Apprenticeship prep program targets under-represented for trades training

An Edmonton-based pilot project that in part helps Aboriginals enter the workforce has been deemed a success.

And officials with the Apprenticeship Prep Pilot Program are hoping the venture will continue in January of 2014.

The program, which is targeted at Aboriginals and immigrants under the age of 30, is a partnership between NorQuest College and the Alberta Pipe Trades College. The goal is to attract, retain and prepare these two target groups for careers in various trades.

“We wanted to focus on the populations in Edmonton most under-represented in the job force,” said Elaine McPhee, NorQuest College’s chair of literacy and essential skills.

The program was launched in January of 2012 when 20 students started upgrading their academic skills at NorQuest College.
Program participants improved their science, math and reading skills as well as their computer literacy and workplace culture over a four-month stretch.

Upon completion of this segment of the program, students were prepared to write their Alberta apprenticeship entrance exam.
McPhee says all of the program participants that wrote the exam passed.

“It was incredibly successful,” she said of the first wave of program participants. “I think it was our most successful program at the college.”

Upon passing the apprenticeship exam, students then entered a 10-week training session run by the Alberta Pipe Trades College.
During this portion of the program they received hands-on experience in welding, plumbing, pipefitting, steamfitting and related trades.

And for those interested in perhaps a different avenue - such as carpentry - other work experience placements were found for them.

Afterwards, program officials assisted the students in finding employment.

One of the project graduates is Sonny Ward, who has a keen interest in welding, and has worked on numerous job sites since completing the pilot program.

Ward has quickly realized experience is one of the best things to acquire. While working alongside a journeyman welder at a site, he was offered some valuable advice: “The more you burn, the more you learn.”

Ward speaks highly of the apprenticeship program.

“As long as you put the work in, you get a lot out of it,” he said. “I have been interested in welding since I was a kid. I like it because it’s always challenging. There’s always a problem to solve.”

Local Union 488 assists program graduates with finding work placements.

“They’re given an opportunity to try different things,” McPhee said. “And the union working with them helps place them in what they think they want to do.”

The second (and final) phase of the pilot project saw 22 students start taking upgrading classes at NorQuest College this past September. Those students are still in the midst of their program.
Though the pilot project is only supposed to run for two phases, McPhee would like to see the program continue.

“We’re hoping to run it again,” she said. “January of 2014 is the intended date for the running of the next program.”