Students Turn Training Into Careers

L to R: Nick Peters, Jeremy Deschamps, and Rowan Wood has been presented with the $1,000 Youth Work in Trades Award

It’s a way to train for a trade apprenticeship, while still in high school.

School District 22’s Youth Work in Trades Program allows students to earn credits towards their high school diploma, log 480 training hours toward their trade credential, and have the potential to win a $1,000 award.

Nick Peters, Jeremy Deschamps, Rowan Wood and Ian Augustin didn’t know what to expect when they first started the program, but through the encouragement of School District 22 Career Coordinators, the young men found their passion, and careers

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Peters had aspirations of becoming a heavy duty mechanic or auto service technician in grades 9 and 10, but as time went on, he realized that wasn’t the trade he wanted to build a career in.

“Working with the career coordinator at my school was a great experience and so helpful,” says Peters who took his trades training in plumbing and has already had a lot of great opportunities.

He is currently working for Fox & Sons Plumbing with a goal of attaining his required hours and ticket.

Jeremy Leary decided to focus on the trade of welding after spending a couple summers welding with his uncle.

When presented with the idea of the dual credit training, Leary thought it was a great opportunity to do something he’d always enjoyed doing, so he jumped on it.

His plans include finishing off the last level of his apprenticeship, continue progressing in the trade and eventually becoming a millwright.

Rowan Wood didn’t put a lot of thought into his career after graduating. It was actually during some extra curricular activities where he met someone who introduced him to framing.

With that introduction, Wood joined the Youth Work in Trades Program and started on his journey as a framer.

When asked what his advice to others would be: “Start thinking about a career in trades early. There are so many great job opportunities.”

The three started in the Youth Train in Trades program where they took Level 1 technical training in their chosen trade at Okanagan College, with their tuition paid for by School District 22 (with funding from the Industry Training Authority and Ministry of Education).

They then continued on in the Youth Work in Trades program where they secured employment and received practical training in their apprenticeships.

The trio was presented with the $1000 Youth Work in Trades Award Thursday, sponsored by the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Augustin was unable to attend the presentation as he is working in his field of carpentry on Vancouver Island.

(Article submitted by School District 22)