As the chapter of high school comes to an end, many students are eager to flip the page and see what awaits them in their educational endeavours.
For some students, that next chapter can begin early, propelling them further into the book of life.
In partnership with Olds College, the Rocky View Schools (RVS) district took part in a dual credit program this year, allowing five selected students from the division to earn a veterinary technical assistant certificate at the same time they graduated from high school.
Principal of RVS Community Learning Centre, Greg Rankin, said that Olds College presented the program to the division last year. After being granted five spots, they opened it up to other school divisions.
Appreciating the leg-up the dual credit program could give their students, RVS principals were asked to provide Rankin with a list of students that were interested in the vet tech program, the health sciences, or who may want to pursue becoming a veterinarian as a career.
The dual credit program was open to students in grades 11 and 12. Rankin said that each of the five RVS students who completed the certificate are graduating from high school this month.
Rankin added the students who participated in the program worked hard to achieve their certificates while juggling their regular Grade 12 classes. He said they devoted themselves to the process and ultimately achieved their goal.
“Those kids were really invested,” he said. “They worked hard and they earned their certificates.”
The students worked in a blended format, doing work online during the week and travelling to animal hospitals or Olds College on weeknights or weekends to work under the tutelage of those facilities’ employees. Through the program, the five students were provided with hands-on experience taking care of animals.
Rankin said the five participating students were happy with what they learned through the program, and noted they are excited to have a career option right out of high school.
“The students that I've talked to have been really thrilled about the opportunity,” he said. “I think that can only help to boost confidence to allow them to leave knowing ‘I can enter the workforce’ and with a great job.”
Highlighting the importance of learning, Rankin said having dual credit programming in RVS is a great opportunity to support students.
The program is already looking ahead to the 2023-24 school year, the principal added, with five new slots up for nomination.
“The experience of learning anything is valuable,” Rankin said. “It's pretty cool that we can support Rocky View kids with this program.”
