High School Apprenticeship Programs Receive a Boost
Prince George, B.C. – The provincial government has expanded its investment in high school apprenticeship programs.
Forty-five school districts throughout the province will each receive funding of between $20,000 and $40,000 for the Youth Work in Trades program to boost trades training for youth. $30,000 has been earmarked for the Prince George School District.
Victoria, through the Industry Training Authority, is investing a total of $1.18 million.
Youth Work in Trades is a dual credit program that provides an opportunity for B.C. students in grades 10-12 to begin their apprenticeships. The money supports school districts in placing students with local employers to attain practical experience.
Students will earn a paycheque while gaining credit toward their high school diploma and the apprenticeship portion of their trades training.
The province says the funding helps support the goals of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint which aims to prepare students for a successful career in skilled trades.
Prince George School Board chair Tony Cable was pleased to hear some extra dollars are headed this way.
“It’s definitely a goal of our district and many districts to take some of that apprenticeship and carpentry and welding courses when students are in high school,” he said. “It is very important and any extra funding is much appreciated.”
Comments
I have two kids that went to the first of these programs many years ago at cnc. They were the best! Back then it gave them one year of a trade at cnc by the time they graduated from grade 12. They started in grade 11 and completed the classes in grade 12. The tuition was free and all we paid was the books.
Sounds like changes have been made since then. It would be nice to see students graduate from grade 12 with a trade.
The province is showing faith and trust in our young people and our schools to help prepare them for a future in the trades. The more money aimed at these kind of programs the more our youth can take advantage of them. I’m sure the parents are appreciating it as well.
CTC is an excellent program. Instead of the kids taking useless courses in high school they take the critical basics and then courses at the college. They are well on their way once they graduate and many are already working once they graduate high school.
The program needs more publicity. The kids need to apply in Grade 10 and most kids and/or parents aren’t looking at careers that early. By the time they realize the program is there it’s too late.
Hopefully at some point they will offer a wider array of courses, similar to some of the other school districts in the province.
?This plan is great but will you have the employers o participate ?
Cheers
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