FREDERICTON (GNB) – Nineteen high school students will be given the opportunity to acquire practical experience in a skilled trade for eight weeks this summer.
These pre-apprenticeship students will be matched with a business in their community through paid work terms under the new Programme d’apprentissage pour les jeunes du Nouveau-Brunswick (New Brunswick Teen Apprenticeship Program), implemented in the three francophone school districts.
“I applaud this type of initiative, which enables high school students who aspire to a career in a skilled trade, to participate in a useful and enriching experience in the workplace,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy. “In addition to valuable experiential learning, these work terms are another means of better preparing youth to shape their future and make some connections with employers in the community, which may help reduce the labour shortage in various skilled trades in New Brunswick.”
During the summer, the students will take part in work terms in the following skilled trades: welding, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, automobile mechanics, industrial mechanics, and heavy equipment mechanics. Participation in these work terms aims to allow students to gain additional practical experience that will be helpful during their post-secondary education and when they begin working in their skilled trade with the goal of obtaining their Red Seal, a nationally recognized certification.
The hours accumulated by the participants can be credited by New Brunswick Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification. Student apprentices will be supervised by a Red Seal certified mentor during their work term.
“High school students’ interest in participating in these programs is worthwhile and it is really encouraging for the future since we are helping them prepare for their career and life readiness plan,” Cardy said. “I want to thank our partners and the employers in our communities for providing such learning opportunities to young people who want to build a career in a skilled trade right here in New Brunswick.”
Thanks to a partnership with participating employers, the program allows young people to enter a pre-apprenticeship in a skilled trade beginning in Grade 10 and to acquire a first work experience. In addition to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the other partners in this pilot project are Future NB et Future Wabanaki.
This project helps to fulfil the first objective of the 10-year education plan, Donnons à nos enfants une longueur d’avance, designed to give francophone students a chance to develop the skills needed to help them carry out their career and life readiness plan.
13-07-22
