mother and daughter sitting on couch using sign language

Discovering Resources

The following resources, publications and websites can help you and your youth on this journey.

Career and education planning


Career Discovery Quizzes help youth explore possible careers by taking up to six interactive quizzes and getting personalized results. Discover the careers that fit them best.

Career Trek videos showcase a wide range of careers and the people who work in them across B.C. view a typical day and hear their advice.

WorkBC offers resources to help parents of youth prepare for the transition from school to the work world.

WorkBC’s powerful job search tool is B.C.’s most comprehensive job postings database.

Find out about career exploration, education, training, funding, how to start a business and youth success stories.

The B.C. Ministry of Education’s Career Programs site has information on graduation requirements, special programs for the trades, career information resources, work experience options, financial supports available and a variety of links to other resources that will help students find their career passion and support parents in their role as ally and career coach.

The Ministry of Education’s Graduation Program helps students understand the choices they have leading up to graduation. It includes required courses, exams, scholarships, and career programs for secondary school students planning for a strong future.

The B.C. Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills’ website provides information on public and private post-secondary institutions, as well as information on how to make an informed decision and questions your youth can ask when inquiring about an institution.

EducationPlannerBC provides information on undergraduate programs, costs and admission requirements at B.C.’s post-secondary institutions. EducationPlannerBC offers a variety of tools that allow students to explore, plan and apply to their post-secondary program of choice. EducationPlannerBC is the ideal starting point for anyone looking to access B.C.’s post-secondary system.

The BC Transfer Guide provides information on how courses and programs transfer within B.C. Our province has the most flexible post-secondary system in Canada, and thousands of students move relevant credits each year as they work toward their degree programs. Students can use the BC Transfer Guide to view transfer agreements and determine strategies and tips on how to successfully move from one institution to another.

Visit the Association for Co-operative Education, BC/Yukon for more information and to search a list of available co-op programs at B.C. public post-secondary institutions. Students can also contact their post-secondary education institution directly to get full program details. Co-operative education programs enable students to gain relevant work experience, while employers benefit from students' energy, fresh ideas, knowledge and skills.

StudentAid BC awards non-repayable funds (grants, bursaries and scholarships) and repayable funds (loans) to assist students who don’t have the financial resources to access post-secondary education. The website has information on funding options available, as well as information on applying for, maintaining and repaying student loans.

The Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society administers scholarships and awards for students who transfer from one institution to another, for students who wish to study abroad as part of their post- secondary experience and for Indigenous students.

Labour market information

WorkBC features labour market information about B.C. industries and regions, jobs in demand, ten-year labour market outlook and more.

Skilled trades

SkilledTradesBC oversees B.C.’s industry training and apprenticeship system, helping to provide a skilled workforce for industry and career development opportunities for British Columbians. This site offers a variety of tools, resources, and information on all aspects of apprenticeship and trades careers, education and financial assistance.

The need for skilled tradespeople in B.C. is increasing, along with exciting, well-paid employment opportunities. Learn about the variety of options available in a career in the trades.

Trades Training BC provides information on trades training at B.C. public post-secondary institutions, including information on trades training programs, a trades training seat finder and financial assistance information.

Apprentices and their employers may be eligible to access financial supports in B.C. Learn about the financial supports available.

Information for Indigenous students and parents

Aboriginal Learning Links provides information about choosing and paying for your post-secondary education, as well as information about on-campus services, childcare and housing.

The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills provides information about programs and services for Indigenous students.

BC’s Career Guide for Indigenous People provides information about career planning, employment and training services and resources available for Indigenous job seekers in B.C.

The Career Journeys First Nations Career Role Model Program was developed by the First Nations Education Steering Committee and First Nations Schools Association. It features First Nations role models in a variety of career fields and aims to raise the awareness of First Nations youth and their families about career possibilities, and to show examples of how to navigate education and training pathways to those careers.

The First Nations Health Authority developed the Health Careers Guidebook to provide information to
First Nations students on health careers.

Federal government youth programs and services

Federal government website offers information for young Canadians.

National Educational Association for Disabled Students (NEADS) provides information for students with a disability.

Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE) offers a Guide to Financial Literacy providing information on financial education and capability.

Careers, resources and programs

Federal government website offers access to regional programs.

Careersintrades.ca offers information on the trades.

Canadian Career Development Foundation is a national agency with a variety of resources, books and supports job search.

Find jobs using the federal job bank. Search by using students and youth filters.

CareerOwl is a searchable Canadian job seeker website.

CareerBuilder is a searchable Canadian job seeker website.

Education, training and financing

Skills for Success helps you find ideas on how you can work with teens to develop skills in each of the nine essential skills areas. You can also tie in what youth are doing in school to develop skills for specific careers they may be interested in.

School Finder allows you to search for post-secondary schools in Canada.

Red Seal Program provides information on training and certification in the trades.

Scholarships Canada provides searchable information on scholarships.

Federal financial assistance offers information for post-secondary education.

Federal education savings offers information on grants, bonds, and Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs).

Volunteering

Volunteer information and links to local resources.

Source: Part of this resource was adapted from the WorkBC Parent’s Guide. The original version of this Guide was adapted by Marshall Thompson from A Career Development Resource for Parents (Canada Career Information Partnership, 2006) authored by Mr. Thompson.