A new one-year certificate program will give students who are unsure about what to do after graduating high school the opportunity to explore their career and post-secondary options.

The Pathways to College and Workplace Success program is designed to help participants develop their skill sets, engage in career planning, and grow in academic confidence. By the time they finish the program, they will have the knowledge, experience, and ability to make an informed decision about their career path. If they decide to continue their post-secondary education at Holland College, they will receive credit for some of the courses they have completed in the pathways program.

Holland College President Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald said the program was developed to address an increasingly pressing concern over the number of graduating high school students whose training and career paths are uncertain.

“We are aware that in PEI many graduating seniors do not enter the post secondary system directly after completing high school. Others do and find the transition challenging. Many of these young people are uncertain about the educational and training opportunities available and lack confidence in their own abilities. Our hope is that this program will encourage more students to be engaged in fully exploring their career options whether in a post-secondary setting or the labour market.”

The curriculum for the program is still under development, but in the first semester it will include career exploration courses, two courses that are a part of the college’s full time programs, and an option that will allow students the opportunity to choose a course based on their interests. In the second semester and depending on their aptitudes and interests, students will explore courses that are part of the college’s full-time programs.

For more information about the Pathways to College and Workplace Success program, visit the program page on the website.