Selling Trades Training to Youth
Thursday, September 20, 2012 @ 12:00 PM
Former CTC student Giovanni Rizzo talks about benefits of CTC program and a career in trades photo-250News
Prince George, B.C. – The looming shortage of skilled labour has sparked a special campaign designed to make young people aware of the opportunities that lie with a career in trades.
“The Trades: It’s a Smart Move” is aimed at high school students, their parents, and those who act as role models for youth. “We hope to drive home the fact that trades provide an excellent career path to high paying jobs and mobility” says the College of New Caledonia’s Director of Communications Randall Heidt.
Students in the Career Technical Centre ( CTC) program offered by School District 57 and CNC, can earn two for one credit in high school and college t the same time. The students graduate with their high school diploma and a CNC Trade certificate in programs such as electrical, carpentry, professional Cook and dental Assisting.
Large posters will be placed in high schools in Prince George, and there is a social media component.
( at right, a sampling of some of the posters that will be placed in schools – photo 250News)
Giovanni Rizzo is a graduate of the CTC program and is now working as a welder at WolfTek Industries in Prince George “The CTC program made it easy for me to find a job” says Giovanni, “ By using the CTC program, I got a leg up on everyone else looking for work. I graduated with my ‘C’ ticket, and I may be able to get a fabricating apprenticeship that will increase my pay.” He says he is happy with the route he took “I like it kind of down and dirty with my work. If I had to do it all over again, there is nothing I would change.”
Earlier this week, Premier Christy Clark was in Prince George to announce funding to upgrade trades training equipment. Skilled trades training completion rates are lower in B.C. than in other parts of Canada. Premier Clark said Tuesday that is something her government will continue to address "We’ve doubled the number of apprentices in British Columbia (since 2004). "Now we have to make sure we’re paying attention to the graduation rate and part of that is listening to industry because industry has some ideas about how we can fix that."
One of the industry ideas on "how we can fix that" is the campaign launched today.
United Steelworkers local 1-424 President Frank Everitt told the gathering at this mornings official announcement that people had previously been saying the trades were not the way to go, that the future of forestry and mining didn’t look good "I’m telling you, the time is now. For the next 10, 15, 20 years, a trades career will give you the kind of money that will make you happy." Everitt says a career in trades, will benefit the region and the Province.
Comments
Throwing 17 million at the colleges and trades schools isnt going to increase the number of apprentices in the province. Its a smoke screen for the liberals and an easy move to make but doesnt actually solve the trade shortage problem. Our government needs to create a program that incourages the major employers in this province to put more apprentices on their payroll. More apprentices in the workforce means more seats filled at the colleges and trade schools which in turn means more income for these places. A financial handout on its own is not the answer to fixing the trade shortage. The CTC program is a great thing I believe as long as employers are willing to keep hiring these young workers.
have to agree, if the person is not tied to an employer you take this training thinking you get a job only to find out the C tickit in welding is really not you need the hours then apply for the certification.For many is just big investment in time and money to just end up disappointed.
However…..if you CAN find someone or some company willing to take you on as an apprentice then having a trade ticket is excellent. Even if you choose to do something else for a while, you’ll always have something to fall back on if it doesn’t work out….
When I was in high school, the only thing the guidance counsellors seemed to be pushing was heading off to college or university. Well I didn’t go that route and I wasn’t all that interested in becoming a lawyer or scientist anyway so it was off to the mills where I recieved my apprenticeship and completed my trades ticket. The only MAJOR drawback to that route is that you might have to deal with unions who want members with seniority to get all the apprenticeships…which would be fine IF they didn’t hand out apprenticeships to 58 year old folks looking to retire in a few years anyway….
I don’t have a problem with people getting an apprenticeship through seniority but there has to be some common sense attatched to it as well.
However….age discrimination would suck too…..no easy answer…..
Hmmm…this post turned into kinda a ramble. Sorry ’bout that folks.
Your all a bunch of A-holes!
Read the story…..this has nothing to do with the government. Several companies got together and supported this campaign to help kids feel better about their choice to go into the trades.
Get a life.
Maybe you should read suxmalone, trades is all about government! Where do you think the money comes from, Industry? Even the ctc program is government funded. Along with tracking how many ctc students actually become journeyman maybe they should track how many ctc students actually get jobs. Industry can complain about trades shortage all they like and who’s fault is that? Maybe ask Industry how many ctc students or appremtices have they indentured lately?
Hey Sox, can’t you read? “Earlier this week, Premier Christy Clark was in Prince George to announce funding to upgrade trades training equipment.”
Problem is that the government hands out money for capital upgrades, but not for operational requirements. IOW, dough for stuff without the dough to actually staff the programs with teachers in the classes and shops.
However, I understand that some major companies and unions have stepped up to the plate to offer some funding to he CTC program. Good on ’em and good for our students; the CTC program is the veritable goose that lays the golden egg.
Way to go Giovanni :)
The CTC program at CNC is one of the best ways for young people to get involved in a trade before they drop out of high school. The courses they take and the practical stuff they learn is more directed to the trades they are working in.
No sense wasting time in algebra if you will never us it in your trade. Basic math is something everyone will need and use. So, lets use some common sense when it comes to this stuff.
I know someone who now has 8 years experience and an A welding ticket because of the CTC program. Before CTC, his teachers had a teaching disability.
Once our educators realize that there are more than one way to teach our children, there is no limit of their capabilities. The limits are with the teacher.
“The CTC program at CNC is one of the best ways for young people to get involved in a trade before they drop out of high school.”
I agree that the ctc program at Cnc is good but it’s no place to be if you are going to fail high school. If you aren’t doing well in high school you won’t do well in a CTC program.
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