Youth Foundations Programs

What are Foundations Programs?

Our youth foundations programs provide high-school students with an opportunity to explore post-secondary education and career pathways while earning high school CTS and/or work experience credits.

Through hands-on, practical and workplace-oriented learning activities, students are introduced to fundamental principles, practices and standards relating to a subject area they are interested in, making learning more meaningful and relevant.

In most cases, students commute to the SAIT campus one or more times a week during the school day to learn from our industry-trained instructors and get hands-on in our tech-enriched classrooms and labs. Participants receive a SAIT ID number as well as a permanent SAIT transcript. The students experience post-secondary life, familiarizing themselves with campus and its services, which builds their confidence when making the transition to post-secondary education or work once they graduate.

SAIT youth foundations programs are offered at no direct cost to students and their families.

Elibigility

There are no formal prerequisites for youth foundations programs. However, various programs may require certain skills in order to be successful (for example, psychomotor skills, interpersonal skills and/or math skills). Some of our programs are open for students in Grade 10, while others require students to be in Grade 11 or 12. An interest in the subject matter and a desire to possibly pursue a career in the related industry are also key to student success.

Students must be able to accommodate the youth foundations courses into their current school schedules and be ready to commit to the program for its entire duration, which is usually one semester.

For students who meet the youth foundations program requirements, eligibility to apply is ultimately determined by the school board partner.

How to apply

The selection of high school students for youth foundations programs is determined by each school board. School boards will take into account different criteria, such as attendance, ability to commit to the program, and whether the student is on track to complete any other classes.

School boards will provide prospective high school students with deadlines for program application and registration. Once selected by the school board, students will need to register for the youth foundations program with SAIT.

Students who have successfully been selected to participate in youth foundations studies will receive detailed information about the registration and orientation processes.