What comes after high school can be a bit confusing. Now just imagine how much more confusing it might be for students living in low-income communities.
That’s where Pathways Vancouver and Surrey step in. Through hands-on career programming, they help students reimagine what’s possible. “Being able to expose students to options outside the traditional university path, like the trades, is huge,” says Farrell Greczi, who recently worked with youth at Pathways Surrey.
“We work with such a diverse group of youth, so for many, high school is challenging just because of the rigid structure. It can feel like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.”
One way the team is opening the door to a whole other option for post-high school life is the mentoring trips they offer in partnership with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Each fall, Pathways students get to see real-time training, meet instructors, and connect with advisors. Program staff guide logistics and campus navigation—turning what could feel overwhelming into something familiar and accessible.
For many students, it’s a first seeing a post-secondary institution up close. Seeing that skilled trades can be fulfilling and financially sustainable opens doors they didn’t know existed. The best part is that students can use their Pathways scholarships toward trade-specific training and certifications that lead directly into the workforce.
As Program Director Silvana Guglielmetti explains, “At Pathways Vancouver and Surrey, we organize things intentionally to help students see themselves anywhere they want to go. By making things more familiar, students can see that it’s accessible. It’s the thing that breaks barriers.”
None of this eye-opening work would be possible without your continued support, Kodie.
This article was published by Pathways to Education Canada.
