Stettler’s Wm. E Hay Secondary Campus, Castor’s Gus Wetter School, and Coronation School are each giving students the opportunity to get a head start in the trades.
The schools offer the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), which allows high school students to get an early start toward their Journeyman ticket in the trades, as well as work toward their high school diploma.
Grade 11 RAP participant Koen Hagel has been working at Allied Vessel Fabrication during the 2022-23 school year and feels that the program has been a great experience.
“The RAP program is a great option to have as it allows you to get hands-on experience and gives you a step ahead when you’re done high school,” said Hagel, via a recent Clearview Public Schools media release.
“My goal is to pursue a dual trade ticket and because of RAP I will be well on my way to getting it!”.
Students in RAP both work towards school full-time and are registered apprentices, dividing their time between the books and approved work site.
Over the course of a school year, students can pick up a maximum of 40 credits and 1,000 hours of work experience towards their journeyman ticket; students receive one credit for every 25 hours worked.
Community employers offering apprenticeship placements have been very flexible with working arrangements for students; depending on the individual employer and student needs, schedules established include students working for a semester, going to school for a semester; working a half-day, going to school for a half-day; working during the summer and holidays while going to school during the regular term; or going to school one or two days a week and working the rest.
“It’s a win-win situation!” says Jordan Verhoeven, a Grade 11 student and RAP participant, currently working at FlareTech.
“You get out of regular classes and work towards your Journeyman while still in high school, which cuts down on your time after graduation. It also helps you make sure that it’s the field you want to go into. The apprenticeship program I have enrolled in is welding. I have learnt how to down-hand weld better, how to stay steadier and step my welds better.”
Students interested in RAP need only contact one of the school coordinators. Discussions between the student and coordinator will be held to help chose a trade of interest, find a matching employer and get the necessary paperwork started.
While RAP students are part of the program as part of the school curriculum, while at the apprenticeship job-site they are considered regular employees. As such, they are expected to spend their time on the job learning the associated skills from their employers. As an apprentice employee, employers pay the students, provide flexibility in work hours and training, fill out the student’s record book and stay in contact with the school.
For more information about the RAP program, contact any of the three schools.