Youth Reboot Plus Program
Reboot Plus Program – Helping Youth Explore Career Paths
The Surrey Board of Trade is pleased to be a part of the Reboot Plus Program. Our goal is to help young people explore and develop career paths. The Reboot Plus Program is looking for professionals willing to give 30 – 60 minutes of their time to provide career insights and ideas to young people so that they can explore and develop their career plans.
This innovative program is designed for youth 17 to 24 who have not finished or are not on track to graduate high school. This first-of-its-kind program in Canada will help these youth re-engage in both education and career development.
How You Can Participate. We need business professionals to volunteer for informational interviews
Among other things, the program looks to connect student participants with business professionals to have an informational interview where they can ask questions and explore what different businesses and careers are really like.
The meetings will last for 30 to 60 minutes, and the student will help guide the discussion to help them learn about different career paths they may wish to pursue. Following the interview, the Program Team will follow-up with the professional to obtain any feedback you may have on the youth participant and on the process.
Where possible, the Program hopes that professionals will encourage other contacts in your network to participate in the project, or potentially refer the student directly to others who can provide further informational interviews. Ideally, each interview will lead to at least two further contacts per participant.
Want to Help Out? Want More Information?
Contact:
Kapil Sharma
Email: kapil@businessinsurrey.com
Phone: 604-634-0341
Reboot Plus is Helping Youth Find Community and Connect to Education in a New Way
Reboot Plus Research Report – Sept. 2024
To find out about the impact and results of the Reboot Plus program so far, please see the recently released Reboot Plus Expansion Interim Report.
This interim report, researched and published by Blueprint on behalf of the Future Skills Centre presents early findings from Reboot Plus, a program designed to reengage at-risk youth (aged 17 to 24) in education and career development by providing them with training and exposure to post-secondary education (PSE) and the world of work. The project also aims to raise employer awareness of and willingness to engage and employ this demographic.
Student Testimonials For Reboot Plus
A Student’s Journey to Knowing Their Self
The biggest benefit of the Reboot Plus program is the confidence it gave me.
A Lucky Encounter
I found out about the Reboot Plus program through a family friend who has connections with the program. I wasn’t in a great place. I didn’t have any aspirations or goals. I figured it was worth a try. I heard the program would help me learn more about myself: my personality, skills, and strengths to help me find a meaningful direction to move in. And, it was offered at Douglas College, not at my high school.
A Lack of School Connection
I have always struggled in school environments. There are many aspects that I find challenging. I have anxiety and depression which has caused me to miss a lot of classes. I feel like I didn’t have a good relationship with my teachers because of this. I feel that they didn’t understand what I needed and ruled me out as a bad kid who skips class. I’ve always been the shy kid because I’ve always been so uncertain of myself. The only part of school that I enjoyed was the social aspect; if I didn’t have my friends, I don’t know how I would have gotten through it.
A Different Environment
The Reboot Plus classroom is so different from normal school. It was such a calm, laidback and chill environment. The teachers care so much about their students and our well-being. I could feel it in the way they taught and talked to us. It’s a nice energy that I haven’t experienced from other teachers. They make accommodations if needed to ensure that we get what we need from the program. They are so patient with us.
A Chance to Thrive
This program helped me gain confidence that I could do what I wanted and that I wasn’t alone. It showed me that there were other kids like me. I felt understood and it was a good feeling. I really enjoyed digging into my likes and dislikes and my personality types. I really like learning and trying to fully understand myself; the activities in the program were very useful in helping me know myself more. Attending classes at the Douglas College campus helped me realize that college and university is not as intimidating as I thought it would be.
Meeting the Mentor
The program requires us to do informational interviews with 4-7 professionals in careers of our interest to help us narrow down our career options. I was able to interview an energy healer. She was one of the coolest people I’ve ever met, and we had a really good one-on-one talk about my interests within the spiritual community. I never thought I would be able to work in or find success in a career of energy healing, but she proved I could because she had done it herself. It was very cool.
Transformation
Throughout the program I grew more and more confident in the idea that I can go to college and be successful. This is my goal now: go to college, be independent and find a career. It may seem mundane, but this is something I never thought I would do. My future is still more or less a big question mark, but that’s ok with me now. The program helped me plan my next steps and realize that I don’t need to have a specific end goal in mind. I can figure it out as I go.
I know now that I can be happy and I’m able to live a normal young adult life.
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.
“One conversation can change someone’s life. It did for me.”
Informational interviews provide inspiration for students and professionals alike
Aanchal Dhir Asset Manager and Career and Business Coach said she believes that one conversation with professionals could change a student’s life and impact their future decisions.
Aanchal is an Asset Manager for a Real Estate Family office. In her spare time, she founded Career Connect, an online business that connects jobseekers to expert career coaches. She has provided informational interviews to students of the Reboot Plus program. Designed for youth 17 to 24 who have not finished or are not on track to graduate high school, this program connects student participants with business professionals to have informational interviews with 4 – 7 professionals. This gives students opportunity to ask questions and explore what different businesses and careers are really like.
3 Reasons Why I am Participating in Informational Interviews with Youth
“I love sharing knowledge and information with those around me and this was the perfect platform to do so. My business connects jobseekers to expert career coaches; informational interviews is a service we provide daily. Actively speaking to professionals and working in an environment that you assume to be interesting is much more different than just reading about it. Taking the time to pursue these opportunities to job shadow or intern are remarkably eye-opening and can help shape your future. I see first-hand how impactful these sessions can be.
1. My Shared Experiences Help Youth See the Right Path
“In high school I was determined to become a pediatrician as I love kids and have always wanted to help them in one way or another. Through my networks, I was able to job shadow the Chief Pediatrician at a local hospital. I spent the day seeing the harsh reality of this work helping sick kids on a daily basis. I saw newborn babies in incubators and my heart broke. During my job shadowing, an emergency arose, and I got to see firsthand how a pediatrician has to respond. It was an eye-opening experience and it really pushed me to reflect on my choice.
“Later, I job shadowed in another, very different role in public markets in finance. I thoroughly enjoyed the analytical aspect of this work along with the fast-paced environment and the research that could be conducted. Through this experience I then deviated from my career choice, enrolled in more business classes in high school and ended up applying to the Sauder School of Business at UBC where I graduated with Honors in Finance in 2011. I now have a Masters in Finance from the University of Cambridge.
2. As a Professional, I Learn from Youth
“One of the students asked me “What do you dislike most about your job? Usually, we receive questions on the more positive spectrum, but this question really pushed me to reflect on what I currently dislike and what I can do to improve.” My answer was “As I work remotely at the moment, it becomes very difficult for me to monitor the progress of our farms and development projects. I therefore am not on top of the pulse of our real estate assets at times and I dislike the uncertainty.” I took this answer back to my work and from that point on wards have created a system to proactively remove the uncertainties I have been encountering. I love how curious the students are and how open they are hearing to the good and bad.”
“The youth of today are incredibly more curious and focus on following their passions. This is a great shift in the mentality of the generation, and I have shifted my thinking to also be more curious in my role today.
3. I Enjoy Inspiring Youth
“If you work hard and commit to what your passion is, there are always opportunities for you to thrive in the real world. Never give up. Do not let anyone tell you that you are not capable of success. You can do anything and everything if you dedicate yourself to accomplishing your goals.
I Invite Other Professionals to Participate
“The Reboot Plus Program is giving the necessary insights to the youth of tomorrow about the potential career opportunities that are in front of them. One conversation with one professional could change these student’s life and impact their future decisions. I highly recommend being involved; the impact is priceless.”
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.
Five Reasons Why Professionals Should Provide Informational Interviews for Youth
If you could change the life of a youth in as little as 30-60 minutes, would you?
For Ram Sundar, the answer is yes. A man of many talents: a Professional Engineer, a published author, business owner, and a body language coach, Sundar was driven to give youth an opportunity he wished were available to his younger self.
Be The Mentor You Needed
“I, unfortunately, did not have a mentor and was not exposed to informational interviews. I found myself, a graduate from a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, facing difficulty finding work. In addition to facing a recession while living in Detroit, Michigan, I lacked guidance. With mounting loans and no prospects, I was required to return to India to start again. There, I decided to be my own mentor and made a list of everything that I needed to work on and improve myself professionally and personally. I now have the chance to give youth guidance at the time in their lives they need it to better prepare for their future.
Share What You’ve Learned Along the Way
There is a big disconnect between academia and industry. I learned that universities or colleges are not intended to teach you everything you need to know about industry. Rather, they lay a foundation to open one’s mind to lifelong learning. A program, like Reboot Plus, helps bridge the gap between academia and the corporate world. It provides youth a chance to know themselves more deeply, while helping them polish their work-related skills. It also provides them connections through the networking opportunities provided.
Help Students See the Bigger Picture
I like to work with the end goal in mind. Doing so allows me to examine the steps that are required to attain this goal and to examine related facets along the way. When I’m faced with difficulties or interruptions along the way, I can fall back on the structure that I’ve set out for myself, while appreciating the journey towards my intention.
As students of the Reboot Plus program are exploring their interests and abilities, I encourage them to look at the big picture. High school is a step towards a bigger goal; a platform that can help a student step into post-secondary education or life outside of high school. Finding what motivates students helps them set goals and see beyond their current environment.
Be Inspired by Youth
Reboot Plus program has been enriching and inspirational to me, and I am always excited to speak to the students. I certainly recommend other professionals contribute to the success of this program. The students I have met ask very intelligent and insightful questions. They are not afraid to talk about pressing issues in the corporate culture and challenge the way in which I see the world.
Share Your Journey
I have been fortunate in my career journey. I have lived in 5 countries – the US, Netherlands, India, Singapore, and, finally, Canada. I have worked in the Space Program, the high-tech industry, robotics, semiconductor industry, automation, and more. I have a black belt in Six Sigma and LEAN Six Sigma. I am also a business growth specialist, helping business owners improve their revenues. I chair a mastermind group of business owners in Toronto, called Business Round Table. I have enjoyed this meandering journey and continue to set goals as I grow professionally.”
The Reboot Plus program is designed for youth 17 to 24 who have not finished or are not on track to graduate high school. This first-of-its-kind program in Canada helps youth re-engage in both education and career development. The program connects student participants with business professionals to have an informational interview where they can ask questions and explore what different businesses and careers are really like.
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.
SURREY EDUCATION NEWS: Innovative High School Completion and Career Re-engagement Program Announced for Surrey
Surrey has joined with other Metro Vancouver municipalities in offering an alternative path to students who are not on track to graduate from high school. Launched in 2019 in Burnaby, New Westminster and Maple Ridge, the Reboot Plus program recruits students identified by teachers and counsellors as unlikely to graduate and works to re-engage them in education and skills development by supporting them to explore their interests and abilities and matching careers. During the first year, 15+ Surrey-based students will be chosen to take part.
“The Surrey Board of Trade is honoured to participate in the Reboot Plus program, as part of our workforce development portfolio. This results-driven project will link at-risk youth with employers who need skilled employees and are actively embracing strategies to better support youth at risk,” says Anita Huberman, President & CEO, Surrey Board of Trade.
Students enrolled in the program become students at Douglas College (they receive student cards and have full access to the college). The program provides specific training and skills development through workshops and classroom activities, while also matching each student with four to seven professionals working in careers of interest identified by the students. To date, more than 60 students from other municipalities have joined the program and nearly 200 professionals, ranging from auto mechanics to health care workers, to game designers, to engineers, have volunteered their time.
The goal of the program is to support these youth to explore and develop a comprehensive and meaningful education and career action plan. Through workshops at Douglas College, and research and consultations with employers and professionals, students develop a clear vision of what education and other steps are required to achieve their career goals.
The program is a project of the Douglas College Training Group, Surrey Board of Trade and PEERS Employment and Education Resources and is funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre. The project is also a research project and is one of 30 such projects across the country funded by FSC to test approaches and training interventions that prepare Canadians for the workforce.
The Reboot Plus project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre.
For more information:
Anita Huberman, President & CEO
anita@businessinsurrey.com
604.634.0342
Future Skills Centre: Launches First Impact Report
The world is changing at an unprecedented rate. Canada needs skills innovation that can respond to these changes and build prosperity for all.
We are pleased to bring you this report and showcase some of the impact we have had, alongside our incredible partners, on the skills development ecosystem over the past few years.
London Morning with Rebecca Zandbergen
Fanshawe College’s Director of Employment and Student Entrepreneurial Services Darlene O’Neil tells London Morning about a new program on campus designed to help Grade 12 students stay on track. Hear the live interview with CBC in London, Ontario.
