Manitoba's school boards have one purpose: to provide our students with the best schools possible.
Schools and school boards work with parents as partners in children’s learning.
One of the challenges schools in small, rural or remote communities face is providing their students with the same opportunities enjoyed by students in larger schools and communities. But through teamwork and cooperation—some of the same traits schools seek to instill in students from kindergarten onward—a number of school divisions have found ways to overcome these obstacles when it comes to career technology studies.
The Central and Southwest Regional Career Technology Studies (CTS) Project began 11 years ago, when one school division began exploring ways of delivering technical vocational learning opportunities to students in rural public schools. That one school division is now one of five partners—Prairie Rose, Prairie Spirit, Southwest Horizon, Turtle Mountain and Evergreen. Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth also supports the consortium through a grant earmarked for hiring a regional coordinator.
CTS differs from traditional vocational programs in that it utilizes technical resources available in both local schools and community businesses. The program is flexible and individualized, and is accessible to all students, whatever their course of study.
The impact of the CTS Project has been positive and far-reaching. Student decision-making regarding future career choices, school culture, community relations and general perceptions surrounding technical learning have all changed for the better.
For more information on the Central and Southwest Regional Career Technology Studies Project, contact Regional Coordinator Ernie Bart at ebart@prsdmb.ca or phone 204.745.2001.
