Most first days of school are stressful for any student, but for Andrew Toms it’s a little unnerving.
On the first day of classes yesterday, media were given a glimpse of the Calgary Board of Education’s new Career and Technology Centre’s pre-engineering program.
Toms, a pre-engineering student hoping to become a special effects artist, travels four days a week for his afternoon class.
“I need to know a lot of engineering skills to create safe rigs for special effects,” said Toms, who plans to continue on to university after completing high school.
Now on Phase 1 of the transformation of the former Lord Shaughnessey School, pre-engineering instructor Kristen Byrnes says the course is “an introduction so they can get a taste and see what other types of engineering there are.”
The centre provides pre-placement trades programs in conjunction with most post-secondary programs.
“You can do pretty much anything with an engineering degree,” she said.
Students proceed in post-secondary-like courses with guidance from councillors to create individualized plans geared towards graduation.
Previously geared toward adult upgrading and the achievement of a high school diploma, Lord Shaughnessey High School is also home to many integrated programs with Central Memorial High School, Chinook Learning Centre and Juno Beach Academy.
The centre aims to help student’s transition smoothly into high-demand trade occupations by providing personalized courses and flexible class time.
