In his late 30s, Andrew Devlin was nervous about his decision to go back to school.
But when he began his academic journey with the School District 42 Continuing Education program, he said he knew he had found courses that worked for him.
“All of my teachers were excellent and offered me all the help I needed,” he said. “I felt comfortable going into my classes as an older student.”
Devlin’s journey back to school was circuitous.
At the time he decided to enroll in the Continuing Education program, he said he was an unemployed recovering alcoholic “who was going nowhere in life.” When he decided to make some changes, he took a career test that indicated that the electrical trades would be the right fit for him.
But without a high school diploma and the required math and physics courses, getting his ticket would have been impossible if not for the Continuing Education program.
“They helped me figure out what courses I needed to take to be able to study for my future goals,” he said. “All of my teachers were excellent and offered me all the help I needed.”
Fast-forward a few years and Devlin is about to complete his fourth year of electrical education and is now a Red Seal Journeymen Electrician. The 46-year-old Burnaby resident is also looking at upgrading his credentials with additional courses that will prepare him for his field safety representative (FSR) test.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the SD42 Continuing Education program and all the teachers that helped me along the way,” Devlin said. “My experience was great.”
• Registration for the Continuing Education program launches on December 6. Register online (https://ce.sd42.ca/courseselection/) or by appointment (604-466-6555 ext. 1).