New agreement bridges local schools and UFV

Members of UFV and SD #78 sign a memorandum of understanding Sept. 24, 2015. Back row (left to right): Karl Koslowsky, Patsy Graham, Margaret Smiley, Greg Howard, Associate Dean of Applied and Technical Studies Rolf Arnold. Front row (left to right): Linda Kerr, SD #78 Superintendent Dr. Karen Nelson, UFV President Mark Evered, Dean of Applied and Technical Studies John English. SD #78 and UFV.

Fraser Cascade secondary students can enjoy an early start to trades careers thanks to a new agreement between School District #78 and the University of the Fraser Valley.

In a memorandum of understanding signed Sept. 24, SD #78 and UFV agreed to provide preferred access for students into designated UFV Trades and Technology programs on a reserved seat basis; deliver dual credit programming by UFV to students; and explore opportunities to deliver UFV programs within SD #78 high schools.

Both partners look forward to helping the next generation of skilled workers reach their career goals faster than ever before.

“We are confident that this partnership will provide our students with the necessary skills, abilities, and qualifications that will enable them to enter the workplace and look forward to bright and promising futures,” says SD #78 Superintendent Dr. Karen Nelson, pointing out her district has enjoyed a very effective relationship with UFV over the years in providing dual credit university courses.

John English, UFV’s Dean of Applied and Technical Studies, expects the new agreement will help students shift gears between educational experiences.

“One of the best things we can do for students is to blur the lines between the K-12 system and post-secondary system to create opportunities for them to access technical career education as soon as their interests are there. This MOU begins to do just that,” he says.

“We are looking forward to working with Fraser-Cascade to make these opportunities real and to watch the vibrant and enthused young minds start university technical programs while in high school.”

SD #78 stretches from Boston Bar to Harrison Hot Springs. For more information on the district, visit www.sd78.bc.ca. For more information on UFV’s Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies, visit www.ufv.ca/trades.