High school apprenticeship program
- Details
- Published on Monday, January 26, 2015
Submitted
Beautiful Plains School Division Board of Trustees
Several years ago, the provincial government realized the need for more tradespeople, as many young people were opting for a different career path. It’s estimated that there will be a need for 15,000 to 20,000 tradespeople in the province of Manitoba in the next few years as the existing tradespeople are aging and retiring. Due to this, the high school apprenticeship program was introduced as an important component of preparing students interested for a future in the trades.
This program allows students who wish to pursue a career in the trades the opportunity to get an early start towards a red seal certification in their chosen trade.
Most students can apply for the program at the age of 16 but some trades require them to be 18 years of age. To be accepted into the apprenticeship program in Beautiful Plains, the student must be in good standing academically as well as show commitment to a trade and understand the work involved.
During the apprenticeship, the student is required to complete all the necessary high school course credits. These credits include Grade 11 and 12 Math, Grade 11 Canadian History, Grade 11 and 12 English and Grade 11 and 12 Physical Education (Healthy Living).
Beautiful Plains has been involved with the program for a number of years but this is the fourth year since actively expanding the program by allocating specific staff to meet the growing need. Currently, Beautiful Plains has 27 students apprenticing in a variety of trades and 12 more with open files interested in the High School Apprenticeship program.
Trades that Beautiful Plains students are or have been engaged in include: agricultural equipment technician, carpenter, plumber, construction electrician, cook, crane and hoisting equipment operator, floor covering installer, heavy duty equipment technician, industrial welder, industrial mechanic (millwright), landscape horticulturist, marine and outdoor power equipment technician, motor vehicle body repairer, motor vehicle technician truck and transport technician, sheet metal worker, and pork production technician.
The success of this program relies on the businesses and trades people of the communities that are willing to accept these students to mentor them and make it a positive experience. For this, BPSD is very thankful to them for their support.
If a career in the trades is of interest to you or if you have a business that is interested in taking a student apprentice, contact your high school for more information.
