SHS apprenticeship program proving a positive experience

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: June 28 2021 Strathmore Times

By Lorenzo Gavilan Vargas Times Reporter

Strathmore High School (SHS) students are greatly benefiting from the partnerships made with employers under the registered apprenticeship program (RAP). 

The program is designed for high school students who have already identified their career interests in the trades, and offers them valuable experience and training while still attending high school.

According to SHS Guidance Counsellor Carrie Westgard, the program has been an option at the school for at least 25 years. At the moment, there are six students, all in Grade 12, involved in the RAP.

The companies involved in the program also deserve some praise, said Westgard.

“Hopefully, there’d be a little bit of exposure for the companies as well, especially during COVID, where things have been difficult for so many companies,” she said. “These companies have stepped up and continued the partnership and supported these students in so many ways.”

Randy Sander, service manager at Strathmore Dodge, says the RAP program is special for finding eager students.

“The biggest benefit from my perspective over the years has been how the teachers have already evaluated the students, talked to the students, found out what their interests are,” he said. “It’s a great program that way, because it really is fitting the student into an employment opportunity in an area that is of interest to them.”

One attractive prospect for students is the opportunity to finish school early.

“I can get out of school five months earlier than I normally would and get a head start on my career, and just be ahead of the game, compared to anyone else,” said student Will Barbas, currently employed by Strathmore Dodge. 

Justin Gillis is another student enrolled in the program, who is employed at Magnum Cementing. He has similar thoughts about the RAP.

“I get to miss school to go work, make money for hours toward my apprenticeship, which is amazing. I pretty much just get a head start on everything, which is awesome.”