Centennial College's Community Program Initiative: HYPE

http://www.centennialcollege.ca/hype

The HYPE (Helping Youth Pursue Education) initiative provides educational opportunities for disengaged youth to build skills through a combination of classroom-based learning and hands-on training.

Approximately 300 students have graduated from HYPE's six-week summer program since 2007, which, in addition to course curriculum, includes resume and cover letter writing workshops, resiliency training, employer recruitment workshops and interview preparation. The program provides an introduction to the post-secondary experience, with courses ranging from mechanics to computer training to hair styling. 150 graduates have gone on to enrol in post-secondary programs, 50 of which have received tuition bursaries to help overcome financial barriers.

The HYPE program is customized and tailored to the needs of those youth who experience various barriers to education. Youth have been involved in shaping the curriculum and many graduates remain involved with the program as mentors to current students.

Centennial College will continue to create opportunities for youth to access experiential and alternative educational opportunities as a partner in the  S.P.O.T Legacy Initiative in Malvern.

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