Opportunities
Information on workshops, leadership programs, and experiences that promote personal growth.
Interesting for ALL High School students, not only for our Grad Class. You can never start too early to learn new skills and build your resume.
Curious about the skilled trades?
Join an in-person info session targeted to current grade 10 & 11 students who want to explore SD43 opportunities in the skilled trades. Learn about TRAIN in Trades programs & how to apply, WORK in Trades program & $1000 scholarship, and more. Register here.
Thursday, November 5th 6pm | Winslow Gym (1100 Winslow Ave, Coq)
Join Pathways to Science, a free online program designed to help high school students explore career pathways and strengthen foundational scientific skills. Held once a month between September 2026 – June 2027, you will hear directly from researchers and health professionals working in science and medicine. You will explore how scientific discoveries are made, learn about different education and career pathways, and gain insight into what it’s really like to work in research and healthcare. Whether you are already considering a career in health sciences or simply curious, this series is designed to help you explore your interests and better understand the opportunities and foundational skills needed in STEM.
Sessions run Mondays, once a month (September 2026 - June 2027), 5-6 pm. Sign up anytime, but enrolment is limited to the first 1,000 students who register.*If you attend 7 out of 10 webinars, you are eligible to receive a certificate.
HIP Y2Y (Honouring Indigenous Peoples Youth to Youth)
The program entails an online learning curriculum as well as a fully funded one week retreat, this year it is taking place in Edmonton, Alberta. Purpose of the program is to foster Truth and Reconciliation among youth through hands on and collaborative learning, listening, and experience.
Each year 50 youth from all across Canada are selected for this experience: 25 Indigenous and 25 non-indigenous youth aged 15-17. Selected participants will have flights to and from Edmonton covered as well as accommodation at Métis Crossing, an Indigenous owned hotel and gathering place along with meals, souvenirs etc. This program is completely cost free to participants.
Apply by October 30. https://honouringindigenouspeoples.com/2025curriculum/
Thursday, November 5, 3.15 pm | library
Join our info session with representatives from our SD43 Career Programs team and the Coquitlam Fire Chief. Learn everything there is to know about the Jr Fire Academy program and how to put your best application forward.
Applications will be accepted starting November 2. Deadline is December 4.
This year the application is in two parts. PART 1 is an online portion that needs to be completed and submitted by December 4, 2026. PART 2 will need to printed out and signed by the required signees. Part 2 must be handed into Ms Kaufmann at the Career Office no later than December 4, 2026.
The Junior Firefighting Programs will give the applicants a true understanding of the basic components both physical and educational of Fire Rescue’s basic training for new recruits. The educational component will test the applicant’s knowledge learned in the classroom of firefighting equipment, fire behaviour, the fire tetrahedron and the products of combustion, to name a few. The practical component of the program will test the applicant’s strength, endurance and teamwork skills. Some examples may include: dragging charged hose lines, carrying ladders in a group, climbing the four-story hose tower and cutting up cars in teams using the “Jaws of Life”. More info here: https://www.sd43.bc.ca/careerprograms/experiences
EduTech: Examining AI Tools (UBC VANCOUVER)
The debate continues—is AI helping or harming young learners? At EduTech, we’ll explore the benefits and limitations of AI in STEM education by comparing AI-generated outputs with human-created work. We’ll put AI to the test for efficiency, accuracy, and relevance, and discover where it succeeds—and where it falls short. Then, you’ll design your own AI-powered learning tool tailored to your needs while exploring responsible and critical uses of AI in education.
NOTE: This event will have a separate morning session, 9 am - noon (grades 7-9) and afternoon session, 1-4 pm (grades 10-12) with the same content.
Saturday, November 14th | Cost: $10 Register
Engineering Design Competition: Fall 2026 (UBC VANCOUVER)
The ocean is full of mysteries waiting to be discovered. For thousands of years, humans have engineered vessels to explore our waters, from the earliest boats over 50,000 years ago to today’s advanced ships and submarines. In this engineering design competition, you’ll dive into the world of marine engineering and create innovative solutions for exploring and navigating the seas.
As you design an ocean-going vessel, you’ll also discover that great engineering goes beyond performance. Marine engineers must consider how their designs affect the hydrosphere and the ecosystems that depend on it. Can you engineer a vessel that is both innovative and environmentally responsible?
Saturday, November 21st | 10:00AM – 3:00PM | Cost: $10
This Summer Travel, Work and Improve your French!
Will you be 16 or 17 this summer? Sign up for the YMCA’s Summer Work Student Exchange Program and for six weeks (July 3rd - August 14th) you can:
- Travel to another province and get a chance to improve your French or English skills
- Meet youth on exchange and make new friends
- Get paid work experience during your exchange
- Stay with a local host family
- Enjoy fun group activities exploring your surroundings
- Build on your skills for the future!
Join us for a virtual information session on November 17th at 6:30 PCT to learn more about the program! Register here.
On Friday, November 20th, Minerva BC will be hosting “Career Boost”, an in-person youth career mentorship event in Vancouver!
Entering the working world for the first time as a youth can be an exciting and sometimes overwhelming time of life. This one-day, in-person career mentorship event will help young women and gender-diverse youth aged 15-24 to take their next steps in education and career with greater clarity and confidence. Attendees will hear from inspiring keynotes, participate in career skill-building workshops, and connect with mentors from a variety of fields including STEAM, trades, the arts, and law.
Who: Open to self-identified girls and gender expansive youth aged 15-24
When: Friday, November 20th. 9:30am to 4pm
Where: An office space in Vancouver (exact location shared with registered participants)
To Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985527658676?aff=oddtdtcreator
What skills will matter most in an AI-powered world? What careers will exist in the future? How can you prepare today for opportunities that haven't even been created yet?
The National Campus Recruitment and Early Talent Team is excited to invite secondary school from across Canada to join them for KPMG SPARK, a virtual experience designed to help students explore the future of work, build in-demand skills, and discover how they can make an impact in the years ahead. This year's event will take place on Sat, November 28, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST.
During this interactive virtual experience, attendees will:
- Hear from KPMG leaders on emerging trends shaping the future of work
- Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming industries, careers, and everyday life
- Participate in interactive skills-building workshops designed for students
- Hear real stories and advice from young professionals about their education and career journeys
- Take part in engaging activities, challenges, prizes, and giveaway
Whether you're still exploring your options or already thinking about your future career path, SPARK will help you discover new possibilities, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to make your mark in an ever-changing world.
Register here for KPMG SPARK is now open until November 24.
COMPUTER SECURITY DAY
Nov. 28 & 30 | Various times | Grades 8-12
Science AL!VE is celebrating Computer Security Day this year by bringing you 3 coding workshops and a Q&A session with a Master of Cybersecurity student! Learn more here.
On Saturday, November 28:
- From 9:30 am to 11:30 am, join us for our basic Intro to Python workshop (you'll need to know the basics before you can join us for the next two workshops)
- From 12 pm to 2 pm, learn all about why there are so many rules to picking a password in our Password Cracker workshop
- From 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, finish the day with our Encryption/Decryption workshop and learn how to scramble and unscramble text
On Monday, November 30 (actual Computer Security Day):
From 5 pm to 6 pm, hear from Alyssa Rusk, longtime Science AL!VE instructor and current SFU Master of Cybersecurity student, to learn all about her experience in computing science and cybersecurity. You'll also be able to ask her any burning questions you might have!
Students that attend at least 2/4 sessions will receive a certificate!
This one-day conference is designed to help students succeed in the business world by providing them with an opportunity to meet and interact with like-minded individuals. The high-energy, competitive atmosphere of MiniEnterprize offers an exciting platform for aspiring business leaders to sharpen their critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork skills—preparing them to thrive in the dynamic world of business. Sign up individually or with a school team. More here: https://www.minienterprize.org/registration
When: February 13, 2027
Where: UBC Vancouver Campus, Henry Angus Building (Sauder School of Business)
How to Case Competition: In a condensed timeframe, teams must rapidly analyze the case at hand, identifying key challenges and crafting innovative, tailored solutions. Following this, participants will confidently present their strategic ideas to a panel of seasoned professionals, engaging in insightful Q&A sessions to defend and refine their proposals.
In this four-month animation program for teens, students develop a strong portfolio for post-secondary school applications with the support of industry professionals.
Program Dates: Thursdays, January-May 2027 from 4:30PM-7:30PM
Students ages 15-19 learn the methods, techniques, and technologies used in animation. Industry leaders and guest lecturers will share their knowledge and provide project mentorship as well as technique and skill development. Students have the chance to showcase their work at the end of the program.
The program is offered as a full scholarship thanks to Electronic Arts.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2026 at 8AM. (You have to submit a portfolio. Details here.)
If you are a student in grades 10, 11, or 12 (Secondaire IV, Secondaire V, or Cégep in Quebec), you could win one of 108 scholarships to continue your studies completely or partially in French after high school! In total, $436,000 will be distributed between two categories: French as a first language and French as a second language.
Enter the National Essay Contest for a chance to win a scholarship between $1,000 and $28,000 to study at one of our 16 partnering post-secondary institutions all over the country. It's your chance to invest in your future, en français!
“How to turn failure into success”
In this 750-word essay, written in French, we ask you to reflect on what the theme means to you. Failure can take many forms: an unmet goal, a mistake, a rejection, an experience that simply doesn’t go as planned, and much more. How can we bounce back from failure? What can we learn from it? And what allows us to turn a setback into an opportunity to move forward, grow, or succeed in a different way? There is no right or wrong answer. Everyone experiences and perceives failure differently, so tell us what turning failure into success means to you.
Registrations are open until December 18. NATIONAL ESSAY CONTEST - French for the future
Discovery Foundation’s Discover Your Pitch, presented by JABC, is an exclusive investor pitch competition that is aiming to ignite entrepreneurial spirit in B.C. high school students (grades 9-12).
Students have the exciting opportunity to participate in valuable workshops and practice sessions, taking their business knowledge and presentation skills to the next level. The culminating event sees the top teams pitch their business ideas live to a panel of esteemed business leaders for a chance to win cash prizes.
2027 Program Dates
- Pitch Foundation Workshops 1: March 3, 2027 | 4:00–5:30 PM PT
- Pitch Foundation Workshops 2: March 4, 2027 | 4:00–5:30 PM PT
- 1:1 Pitch Coaching: March 15 – April 9, 2027 (multiple dates/times will be available for sign-up)
- Preliminary Competitions: April 12–23, 2027 (multiple dates/times will be available for sign-up)
- Final Competition: May 27, 2027
Students can register individually or as a team. Read more here: https://jabc.org/programs/dyp/
For participants 16 years and older, Explore sessions are offered during the spring or summer and last between 31 and 33 days. For 13- to 15-year-olds, three-week summer sessions are available. Some virtual Explore sessions are offered for those who are unable to participate in person.
Each Explore participant receives funding to cover key program costs: $4,000 for each participant 16 years and older, and $2,800 for each participant 13 to 15 years old. This funding covers the costs of tuition, instructional materials, meals, and lodging.
To be eligible, students must:
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- meet the Explore institution’s minimum age requirement by the time Explore begins (13–15, 16–17, or 18+); and
- have been a part-time or full-time student for at least one term during the previous or current school year.
Eligible students can submit an online application. If you are eligible and apply by the deadline, you will be entered into a Canada-wide draw. Visit Explore for more information and instructions on how to apply. Deadline is February 2, 2027.
Do you like sports, recreation, events or kids? Train to be a MoreSports BC Youth Leader and volunteer to be a "Key Player" to help kids have fun at After-School Programs, Summer/Spring Break Camps!
The MoreSports Youth Leadership program trains youth in grade 8-12 through a process of leadership identification, engagement and development that supports youth as leaders within their community. Through their school, parks and community partnerships they are able to offer a variety of training experiences with recognized credentials at low or no cost, i.e. Canucks Autism Training, coaching credentials, High 5 certificate.
Youth leaders come from diverse backgrounds and sport experience, but they all share a passion for working with and helping kids. Volunteer hours and activities are tracked and recorded so each participant is provided with the necessary documentation and references required for future opportunities.
Programs usually run at local elementary schools or in community parks.
Read more about the program and sign up to get involved on the MoreSports website. Intake is ongoing.
Are you 13-18 years old and live in Canada? Help protect wildlife, fight climate change, and lead real change for a cleaner, greener future!
Ways to get involved:
- Advocate for sustainable transportation for students
- Host an electronic-waste collection
- Help native species with hands-on activities
- Fundraise for wildlife conservation