High School Students Gear Up for Trade Careers Through Apprenticeship Program

The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is providing high school students in Lakeland with valuable opportunities to learn trades while earning credits towards graduation. This initiative allows students to gain hands-on experience through on-the-job training, positioning them for potential careers in various fields.

According to Nicole Garner, the communications and public relations manager for Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS), students participating in RAP are able to balance their academic responsibilities with practical work experience. “They spend some of their time at school taking other courses that they will need to graduate and some time working in the trade they have chosen,” Garner explained. Many students also complete RAP hours during the summer or outside regular school hours.

Participants in RAP can earn up to 40 credits towards the 100 credits required for a high school diploma. Those interested in the program are encouraged to connect with their school’s Learning Pathways Advisor to explore how to incorporate RAP into their schedules. Garner noted that flexibility is key, as schools assist students in managing their academic commitments while fulfilling RAP requirements.

Finding a workplace willing to accept them as apprentices is another essential step for students. Garner mentioned that while schools often help students secure placements, some students take the initiative to find opportunities independently. RAP offers a wide range of trades, with the most popular choices varying each year based on student interest and local demand. Common trades include electrician, heavy equipment technician, carpentry, and welding.

One of the primary advantages of the RAP is that it allows students to gain early career experience while still in high school. For many, this leads to continued employment with the companies where they completed their apprenticeships. Garner highlighted that several students have nearly completed or finished their first-year apprenticeships while still attending high school. “It also helps them connect early with potential future employers,” she noted.

In addition to gaining work experience, students earn money through their apprenticeships, which can assist in funding post-secondary education. Scholarships are also available for participants in RAP, providing further financial support.

Among the students benefitting from RAP this year is Drew Yackimec, a Grade 12 student at JA Williams High School in Lac La Biche. Yackimec, who is pursuing an apprenticeship in heavy-duty mechanics, shared, “I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to be a mechanic. My dad did the RAP program, and he suggested it to me.”

Yackimec has already accumulated between 1,800 and 1,900 hours towards his trade and plans to start classes at Lakeland College in the upcoming semester. “I was able to fast-track my career,” he expressed. “I’m fortunate that I knew what I wanted to do from a very young age.”

The RAP initiative is not only fostering skilled tradespeople but also enhancing the employability of young individuals by providing them with practical experience and a head start on their career paths.