On-the-Job Learning

Off-Campus Education gives students an opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience, develop new skills, explore career pathways, and earn high school credits while working or volunteering. Placements may take place during the school day, evenings, weekends, or school breaks.

Career Pathways

What's the difference between Work Experience and the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)?

Pathway Options

Work Experience allows students to earn high school credits through approved paid or volunteer workplace experiences. Placements may be on-campus or off-campus.

Registered Apprenticeship Program

RAP is for students employed in an Alberta designated trade. RAP students are both full-time high school students and registered apprentices. Students receive paid, on-the-job training under the supervision of a qualified journeyperson and can earn up to 40 RAP credits, while also accumulating hours toward their apprenticeship. Employer participation in Work Experience and RAP is voluntary and requires the employer's agreement and school approval.

Pathway Options

Off-Campus Work Experience or RAP – Students Who Already Have a Job or Placement

1. Complete HCS3000 – Workplace Safety Systems, the required prerequisite safety course.
2. Provide the employer and supervisor information needed to prepare your Off-Campus Agreement (OCA) and learning plan.
3. Your Off-Campus Education teacher will contact the employer and complete the required approval process.
4. Once your OCA has been approved and your Off-Campus Education teacher has confirmed your start date, you may begin recording eligible hours toward high school credit.

Important: Work hours completed before your approved start date cannot be counted toward Off-Campus Education credits.

Required Employer Information
Before completing your Off-Campus Agreement, please have the following information:

• Supervisor's first and last name
• Supervisor's email address
• Supervisor's telephone number
• Business name and address

Once you have completed the required safety course and have your employer information, visit the Off-Campus Education Office – Room 216 to discuss your placement and complete the required paperwork.

(On-Campus) Work Experience – Students with a Teacher Supervisor

1. Complete HCS3000 – Workplace Safety Systems, the prerequisite safety course.
2. Complete the required Off-Campus Agreement (OCA) and learning plan with your supervising teacher and Off-Campus Education teacher.
3. Once your OCA has been approved and your start date confirmed, begin recording eligible hours on your timesheets.
4. Visit the Off-Campus Education Office – Room 216 for program enrolment.

Work Experience & Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)

Work Experience 15 / 25 / 35 – Up to 30 Credits
Work Experience allows students in Grades 10–12 to gain practical workplace experience, develop employability skills, explore career interests, and earn high school credits through approved paid or volunteer placements. Existing part-time jobs may be eligible when the placement provides opportunities for continued learning and skill development.
Prerequisite: HCS3000 – Workplace Safety Systems

Preparing for Work Experience
Students are encouraged to find and secure their own job or volunteer placement. If you are still looking for a placement, consider the following:

• Research careers and occupations using ALIS to learn about job duties, working conditions, wages, education requirements, and employment outlook.
• Research potential employers, including their location, available positions, job requirements, and how you will get to and from work.
• Prepare an up-to-date résumé and become familiar with the information you have included.
• Practice answering common interview questions and be prepared to explain your skills, experience, interests, and goals.
• Visit the Off-Campus Education Office – Room 216 if you would like help with your résumé, cover letter, job search, or interview preparation.

Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) – Up to 40 RAP Credits
RAP allows high school students to begin an apprenticeship while completing high school. RAP students are both full-time high school students and registered apprentices who divide their time between school and paid on-the-job learning in a designated trade.
Students must find an employer willing to employ them as a RAP apprentice, provide appropriate training and supervision by a qualified journeyperson, and pay at least minimum wage. The school works with the student and employer to approve the worksite and develop a learning plan.

RAP students earn 1 high school credit for every 25 hours of approved on-the-job learning and can earn up to 40 RAP credits, while their eligible workplace hours also contribute toward their apprenticeship.
Required prerequisite: HCS3000 – Workplace Safety Systems
Recommended: HCS3010 – Workplace Safety Practices

Getting Started with RAP
Students interested in RAP should meet with the Off-Campus Education Coordinator before applying. Once an appropriate employer and trade have been identified and the placement has been approved, students can complete the online RAP application through Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT). Successful applicants receive a Record Book (Blue Book) to record their apprenticeship training and progress.

RAP Resources

• Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)
• Alberta Skilled Trades
• High School Apprenticeship Scholarships

Online Safety Courses

HCS3000 – Workplace Safety Systems
HCS3010 – Workplace Safety Practices
AGR3000 – Agriculture Safety
CSTS 2020 – Construction Safety Training System

Forest Lawn High School

Complete Online Safety Courses Anywhere – Anytime!

Online safety courses provide students with an opportunity to earn high school credits while developing practical workplace health and safety knowledge.
Each course is worth 1 high school credit and typically requires approximately 25 hours of coursework. Students are encouraged to complete each course within two weeks of enrolment.

Students who require additional time should contact the Off-Campus Education Coordinator with a brief progress update and request an extension.

HCS3000 – Workplace Safety Systems is the prerequisite for students participating in most Off-Campus Education programs, including Work Experience and RAP.

AGR3000 – Agriculture Safety is the prerequisite safety course for students participating in Green Certificate programs.

Students may also complete additional available safety courses to develop their workplace safety knowledge and earn additional high school credits.
Students must successfully complete all required course activities and assessments and achieve a final grade of at least 50% to earn credit.

• Register Now for Online Safety
• Register Now for Construction Safety Training

HCS3000 – Workplace Safety Systems
The prerequisite course for Alberta students participating in most Off-Campus Education programs, including Work Experience and the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Course content includes workplace health and safety systems, hazard identification, assessment and control, emergency response, incident reporting and investigation, workplace legislation, WHMIS, employment standards, and Workers' Compensation.

HCS3010 – Workplace Safety Practices
A recommended course for students preparing to participate in the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). HCS3000 is the prerequisite for this course.
Course content includes accident and incident prevention, hazard identification, assessment and control, fire safety and emergency response, electrical safety, ladder safety, confined spaces, WHMIS, ergonomics, and other workplace safety practices.

AGR3000 – Agriculture Safety
The prerequisite safety course for Alberta students participating in Green Certificate Program courses. Course content includes agricultural hazards and injury prevention, hazard assessment and control, farm safety, fire and electrical safety, ladder and confined-space safety, hazardous materials, personal protective equipment (PPE), ergonomics, emergency response planning, and workplace safety legislation.

CSTS2020 – Construction Safety Training System*
This is an online construction safety orientation developed by the Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) for workers who are new to the construction industry. The CSTS2020 Fundamentals course consists of nine interactive modules covering foundational construction workplace health and safety. The Fundamentals course takes approximately 2–3 hours to complete. Optional job-specific modules are also available in areas such as ladder and scaffold safety, confined spaces, hazardous energy, respiratory protection, mobile equipment, excavations, rigging and hoisting, safeguards, and working at heights.

*Students working in an active construction site must complete CSTS2020 prior to enrollment in Off-Campus Education.

Students can self-register anytime here: CSTS2020

What's next?
After completing your safety course(s), contact your Off-Campus Education teacher to confirm completion and discuss your next steps. Your completed course and credit will be added to your high school record.

Depending on your program or workplace, you may need additional safety training before beginning or continuing your placement. Safety requirements can vary depending on the job, employer, industry, and type of work being performed.

HCS3000 – Workplace Safety Systems is required for most students participating in Work Experience or RAP.

HCS3010 – Workplace Safety Practices provides additional workplace safety training and is recommended for students entering RAP or workplaces where additional safety knowledge is beneficial.

AGR3000 – Agriculture Safety is required for students participating in the Green Certificate Program.

CSTS2020 – Construction Safety Training System may be required or recommended for students entering construction-related workplaces or training programs.

Your Off-Campus Education teacher will help determine which safety courses or certifications are appropriate for your placement.