The Ministry of Education and Child Care is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from school districts and independent schools to enhance and increase Work Experience (WEX) 12A/12B placements associated with Technology, Climate Change and Emergency Management, and local priorities. To apply for this initiative, please review the requirements and submit a completed application. The application submission deadline is September 13, 2024.
Work Experience Enhancement Initiative Requirements
The Ministry of Education and Child Care (ECC) invites Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from school districts and groups of independent schools to advance opportunities in Technology, Climate Change and Emergency Management, or a local Sector of Importance that will increase student participation in Work Experience (WEX) 12A and 12B courses.
A total of $600,000 in grant funding is available for this initiative. Two funding types are available: (1) grants of up to $50,000 for individual school districts or groups of three or more independent schools, and (2) grants of up to $100,000 for partnerships of three or more school districts or a combination of two or more school districts and three or more independent schools.
These grants will be distributed in late fall 2024, and funding may be used during the remainder of the 2024/25 school year to:
- establish WEX agreements with employers to increase the number of WEX enrolments beginning in the 2025/26 school year, including offsetting costs of related meetings and travel
- strengthen Career Education staffing capacity
Preference may be given to applications that:
- feature local or regional collaboration between school districts and/or groups of independent schools
- focus on more than one employment sector
- improve access to WEX opportunities for students with disabilities and diverse abilities, Indigenous students, or youth in care
- develop opportunities for students in rural and remote communities through virtual and/or in-person WEX placements
- did not receive funding in March 2024 for the previous intake of the Work Experience Enhancement Initiative
Additional Requirements
- Applicants may only be featured on one application and cannot apply to this initiative multiple times, whether individually or as part of another group or partnership
- Applicants who were funded in the March 2024 intake and are applying for this current intake must clearly articulate how additional funding will enhance their work beyond the scope of their previous application
- Grant recipients must commit to participating in a Community of Practice during the 2024/25 school year to share successes and challenges associated with this initiative. Additional details about the Community of Practice will be communicated to successful applicants
Application Materials
To be considered for this funding opportunity, please refer to Appendix A, and complete and submit the attached application.
Applications must be submitted to educ.skills@gov.bc.ca by 4:00 PM on September 13, 2024.
Late applications may not be considered.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Tony Arthurs at Tony.Arthurs@gov.bc.ca or 250-213-7540