the first Indigenous Youth Summit last year and will be holding an Aboriginal Trades and Transitions day for SD73 students.

More work to be done

“Through our work with the SD73-TRU Transitions Joint Committee, there are opportunities to have very frank conversations behind closed doors and share information about a number of other topics,” Kienlein said.

TRU has been seeking to attract domestic students through new programs and recruitment strategies to offset a dramatic drop in its international student enrolment.

Kienlein told the SD73 board of education in September that the number of students transitioning to TRU has increased over the last two years.