Career Development

Curriculm Documents

Career Development courses provide all students with an opportunity to reflect on their interests and strengths, develop essential career competencies, link education to employment, learn about possible career opportunities, and gain expertise in the “real world”. Career development courses and credits allow more students in Manitoba to graduate better prepared for their career/life transitions.

Courses include:

Career Development Life/Work

Career Development Life/Work courses are designed with flexibility to meet learners’ needs. It is recommended that the courses be offered in sequence; however, they can be offered independently (e.g., only Grade 9 or Grade 10). Career development courses may be taught separately, or full or half-credit courses can be combined with other full-credit or half-credit courses to meet local needs (e.g. English language arts or ICT courses taught together with Career Development Life/Work curricula).

Career Development Life/Work courses are optional. They allow more students in Manitoba to obtain a high school diploma and to graduate better prepared for their career/life transitions. They are designed to help students:

  • make greater curricular connections between learning in school and the rapidly transforming world or work
  • experience career learning and benefit from work experience opportunities in the community
  • identify characteristics that describe who they are (e.g., interests, strengths, accomplishments, values, and skills that include essential, employability, and transferable skills)
  • investigate and demonstrate the personal qualities, knowledge, abilities and attitudes needed to seek, obtain, or create work
  • reflect on how their personal characteristics influence their thoughts, ideas, actions and education and career choices
  • develop career-decision making skills
  • expand their awareness of the school and community opportunities available to help them develop skills and relationships
  • explore a variety of career opportunities, learn about career pathways and expand their future career vision through exposure to career sectors
  • develop an awareness of the impact of local and global trends (e.g., technological, social, economic, and demographic) on future career opportunities
  • research the education/training preparation, experience, and skills required to achieve their desired career goals
  • think critically about career issues and decisions and the financial literacy skills related to pursuing their education and career goals
  • use acquired knowledge to create a plan and set goals based on their preferred future
  • use technology, where possible, to integrate information and communications technology (ICT) learning outcomes
  • gain knowledge and understanding of their responsibilities and the responsibilities of employers regarding workplace and health and safety
  • develop the competencies to become active, resilient citizens able to confront challenges and thrive in a complex, uncertain, and changing world
Full Credit Courses

Half-Credit Courses

To increase flexibility for students, Career Development Life/Work courses are also available as half-credit courses. The Career Development Life/Work curriculum documents serve as a resource for the half-credit courses.

Half-credit Career Development Life/Work courses can be taught separately or clustered together with other half-credit courses for more impactful career exploration. Examples of courses that can be offered together with career development credits include the following:

  • Computer science courses provide students with an opportunity to practice solving complex problems, learn how to write computer code and design and test programs. Combining Career Development Life/Work courses with computer science courses helps students see the benefits of enhancing digital skills and developing confidence with innovative technologies.
  • Language courses build skills that are valuable in an interconnected world and in the modern workplace. Exploring new languages in high school helps students see how they can enrich their skill development and create new career opportunities.
  • Industrial arts and technology courses broaden students' creativity and build their innovative problem solving and practical technical skills. Students are introduced to various careers and educational opportunities that exist in the growing world of technology, which helps to broaden their career options.

Please refer to the Career Development Work/Life curriculum documents that serve as resource documents for half credit courses.

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