Exciting New Academies are Coming Soon to Cariboo Hill

Cariboo Hill Secondary is adding five new academies for Burnaby students. Starting in the Fall of 2018, Cariboo Hill will offer a DigiPen Gaming Academy, a Palo Alto Cyber Security Academy, and Microsoft Office Specialist Certification. Lacrosse and volleyball academies will also be offered, making Cariboo Hill a new hub for personalised learning.

DigiPen Gaming Academy: Giving Burnaby Students an Edge in the Burgeoning Gaming Industry

Metro Vancouver has become an international hotspot for the gaming industry. Electronic Arts has its Canadian headquarters in Burnaby and there are more than one hundred independent gaming companies in the Lower Mainland. The local industry is growing and Metro Vancouver’s scenery, climate, and recreation options attract top talent. But despite skilled workers coming to the Lower Mainland, there is a predicted labour shortage in this field, with salaries higher than average for BC. The DigiPen Gaming Academy will prepare students for a potentially lucrative and satisfying career in gaming design. The Academy will cover courses in computer science, animation, and sound design, and is open to students from grades 8 to 12.

Palo Alto Cyber Academy: Preparing Burnaby Students for Careers Fighting Cybercrime

Cybercrime has been described by Warren Buffet as one of the biggest threats to humanity. Not a day goes by without a report of a data breach at a large corporation or government department. With our lives spent increasingly online, cybercrime is growing. More cybersecurity technicians are needed, with a prediction of 1.5 million job openings worldwide. Palo Alto Networks is a leader in cybersecurity and its Academy at Cariboo Hill Secondary will arm students with the specialised knowledge they will need to enter this field. Courses will focus on network security skills including firewall installation, anti-virus software, and zero-day vulnerabilities, and successful completion will result in cyber security technician certification. The Academy is open to students in grades 11 and 12.

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification Will Open Doors for Burnaby Students

Proficiency in Microsoft Office is one of the top three skills required in today’s labour market. But it’s difficult to objectively measure proficiency without an industry standard, which is where the MOS certification program comes in. Once courses are successfully completed, students will earn an accreditation that is acknowledged and respected worldwide. This Academy is open to students in grades 8 to 12.

New Sports Academies Encourage Excellence in Students

Cariboo Hill’s new Volleyball Academy is being offered in partnership with Volleyball Canada and will enable athletes to reach their academic goals while pursuing excellence in their sport. Along with top level coaching and competition, the Academy will offer training in nutrition, sports psychology, and strategy. The Lacrosse Academy, in partnership with SFU, will combine technical skills development on the field, with in-classroom instruction in nutrition, game analysis, and more, along with academics.

Whether the focus is on technology or sports, the new academies at Cariboo Hill will ensure a personalised learning environment for Burnaby’s students!