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SD28 receives $20,000 to fund students in trades programs

Industry Training Authority has committed $70,000 to the Cariboo-Prince George region
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Observer file photo

Opportunities for students pursuing the trades have been bolstered with money from the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Jason Leber, manager of youth programs for the ITA, said School District 28 is receiving $20,000, part of an overall investment of $70,000-investment earmarked for the Youth Work in Trades Programs in the 2017-2018 school year for the Cariboo-Prince George region.

The funding gives the school district the opportunity to promote trades within the school system, and to offer a dual credit program to high school students.

“The Youth Work in Trades Programs see students in Grades 10 to 12 earn dual credits toward high school graduation while doing the paid work-based training of an apprenticeship.

“Every hour they work is one hour toward their Dogwood,” Leber said, noting 120 hours of work equals one high school course.

SD28’s superintendent of schools Sue-Ellen Miller said the school district uses this kind of funding in a variety of ways to show students what kind of opportunities are available within the trades.

“We’ve created a ‘shoulder tapper’ position, [a counsellor or teacher within the school] who can encourage students to look at trades as a viable option. Alec Borrett works with students to encourage them to connect with local industry, and works to encourage partnerships.

He also goes to the elementary schools and gives intermediate students hands-on experience building things – like a sprinkler system, or a toolbox – to give Grade 6 and 7 students a feel for what it might be like to take some of the technical shop classes in high school. It’s an early exposure to the trades classes.”

Miller said they have a similar program that receives funding to offer career programs in software coding at the high school level, as well as introductions to coding at the elementary level.

The ITA’s Leber credited industry for making the funding program possible, and said while the trend of students pursuing trades was on the decline, it seems to be increasing again.

“We see 32 per cent of participants carry on with the trades,” he added. “It’s important that they get the opportunity.”

Leber also noted that the program helps keep students in the Cariboo after graduation. “It’s also about training youth in jobs in the north to stay in the north. It’s about staying in the community and working for local employers.”

“Craig Kitamura and Alec Borrett really do a lot of work to promote the trades in the schools,” said Miller.

She mentioned they school district is also hoping to promote careers in trades to parents, so they are aware of the opportunities available to their children.