UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA
New TekX program welcomes first cohort of high school students

For a select group of SD57 Grade 11 and 12 students, September marks the start of a special back-to-school event they are starting the new academic year at three different schools.  

Twenty high school students from School District 57 enrolled in the first-ever cohort of the Technology Exploration (TekX) Dual Credit program that is starting this September. The program is a collaboration between College of New Caledonia (CNC), the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and School District 57 (SD57) to open career pathways in technology industries for young learners. 

Through 300 hours of hands-on learning, TekX students earn post-secondary credits while still in high school through exciting courses in technologies at the CNC and UNBC campuses in Prince George.  The program has filled all its seats for the inaugural class. 

"As a school district, we are excited for new opportunities for our students, especially when they include CNC and UNBC but also in an area where there is a high demand for jobs in the future," says Lee Karpenko, SD57 Assistant Superintendent. 

CNC is hosting a TekX Student Orientation on Wednesday, August 28 in collaboration with UNBC and SD57 to welcome the first cohort of students and their families. Students will meet program instructors, explore their local campus, and receive their study materials to make them feel prepared and excited for the upcoming semester. Student Services will be available to share information and resources about the post-secondary experience. 

"Dual credit programs like TekX give high school students an opportunity to explore which field of study inspires them and increase their post-secondary readiness and confidence," says Cindy Heitman, CNC president. "We are proud of the successful collaboration with UNBC and SD57 to provide the youth of today and tomorrow with access to quality experiential learning opportunities." 

"The TekX program is a unique pathway for learners to explore careers in high-tech industries through hands-on learning opportunities," says Dr. Geoff Payne, UNBC President. "By cultivating curiosity, this collaboration with CNC and SD57 is empowering the community to meet the growing demand for a sustainable workforce in northern British Columbia and beyond." 

The tech sector in B.C. is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. Labour market forecasts expect close to 117,000 STEM-related (science, technology, engineering, and math) job openings over the next decade. 

"The tech sector in British Columbia is booming and we need to train the next generation of experts in the technology field," says Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. "This collaboration between UNBC, CNC and SD57, offering students an opportunity to earn post-secondary credits in technology while still high school, is a perfect example of educational institutions taking the initiative to offer programs for students in areas with high labour market demand in British Columbia." 

"TekX is helping high school students build their passion for technologies while developing in-demand skills and experience needed by employers in every sector from mining and energy infrastructure, through to digital media and life sciences," Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. "B.C. has one of the fastest growing tech sectors in North America, and we are taking action to help students build a foundational understanding of technology so they can access secure, well-paying careers in a strong and innovative economy." 

Students and parents can learn more by visiting CNC's and UNBC's TekX information pages or by speaking with a SD57 secondary school guidance counsellor. 

Both CNC and UNBC offer various dual credit programs for high school students who want to earn post-secondary credits before they graduate. For more information, visit the SD57 Curriculum Hub.