The Seaside Centre, a place built by volunteer master craftsmen from the Timber Framers Guild, was the location for a special graduation last month.
At the casual affair on July 24, 11 students of the accelerated entry into the trades (ACE-IT) carpentry program were honoured for their achievement of level one certification in carpentry trades.
"Graduating today is the first step. There's a whole world of technical training to develop your skills," said Fred MacDonald, dean of trades at Vancouver Island University.
MacDonald spoke about the achievement of the program in its second year here on the south Coast.
"There has been fabulous success because of school board interest and Habitat [for Humanity] access," he said.
In order for students to earn their level one, they have to participate in the actual framing of a house, making their partnership with Habitat for Humanity a crucial element for program completion and offering a much-needed helping hand to Habitat, that relies on volunteers to build homes.
"What you are doing is building a home on the Coast for a family who cannot afford it. They will know the value of having a home because you framed it," Habitat board chair Charlie Russel told students at the ceremony.
Poul Jakobsen, the instructor who dealt most closely with the students, spoke about the challenges of working with teens and joked that they went through more pencils, 300 plus, than the rest of the district. He likened teaching his students to being a parent.
"When they have success, you have success. When they have failure, you have failure," he said. "Keep at it. You'll get success. Just keep at it."
Holly Ryan, 19, is the first female to complete the program that runs February through July. She thinks trades and ACE-IT specifically should be promoted more among young women who are looking for something different to do.
MacDonald said ACE-IT averages about one female student a year at each of their four campuses and offers another option to students who are disillusioned with the academic system.
Jessie Magee-Chalmers, chair for the program, oversees quality, safety and certification for the students with periodic visits to the campus. He said, "These students are miles ahead. Employers are jumping on them as soon as they come out."
Paul Bishop, principal for apprenticeships and distributed learning, said the trades program that currently offers carpentry and culinary arts is aimed at Grade 12 students, though some Grade 11 students are considered. Previous experience, academic prerequisites, reference from a school counsellor plus reading and mathematical assessments done by VIU occur before a student is accepted.
"ACE-IT programs are developing all over the province and include apprenticeships in a wide variety of trades," Bishop said. "The school district has placed a high priority on these programs and looks forward to developing more programs in conjunction with business and industry on the Coast."
Students interested in participating in an ACE-IT trade program should speak to their school counsellor early in the fall as information sessions and the application process all happen in October.
