South Slave students get trades exposure
More than 50 students get involved in trades awareness program at Aurora College's Thebacha campus in Fort Smith
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Monday, October 12, 2015
THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
As many as 53 students in the South Slave region may have a much better idea of what trade they want to pursue after a week-long program in Fort Smith earlier this month.
Dylan Erasmus of Paul W. Kaeser High School works on a plumbing task during the introductory trades awareness program at Aurora College in Fort Smith. - photo courtesy of Sarah Pruys/South Slave Education Council |
The introductory trades awareness program (TAP) was hosted by Aurora College's Thebacha campus and was held in conjunction with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment as well as the South Slave Divisional Education Council. It was held for students from Grades 8 through Grade 12.
Students were given a first-hand look at trades ranging from carpentry, to electrical work to plumbing - all trades that are available at Aurora College. The program, which has been running since 2005, was set up in two phases: introductory and intensive. In the introductory phase, students rotated through several trades while the intensive phase saw them learn about a single trade over a four-day period, according to a news release from the college.
"Aurora College Thebacha Campus has skilled instructors and well-equipped shops that make this a real skill-building opportunity for the participants," stated Duane MacDonald, acting chair of trades, apprenticeship and industrial training at the college in a news release.
"Students who attended (now) have some understanding of what it takes be successful in the trades after they graduate from high school."
The program gives students in smaller schools access to the trade shops as well as equipment and instructional expertise offered by the college and the Fort Smith business community. Participating students earn career and technology credits towards their high school diploma.
"Our partnership with Aurora College and the ECE career centre in Fort Smith has benefited hundreds of students since the program's inception," stated Curtis Brown, superintendent of the South Slave Divisional Education Council.
The program is not only an education experience but a strong bonding opportunity as well, said Brent Kaulback, assistant superintendent with the South Slave education council.
"They get to connect with students and friends from other communities and really sort of mesh together so it's always good to see that aspect as well," Kaulback said.
"We have the students for five days and for the entire time we want to make sure they are busy and engaged. Each day they spend time with the trades instructors but when they finish up we also provide recreational and fun activities that are trade-based. This year we had the trades Olympics where we put the students through their paces driving nails and putting plumbing (fixtures) together. The kids have a terrific time competing against each other."
