Educators
Help students make informed decisions about their future
Most students have limited knowledge of the career options that suit their interests and abilities, as well as what steps they can take to learn more and prepare themselves.
We offer programming and resources that help you support your students in their career development, so that they can build their path to a fulfilling career.
Request a SpeakerOur Speakers Bureau connects students to real-world career stories
For 20 years, the volunteers in our Speakers Bureau have shared their career experiences with students in elementary and high school.
Hundreds of members of our local workforce are ready to help students better understand their career options after high school and the steps they can take to get there. They help connect what students are learning in class to what they can do when they enter the workforce. They know the answers to questions like: "How will I use geometry or calculus when working? What can I do with a degree in biology? What are my career options if I thrive in English or history?" because of their lived experience.
Our speakers provide an interactive, real-world source of valuable information. By sharing their career journey, our speakers help youth understand the need to continually use new information to assess their current path and determine their next steps.
Educators can access the Speakers Bureau by making an online request. We will then arrange a speaker based on your needs and schedule. You (and your students) can preview many of our volunteers in our Career Profile section.
Request a Speaker
Looking for more detail about how the Speakers Bureau works for educators?
Virtual Career Hunts for Grade 7-8s
Career Hunts bring grade 7-8s students together with career mentors working in desired fields, industries and professions. Each student participates in interactive sessions that will open up a world of choices and help them learn first-hand what it takes to be successful. The experience clarifies career and educational pathways and students become actively engaged in designing their own career path.
This series of events are organized by JA South Western Ontario in partnership with BEP Waterloo Region and will be available for registration soon.
Youth Creativity Fund
The Youth Creativity Fund fosters creative confidence by connecting creative ideas, designed by students, with donations from people passionate about seeing youth creativity flourish. After all: creative confidence is built through having the opportunity to try, experiment, fail… and succeed.
Through the Youth Creativity Fund, youth ages 15-18 in Waterloo Region can apply for microgrants of up to $1000 to pursue a creative learning project. You can help by sharing this opportunity with your students!
Trades PD
Trades PD is a professional development series to support local guidance counsellors in advising students about the benefits and pathways to a career in the skilled trades.
Learn more about Trades PD
Legacy Builders
The Legacy Builders program provides young students with a fun, interactive, and informative session about what a career in the construction industry could look like. The purpose is to spark interest in the hands-on trades.
NEW! Take your class on a virtual workplace tour
Our new virtual tour section gives students a chance to see inside some Waterloo Region workplaces.
By opening their doors, these organizations are giving youth a chance to see what it would be like to work there. Some of these tours are videos such as the sample here and others are more like touring a home for sale online.
More research tools for your students
Visit our Recommended Tools page for more resources that you can use with your class to research jobs, labour market information and pathways for training and education required to achieve their career goals.