Introduction

Kids can't imagine a future for themselves doing something they've never experienced.

Choosing a career path can be challenging, especially for vulnerable Manitobans, many of whom are Indigenous, newcomers to Canada, visible minorities, and low-income students.

Career Trek's vision is to create a world where young people are empowered to see themselves in a variety of careers and have the skills and knowledge to pursue their chosen career paths. Career Trek's programs include in-person experiences and cover a variety of industries such as healthcare, technology, trades, and more. We work closely with school divisions, individual schools, post-secondary institutions, key stakeholders in rural Indigenous communities and with business and industry partners.

The short-term objectives are:

Personal management, self awareness, personal and social growth;
learning and work exploration, academic engagement and motivation; life/work building, career exploration, career discovery and planning

The long-term objectives are:

Completing high-school and engaging in academic and personal development;
Greater understanding about the world of work;
Knowledge of lifelong learning;
Understanding of occupations/essential skills

Wonder of Work aims to inspire and inform youth in grades 5 and 6 through hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and career exploration. WOW encourages kids to explore career options and to learn about themselves and their goals. They explore their likes, dislikes, and potential. Participants leave WOW empowered to take charge of their unique career paths.

WOW is a fun way for kids to learn about themselves, but it's so much more than that. Participants begin to see the link between education, career options, and personal success. They become their own career champions.

Career Trek aims to achieve the following outcomes through its Wonder of Work Program:

1) Ensuring participants understand the purpose and importance of staying in school and life-long learning.

2) Providing resources throughout the program that will lead to the development or enhancement of key 21st Century Employability Skills, such as communication, problem solving, positive attitudes and behaviours, adaptability and working with others.

Some of the career areas that participants have explored in past years include: