The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is riding a provincial wave to get more students interested in the skilled trades field.
Staff are actively promoting the highly successful Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
The initiative is a ‘School to Work’ program that opens the door for students to explore and work in apprenticeship occupations through the Cooperative Education program.
Coordinator Brad Bartlett says it was developed under the direction of the Ministry of Training, Labour and Skills Development.
“Schools and staff work with this money and with this budget to build new connections and relationships with communities and also to provide events and other opportunities to promote and support apprenticeship pathways for students across the board.”
Bartlett says to start they are focusing on women in trades, or Indigenous students pursing an apprenticeship.
He encourages students, community leaders and industry to reach out to area high schools to participate in the job experience program.
Tracey Bichon is a Coop teacher at Beaver Brae in Kenora and is the OYAP Learning Lead.
Bichon explains how students can get involved.
“Declare an interest to the guidance office when they do their course selections. They could also speak to one of their mentor teachers in the school. They can also visit their Coop department. Currently right now for example in Quad 2 at Beaver Brae we have 20 OYAP students who are out in a wide variety of apprenticeship placements.”
You can also visit OYAP or KPDSB Pathways
Bichon adds one tool they are using to recruit students is alumni videos.
“They spoke about their experience with the OYAP program and how it helped them to establish themselves in their field and how successful they are. They encouraged others to basically pursue their pathway and follow their dream.”
To hear more from Brad Bartlett and Tracey Bichon, visit the Audio link below:
