*This is part two of a two part blog of Reboot Plus in Newfoundland and Labrador.*
A Strong Fit Within the College of the North Atlantic
The Reboot Plus program and the College of the North Atlantic have a mutually beneficial relationship. From the college’s perspective, the program boosts their enrolment numbers as Reboot Plus Participants are enrolled at the college.
Reboot Plus participants have gone on to take other continuing studies and trades programs at the college further boosting enrollment numbers. Reboot Plus participants have done their research when it comes to choosing a program and, thus, are more likely to stay with the program which boosts the colleges retention and graduation rates.
Reboot Plus participants are sharing positive experiences with their friends which contributes to the college’s recruitment plan. The college involvement with Reboot Plus strengthens their ties with the Bay St. George Chamber of Commerce high schools and community organizations.
From the programs perspective, we get to avail of the facilities, resources, staff expertise and administrative support of the college. Participants get to become students of the college which comes with a number of supports such as access to college resources and staff.
The biggest benefit is exposure to college life with participant’s stating that post secondary seemed “doable” after spending time at the college, meeting instructors and visiting programs. No amount of pen and paper tasks or simulations can replicate the feeling of being part of the college or the sense of belonging one gets from having a college ID card.
The Critical Role of Community Partners
Without the support of the NL Schools, the Chamber of Commerce and community organizations Reboot Plus couldn’t be offered. Most of our applications for Reboot Plus comes from the local high schools and community agencies.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, Reboot Plus is offered in the evenings as a personal development course instead of a high school credit. Sometimes asking youth to give up their free time can be difficult.
Having the local high school and community groups use their existing relationships with youth to promote the program has been very beneficial. These groups along with the Chamber of Commerce have been very helpful with identifying professionals across a variety of occupations to participate in our interviews.
Adapting the Program to Local Needs
The biggest element we have introduced into the program is flexibility. We offer the program to both high school and non-high school students, so it is offered in the evenings. However, our presentations and site visits are dependent on the schedule of the presenters and sites.
At our intake meeting we have a conversation about the need for flexibility. We try to schedule daytime activities during the high school Professional Development days. Weather, work and school can conflict with Reboot Plus classes, so we have make-up classes and online catch-up sessions, so participants don’t feel like they have fallen behind.
We try to schedule group site visits around the participants with the most interests in that occupational or program area but when this isn’t possible, we have done individual visits. Although Reboot Plus is offered in a group session it is by nature an individualized program as each participant will develop a unique education and career action plan. We try to be as flexible as possible when delivering the program content and meeting the individual needs of the participants.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Reboot Plus in Newfoundland and Labrador
I think Reboot Plus definitely need to be a part of our education system for youth. I think Reboot Plus needs to be scheduled years in advance.
Reboot Plus currently qualifies for two Adult Basic Education credits in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are hopeful that it will soon count towards high school credits. Both Adult Basic Education (ABE) and high school require certainty of course offerings when they are developing graduation requirement plans.
Knowing in advance that Reboot Plus would be offered in the next term or year would be very helpful. It would also help with recruitment as we could promote Reboot Plus to younger students for the following year.
It is a great program and very much needed in Newfoundland and Labrador.
A Message to Policy Makers and Funders
I would encourage policy makers to look at Reboot Plus as an investment instead of an expenditure. Short term financial pain for long term financial gain.
There is a cost to offering Reboot Plus but the cost of youth not completing high school or not transitioning into the world of work is far greater. The financial return on investment is clear.
However, I feel that we also have a moral obligation to youth. As a community we need to assist individual youth with finding a path that leads to a happy and productive adulthood. It takes a community to raise a child into adulthood.
Reboot Plus has been helping, and can continue to help, youth find their path.
The Reboot Plus project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre.
Le projet Reboot Plus est financé par le Centre des Compétences futures du gouvernement du Canada.