New Youth Apprenticeship Program Boosts Skilled Trades
Young Nova Scotians who are interested in careers in the skilled trades can start their training sooner through a new youth apprenticeship option announced today, Nov. 22, at Queen Elizabeth High School in Halifax.
The new, provincewide initiative, called Workit, will help 16- to 19-year-olds explore careers in the skilled trades, and begin working toward their apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship involves practical, paid training and theoretical education, which is offered online or in the classroom. Youth apprentices can choose from 55 designated trades, including power engineer, boat builder, construction electrician, stone mason and baker.
"There are many exciting career options for youth here in Nova Scotia," said Jamie Muir, Minister of Education. "There are many vacancies now, and there will be thousands of job openings in the skilled trades in the next decade and beyond, so we're encouraging young Nova Scotians with an interest in the trades to begin their training early."
The Workit initiative helps young people choose occupations in the skilled trades and teaches them more about the benefits of apprenticeship training. The next step is to help youths connect with employers so the young people can begin building hours toward their apprenticeship.
Workit will target high school students, as well as out-of-school youths. High-school students will be encouraged to work toward their apprenticeship outside of school hours while completing their diploma.
"In the last few years, I've had more and more students asking to be placed in the skilled trades," said John Cochrane, co-op co-ordinator, Queen Elizabeth High School. "I have students this year who are being placed as welders, electricians, cooks, and I even have one young person exploring the boat-building trade. Students have heard that there are good job opportunities in the skilled trades."
Out-of-school youth can take part in work placement opportunities through community organizations and career resource centres. For these youths, apprenticeship represents a training option that can lead to high school completion and a lucrative career in the trades.
"The opportunity to earn money while you're training for your career and finishing high school is really helpful," said Mitch Blanchard, a youth apprentice in the heavy duty equipment technician trade. "It's amazing that I've been able to start preparing for the workforce this early and that I'll be earning a good salary as a certified journeyperson that much sooner."
The Department of Education will promote Workit across the province in upcoming months. Online information for youth apprentices, parents and educators is available at www.workitns.ca . The new initiative will also be promoted through advertising and an in-school poster campaign targeting youths and their parents.
Workit is part of the province's Skills Nova Scotia initiative, dedicated to building Nova Scotia's skilled workforce by providing education and training opportunities. Under the Skills Nova Scotia agenda, the Department of Education recently introduced its Career Guide for Grade 9 students, which contains career tips, course planning guidelines and information about job trends, Nova Scotia employers and more.