The Ninth Grade Exploratory Program was established in the technical schools, to help students make informed career choices. Students admitted in the ninth grade cannot be expected to have precise knowledge about career areas. The exploratory program allows students to appraise their individual interest, aptitudes and skills as they systematically sample a variety of technical career areas. Knowledge of these career areas along with an assessment of their personal strengths will enable students to make a realistic choice prior to committing themselves to extensive training in a particular technical area.

PHASE I
All Students spend three days in each of the eleven trade areas. At the end of Phase I students select three trades they would like to experience in greater depth. Students are evaluated during each three day rotation and receive the Phase I Exploratory Assessment Report.

PHASE II
Students are placed in the three shops they have identified, based on Phase I performance, for a longer and more demanding exploratory experience (six days). During each six day rotation, Phase II students are evaluated and receive the Phase II Exploratory Assessment Report. At the end of this phase, parents and students will be invited to the Exploratory Career and Selection Night to meet with trade instructors to discuss:

· Student trade choice
· Student evaluation for Phase I and Phase II
· Three year trade program content, requirements, demands and opportunities.

PHASE III
Students are placed in the trade of their choice (space permitting) and remain there for the remainder of ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade. When there is not space in a trade for all students selecting that trade, placement in the trade is based on scores in the Phase II Exploratory Assessment