Build it, weld it, cook it - these and other tangible skills were the theme at Howe Sound Secondary School's (HSSS) "The Skilled Life" trades information night on Wednesday (May 11), when five former HSSS students, who completed the Secondary School Apprenticeship Program, were honoured.
Nolan Cox, Sea to Sky School District trades training co-ordinator, was accompanied by Rodger Hargreaves, youth initiatives manager for Industry Training Authority (ITA), who presented the $1,000 scholarship cheques.
"These are students that have achieved a C+ average on Grade 12 courses, graduated with a Dogwood, taken all their secondary school apprenticeship program courses and then carried on either working at technical school since they finished up, or put in 1,100 hours worth," said Hargreaves.
"I'm really happy to be here to distribute some money to these deserving young people."
The money is provided jointly by the Industry Training Authority and the Ministry of Education.
The recipients were: Bryan Gordon, who has been apprenticing as a floor covering installer with Roman's Flooring; Corey Hurrle, who has been apprenticing as an automotive service technician with Newport Auto; Tyler Kion, who has been apprenticing as an industrial mechanic with AJ Forest Products; Scott Lloyd, who has been apprenticing as a heavy duty equipment technician with Squamish Mills; and Jordan Schnurr, who has been apprenticing as a glazier with First Dimension Glass.
Hargreaves explained the two trade opportunities available to HSSS students.
"We have a work-based training program, which is people actually apprenticing on the job and that's called Secondary School Apprenticeship, and we have a technical training program," he said, gesturing toward the chef training program (ACE IT) students circulating with food for guests to enjoy.
"These programs are joint programs between the Ministry of Education programs and the Industry Training Authority and we have at any given time approximately 4,000 youth apprentices across the province."
Before and after the presentations, possible future automotive mechanics, industrial mechanics, glaziers, heavy-duty technicians, chefs and more explored the booths set up in the multi-purpose room at HSSS.
Eight representatives from local businesses and post-secondary institutions answered questions about their prerequisites, job prospects, salaries, safety and the average work day.
"It's going very, very well," event co-organizer and career programs teacher Linda Firbank said after the presentations.
"It's nice to see the participation and see all the parents and students out. It's very good for us because we love our programs, we're so passionate about them and we want everyone to know what's offered."
Seven post-secondary institutions also attended promoting careers in culinary arts, auto body painting and refinishing, cosmetology, hairdressing and others.
Grade 11 student Nicole Anderson attended with her mother, Anne Anderson, and they spent time speaking with Susan Belting from Aveda Hairdressing.
"It's nice to see some of the different options," said Nicole. "Especially when we still have time to choose."
The woodworking shops were also featured by woodworking teacher Mrs. Vicky Schenk, and other career programs staff were on hand to answer questions about the Secondary School Apprenticeship program, the ACE IT programs, and the Work Experience program.
