High School Students Gain Hands-On Experience Through Apprenticeship Program

The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is providing high school students in Lakeland with the chance to learn valuable trade skills while earning credits toward graduation. This initiative allows students to engage in on-the-job training with employers, which can serve as a launching pad for future careers.

According to Nicole Garner, the communications and public relations manager for Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS), students participating in RAP spend part of their time in school completing necessary courses, while the other part is dedicated to hands-on work in their selected trades. Garner noted, “They spend some of their time at school taking other courses that they will need to graduate and some time working in the trade they have chosen.”

Students can earn up to 40 credits toward the total 100 credits required for a high school diploma through RAP. This structure not only supports their academic goals but also provides practical experience that can enhance their employability. Some students even complete their RAP hours during summer breaks or outside regular school hours.

To participate, students must connect with their school’s Learning Pathways Advisor. NLPS assists students in adapting their schedules to accommodate RAP hours while ensuring they fulfill their graduation requirements. Finding an employer willing to take them on as apprentices is also crucial. “Sometimes our schools help students find a placement and other times students do this on their own,” Garner explained.

RAP offers various trades that require apprenticeships, with popularity shifting each year based on student interests and local job market demands. Common trades include electrician, heavy equipment technician, carpentry, and welding. Garner highlighted that this program enables students to gain early exposure to their future careers while still in high school.

For many students, the benefits extend beyond gaining credits. Some have continued working with the companies where they completed their apprenticeships. Garner stated, “We have had quite a few students who came close to finishing or who finished their first-year apprenticeship while still in high school.” This connection to potential employers can be invaluable as students transition into the workforce.

Additionally, students earn money during their apprenticeships, which can help finance their further education. Scholarships are also available for participants of RAP, providing additional support for their post-secondary training.

One student currently enrolled in RAP is Drew Yackimec, a Grade 12 student at JA Williams High School in Lac La Biche. With aspirations of becoming a mechanic, Yackimec has already accumulated between 1,800 and 1,900 hours toward his heavy-duty mechanics apprenticeship. “RAP was a great fit for me. My dad did the RAP program, and he suggested it to me,” he shared.

Yackimec is set to begin classes at Lakeland College during his second semester, emphasizing the program’s impact: “I was able to fast-track my career. I’m fortunate that I knew what I wanted to do from a very young age.”

The RAP initiative stands as a vital resource for high school students in Lakeland, enabling them to gain practical experience, earn credits, and set the foundation for successful careers in various trades.