Career Exploration Centre

Career Exploration Centre
Explore the Future!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Career Exploration Pont-Viau Centre Closes July 16th till August 16th 2010

Our Career Exploration - Pont-Viau Centre is closed for the vacation period.
July 16th till August 16th

We are available in August to respond to any of your questions, please reach us in any of the following ways;

explorelab@swlauriersb.qc.ca

Our BLOG:
http://explorelabcdc.blogspot.com/

TWITTER:
www.twitter.com/explorelabcdc

FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Career-Exploration-Lab-CDC-Laurier-Pont-Viau/134675526557942?ref=sgm

Please note we are also available through RSS Feed.
Simply, add us to your Microsoft RSS Folder, or Your favourites in your Browser window.
http://explorelabcdc.blogspot.com/rss.xml

Christina Flynn

Project Development Officer
Career Exploration - CDC Laurier Pont-Viau Centre
60, Lahaie Street,

Laval (Qc) H7G 3A8
450 688-2933 ext. 4137 Fax: 450 662-0870

July 16th Today the Career Exploration Pont-Viau Centre is closing for summer vacation

Today is my last day before the summer holidays.  The Career Exploration Pont-Viau Centre will close its' doors from July 19th through till August 16th, 2010.

This morning was spent researching and prepping to build an Action Plan that will enable us to fulfill the potential of this wonderful resource.  As well, today was spent looking for simple, but effective ways to promote The Career Exploration Centre early on in the school year. 

Hopefully, once the Commuication and Public Relations Standing Committee have the opportunity to explore and have some input on some of the ideas I have brewing;

-One of the ideas is to have an ART's Competition open to all Middle School Students in our board.  Focused on getting a LOGO, Profile Badge for the Career Exploration Pont-Viau Centre. I believe the sooner we have a creative, graphic image to help brand the Career Exploration - Pont-Viau Centre the better it will help us to take the next step in promoting us.

-The second idea needs the expertise of various stakeholders, such as Mrs. Heather Halman, Strategic Advisor, Educational Services PED Consultants, Administrators of schools and teachers buy-in.  In thinking about ways to attrach and teach younger students about the value of using the Career Exploration, using other mediums, such as music, dance, theater... can be video taped; describing professions suited to our CDC Laurier and the Career Exploration Pont-Viau Centre.  There can be small groups of 5 or so students, researching professions, identifing those that inspire them, then translating that into moving ART (Theater, Dance, Musical).  This touches so many bases, I have to say, that I personnally love the idea.  Cross-Curricular, Subjects ART. ENGLISH, POP, COMMUNITY SERVICE, MEDIA.... well, the idea is out there, so let's see how and if I can promote it well in September.

-The third idea is to promote early bookings to our Career - Pont-Viau Centre by stipulating a deadline date to reserve their classes at any time during the year.  Open to everyone, our School board, other school boards, whichever client wants to book with us.  We have a DRAW, for one winner, who does an early booking will win transportation to and from their location, 1/2 morning with some kind of leadership activity that the student group will participate in (I keep thinking of zip lining at Morin-Heights), but I am certain there are many other options, just as interesting. Once the group have completed that activity, after their lunch, they arrive at our Centre to work on the modules in the afternoon.  No cost to them.

Well, now that I've gotten those ideas out there, it will truly be time for me to clear my mind of work related issues and projects, to settle in and enjoy my family time.  I wish everyone a very good summer!

July 15th Was all about getting interactive ....

Today was spent going through many of the interactive modules.  We were lucky to have a volunteer participant, Mr. J. Barbagallo, presently heading into his second year at Vanier and a Honours Graduate of Lake of Two Mountains High School. 

With his help and participation, we went through the following modules, learning them, identifying if the instructions were clear for students, etc.... It was a very productive day.
Here are some of the modules that Jeffrey gravitated to;
Flight Transportation
Transportation Design, he made me my very own engraved name tag! (Steve Edwards, your modified instructions were straight on - Thanks!)
Robotics
Electronics
Home Maintenance, which he had to connect a light fixture, safely and within standards (what a way to light up the room Jeff)
Meterology
Vinyl Sign Making
Graphic Design - whereby Jeff made a cool looking "original" mouse pad using the green Apple logo signature.."  Keep it Jeff, well deserved.

When I noted to Jeff that I noticed he had explored the more scientific modules, he headed over to the;
Hospitality and Tourism module
and
Wellness and Nutrition

A day well spent!  Thanks to Jeffrey, we were able to see alot of the modules, how clear the instructions were.  I personnally learnt many new terminologies related to these careers.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

July 13th Career Exploration Pont-Viau Centre invites the GOAL network to register with us

23 members of the GOAL network group have been emailed with an invitation to join us on Facebook or Twitter.  We hope they take us up on our invitiation and that the future will hold great learning opportunities for their students, here at our Centre.  It would be an honour and a privilege to host their groups.

Excerpt from their newsletter, the GOAL post - Supporting The Guidance Oriented Approach To Learning - Spring 2010 - Vol. 6 No. 2
"You, too, can rewire a light fixture or land a jet!"
by Ingrid Hove Gust, Educational Consultant, SWLSB

The Career Development Network, to which so many GOAL consultants belong, recently visited the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board's new Career Exploration Lab.  Designed as an interactive environment for exploring vocational trades and technical careers, the lab is primarily intended for Secondary Cycle Two and older students, but is reaching out to younger students as well.  Its 16 modules use sophisticated computer simulations and hands-on experiments to explore 46 careers in a realistic and in-depth manner.

"The career Lab was a real eye-opener as I had no idea that these simulated work stations for students even existed, " says the EMSB's Marsha Gouett.  As a single homeowner, she enjoyed learning how to re-wire a light fixture in the Home Maintenance Module.  And the ESSB's Malcolm MacPhee was completely engrossed in the simulation software that transformed him into an aircraft pilot.  "I can tell you that the module was well thought out and easy to follow.  I even landed a Bombardier CJ-JET without crashing!"

For more information about the GOAL Network, please communicate with;
Provincial GOAL Coordinator (English Sector)
Sandra Salesas, Ministère de l`Éeducation, du Loisir et du Sport
Tel: (514) 873-3339 ext. 5510
sandra.salesas@mels.gouv.qc.ca

Or communicate with me, Christina Flynn, Project Development Officer for the Career Exploration Pont-Viau Centre at; 450-688-2933 or 514-208-1700 explolab@swlauriersb.qc.ca
BOOK YOUR CLASS! Beginning September 2010

July 13th CDC Laurier is mounting a new website. We add our content

Today the Career Exploration Pont-Viau Centre was invited to submit their ideas and content for their page on the Adult Education - CDC Laurier new website.  A page will be dedicated just for us!

Let me share the content with you. 
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Our Mission:

To offer a wide variety of career exploration opportunities and promote the value of vocational and technical training amongst students, parents and staff.


Now that you now know what a Career Exploration Centre is; here is a summary of what we can offer you; 
-We book and organize, customized to your needs, animated training with the interactive technical/vocational modules. (Half day or full day sessions available) *Luncheon space can be accommodated at our facilities.
-We meet MELS – QEP standards to encourage the development and exploration of, cross-curricular competencies and G.O.A.L. (Guidance Oriented Approach to Learning)http://www.mels.gouv.qc.ca/sections/virage/index_en.asp?page=colloque_l

Our Career Exploration Pont-Viau Center is ideally suited for students in;Semi-Skilled Training,  WOTP (Work Oriented Training Path), POP (Personal Orientation Project), 15Plus programs, French immersion classes, special needs students, and students’ enrichment


You are welcome to call us to arrange a visit.
We will be very happy to provide a customized package for your group, to suit your specific requirements.

The Career Exploration Centre directly supports the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, publication ‘’I Care About Schools, All together for student success, 13 paths to success.’’
Path 11: Provide better support for Secondary IV and V students in order to help them reach graduation.
Path 12: Facilitate and encourage access to vocational training.

The Career Exploration Centre provides diverse learning opportunities that incorporated different career clusters and program areas; Business, Marketing, and IT, Careers and Technology, Family and Consumer Science, Manufacturing and Pre-Engineering, Science.


For more information do not hesitate to contact me, Project Development Officer, Mrs. Christina Flynn, 450-688-2933 x4137 or 514-208-1700

We encourage your participation and offer our services to your School boards, Schools, Training Centres, Parent Groups, Community Organization and Partners.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

July 13th Electrolab Regional Manager Jim Grieve is invited to join our Community

We would like to welcome Electrolab to our on-line Community.

Electrolab Training Systems is our local distributer of DEPCO Career Exploration Modules.

July 12th Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board Educational Services (PED) Consultants invited

Well, we are an open Community and want to express to all our Colleagues about the wonderful Career Exploration Centre. 

Naturally, our Pedagogical Consultants are part of our Educational Family and we wanted them to be aware of us and bring them into our Community as well.

They are close to schools and centres, our students as well.  What a great resource to us at the Career Exploration Centre.  Their expertise and guidance will be invaluable to us as we customize our package offerings to our schools and centres, to best meet their needs.

We look forward to working with you and in hopes that we can develop wonderful projects together to benefit all parties.

PERSEVERENCE,
''There is no substitute for hard work.''
Thomas Alva Edison

We are honoured if our Council of Commisioners will join our on-line Community

Needless to say all this would not be possible without the support of our Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board Council of Commissioners.

This idea went out to our Communications and Public Relations Standing Committee and with the go-ahead and enthusiastic support of our Chairman Mr. Steve Bletas, we would not be speaking out to you today.

Thanks Steve, we love your vision for this Career Exploration Pont-Viau Centre and hope to do you proud.

Thank you to our Coordinator Maxeen Jolin, for her suggestions and prompt support for this idea.

As well, to Mrs. Heather Halman, for which this post would not be possible - Strategic Planning Advisor and the person steerheading this Career Exploration Pont-Viau Project.  BRAVO Heather! 

I look forward to working with all of you in August!

July 12th Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board Guidance Councellors invited to join

I am glad to report that the Career Exploration Pont-Viau Centre has the honour of inviting our Guidance Councellors. 
The invitation included a reference from one of our Pedagogical Consultant, Mrs. Ingrid Hove Gust.

This centre fits with G.O.A.L. (Guidance-oriented Approach to Learning).

As our very own Ingrid Hove Gust stipulates in this article;
http://www.mels.gouv.qc.ca/sections/virage/index_en.asp?page=colloque_l
“The main objective of GOAL is to facilitate students’ school success and career-building experiences within and outside the classroom,” said Gust. “Through an effective team approach, we can assist students in their personal and career development.”

We welcome you to our on-line Community and look forward to building a strong foundation for your students within our centre. 

July 12th SWLSB Board, School, and Centre Administrators were invited to join

Our Sir Wilfrid Laurier leaders were invited to join our FACEBOOK, TWITTER and BLOG Communities.
It will be a pleasure to welcome them.

We look forward to a wonderful relationship with our schools and centres.

Let`s work together!
'' Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.'' Henry Ford

To complete your registration, please click the following link, or copy and paste it into your browser.


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Career-Exploration-Lab-CDC-Laurier-Pont-Viau/134675526557942?ref=sgm

TWITTER with us:
Click this link; http://twitter.com/explorelabcdc
Get updates via SMS by texting follow explorelabcdc to 21212 in Canada

July 12th Email invitations sent out to join our FACEBOOK, TWITTER Community

Yesterday afternoon was very productive. 
All invitiations were sent out by email to OUR PARTNERS of our Career Exploration - Pont-Viau Centre. 

1- Centre Local de Développement (CLD) de Laval et Conseil régional des Élus de Laval, Madame Manon Caron, Directrice générale

2- Commision de la Construction du Québec, Madame Chantal Dubeau, Direction formation professionnelle

3 - Tourisme Laval, Madame Andrée Courteau, Directrice générale
4- Ville de Laval, Monsieur Gilles Vaillancourt, Maire
5-Député de Vimont, Monsieur Vincent Auclair, Whip adjoint du gouvernement
  -Députée des Mille-Iles, Madame Francine Charbonneau, Adjointe parlementaire à la ministre de l'immigration et des Communautés culturelles.
  -Députée de Fabre, Madame Michelle Courchesne, Ministre de l'Éducation, du loisir et du sport, Ministre responsable de la région de Laval
  -Député de Chomedy, Monsieur Guy Ouellette, Adjoint parlementaire à la ministre des Transports
  -Député de Laval-des-Rapides, Monsieur Alain Paquet, Président de la Commision des finances publiques
6 -SEPB577, Mr. Jack Fitch, President
7 -BMW Laval, Mr. Carmine D'Agenio, President
8 -LEARN, Mr. Michael Canuel, Director General
9 -Groupe Montoni Inc, Mr. Dario Montoni, President
10-Centre de santé et services sociaux de Laval, Monsieur Luc Lepage, Directeur général
11-Institut National de Recherche Scientifique, Monsieur Pierre Lapointe, Directeur général
12-Desjardins-Fédération des caisses du Québec, Conseiller en communication, Monsieur Laurent Piuze, Vice-présidence régionale Laval-Laurentides
We hope you take the time to register to be able to see on-going what your generous contributions provide to our students, parents and staff, let`s not forget The Community at large.  This Centre has so much potential.

Please join us!

Monday, July 12, 2010

July 12th Interactive Modules

As Project Development Officier it is important that I understand each module, so today I will begin with the Computer Animation Module.  This module's program areas are Business, Marketing and IT, as well as, Careers and Technology, and Graphic Communications. 
There are different activities to select.  I will begin with the Quick Start Menu provided, which is Drawing Frames, Animation Concepts: Movement and Understanding Frames, Layers, and the Timeline. 

The Skills obtained in this module are;
Plan animations using a storyboard
Create individual images with animation program
Combine sound with animation
Use layers, the timeline, and the library
Shape, color, and motion tween images

Talk to you later! 
Call the Career Exploration Lab to book your session for your group?
450-688-2933 x4137
We begin taking bookings by mid-August

Friday, July 9, 2010

Project Development Officer

Please contact me at: 450 688 2933 x 4137 or 514-208-1700 to get more information as to what the Career Exploration Lab can do for you.  We organize school visits, so much more than a field trip.  QEP based, cross-curricular competencies, interactive training modules, career exploration.  Fun for students, parents and educators alike.  Be the first to set-up an appointment to visit, with or without your students.  Get a first hand look at the potential for your students.  We are situated 5 minutes from Cartier Metro Station, easily accessible by public transport, or busses.  Come check us out!  First of it's kind in Quebec!
Today is the first BLOG for the Career Exploration Centre.  My name is Christina and am the new Project Development Officer for this Career Exploration Lab.  It is really cool.  We have 16 interactive modules.  There is so much potential for the Community, to help students, parents, and educators understand the value of Technical and Vocational career options.  I can't wait to get the message out.