The Sunshine Coast School District (SD46) is the first-time recipient of an award recognizing its apprenticeship program.
The Industry Training Authority (ITA) gives the Youth Work in Trades Performance Award to the school district with the highest number of students enrolled in the program. The award includes $5,000 in funding. Twelve students enrolled in the program.
“By opening the doors of opportunity through the Youth Work in Trades program, I hope young people are inspired by the pathways to a long-lasting, good-paying career in the trades,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, in a release.
“School districts like SD46 and the employers who help connect young people on the Sunshine Coast with the skills they need are adult allies in building up our youth, building the skilled workforce employers need, and building the best B.C.”
The program allows youth to start a paid work-based training component of a skilled trades apprenticeship while in high school, with 80 per cent of their time spent at a work site, and 20 per cent spent in the classroom.
“I have been a teacher with the school district for 30 years. I have always strived to prepare students with skills and experiences that they will use on their career paths,” says Cathy Gordon, district career coordinator, who oversees the program.
ITA is a Crown agency that advocates for and coordinates B.C.’s trades system by working with industry, government and post-secondary institutions to develop trades training, including setting program standards.
The award was given at a ceremony at The Gumboot Restaurant on Tuesday.
