Journeymen wanted for apprenticeship program

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Apprenticeships can be a vital stepping-stone for young people to enter their career of choice – but businesses are needed to provide the opportunity.

Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools is seeking professional journeymen for its registered apprenticeship program (RAP), which provides students an integrated learning experience in their trade of choice. The program is offered in each of CTR’s high schools, including Strathmore’s Holy Cross Collegiate (HCC).

The program gives full-time students in Grade 10, 11 and 12 an opportunity to gain applied experience in a trade they are passionate about, explained Art Hanson, HCC vice-principal and the school’s RAP coordinator. 

“It’s a good fit for the employers, and it’s good for the students,” he said.

Another benefit of the program is that participating students may also be eligible for scholarships to pursue post-secondary education, he said.

There are typically over 50 different trades from which students can choose.

“If there’s a specific trade they’re interested in, we can hopefully find a partnership with an employer and, through our school, get these students starting on that path,” said Hanson.

The school helps builds a flexible schedule for the student so they can keep striving towards their high school diploma while they work mornings or afternoons. 

There is a benefit of the program to the businesses, too. Beyond developing a relationship with a prospective employee, each participating business is eligible for cash incentives to offset expenses of engaging in the program.

There are three funding options, ranging in the amount of time commitment an employer provides between Sept. 1 and May 30 of each year, on either a part time or full time basis. All hours must be completed within 16 weeks of the internship start date.

Interested potential employers may contact HCC for more information on the program.

“Hopefully, this incentive that the government is providing can help entice more businesses to provide opportunities to students,” said Hanson.