Transition Options for Secondary School Students

"to bridge secondary and post-secondary education 
and training for enhanced workplace readiness"

Transitions Option #1: CTC Trades Training  

Benefits to Students:

• Graduate with a Grade 12 academic (Dogwood) Diploma  plus up to one year of Post-Secondary training
• Graduate in two years (with the friends from your Grade 10 classes)
• Tuition for Post-Secondary training is sponsored by your home school district or independent school while attending a TRU trades training program  (students are responsible for some post-secondary training costs - see the CTC application for specific details on costs to be borne by the student)
• Avoid the growing Post-Secondary waitlists that the general public have to deal with
• Accelerated access to a career or further Post-Secondary training
• Chance to get a jump start on Apprenticeship training by completing a TRU trades training program
   

Who can apply for CTC seats in TRU trades training programs?

During their Grade 10 school year, interested students who are supported by their school district or independent school, are encouraged to apply for one of the following CTC trades training opportunities:

Automotive Service Technician 1 Carpentry Culinary Arts (Level 1 & 2 Apprenticeship) Construction Electrician Glazier – Apprenticeship Level 1 Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport Mechanic

Electrician / Industrial Instrument Mechanic Joinery (Cabinet Making) Power Sports and Marine Equipment Technician Plumbing / Piping Trades Meat Cutter / Retail Meat Processing Parts & Warehousing Person Welding Level-C Apprenticeship

 

How do I apply for CTC trades training?

• Visit the TRU Transitions Webpage and the follow the links for your current school grade to print a copy of the applicable CTC Application Form and any of the Program brochures that are of interest to you.
• Discuss the documents with your parents and decide if this training opportunity is right for you.
• Immediately meet with your secondary school counselor or Transitions Coordinator to schedule your classes.  Complete the application and email to ctc-kamloops@tru.ca or  fax  it to the TRU Transitions office, (250) 828-5492 attention: Leslie Matthews, TRU Transitions Secretary, prior to the early application deadline for SD27*,  SD58, SD73 SD74 or SD83 students. 
• The early application deadline for students enrolled with SD27*,  SD58, SD73, SD74 or SD83 schools, is May 6, 2011.   Interested Grade 10 students from other BC school districts or independent schools should meet with their school counsellor to confirm their eligibility.  If eligible, they should submit an application as early as possible, to be considered immediately after the SD27*, SD58, SD73, SD74 & SD83 seat assignments have been completed, for any remaining CTC seats. 
• After the early application period is over, applications will be accepted from students enrolled with any BC school district or independent school (subject to funding agreement by the student's home school district).  These applications will be reviewed on a first-come-and-qualified, first-served basis, to fill any seats that may still be available, or to add the student’s name to a waitlist for the program of their choice.

Grade 11 or 12 students can also apply at any time up to the start of the post-secondary training for any remaining CTC seats.  Applications for these seats are processed on a first come basis so students interested in any of the CTC trades training program seats should apply as soon as possible.  Waitlisted programs can also be applied for and students will be notified as soon as a seat becomes available.

* SD27 students are eligible to apply for any CTC seats in TRU Kamloops trades programs that are not offered at TRU's William Lake Campus.  Please refer to individual brochures for more detail and refer to the SD27 Career Ed website  for additional information.

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Transitions Option #2:   Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA)

SSA is a Career Program which provides opportunities for students 15 years or older to obtain work experience hours for an apprenticeship during their secondary school years

So…”What Is an Apprenticeship?”

Work-based training combined with post-secondary education
Two-way contract between an employer and an apprentice (employee)

Benefits of SSA

• 16 Credits towards secondary school graduation
• Earn a minimum of 480 hours paid work experience towards the 1st level of your apprenticeship (employer determines SSA starting wage)
• Get a head-start in your career
• Seamless transition from school to work
• Acquire skills employers want
• Get hired due to your acquired skills and launch your career
• Passport to work-mobility in Canada
• Debt free (if you apply your paid workplace hours toward your post-secondary in-school training sessions)

SSA Scholarships!!!

As an added bonus, Secondary School Apprentices may qualify for a $1,000 scholarship if:

• they complete at least 480 hours of paid work experience in their chosen trade
• and graduate from secondary school with a C+ average on grade 12 numbered courses
• and are still working in their chosen apprenticeship six months after secondary school graduation

Visit the Industry Training Authority’s SSA website  for   more details

 
How do I apply for SSA training?

1. Research the trade(s) you may be interested in…   (there are over 140 trades in BC to choose from)      
2. The Industry Training Authority website has a listing of the BC trades.
3. Visit the SSA website to review the SSA application process & to obtain a copy of the SSA application form.  Discuss this info with your parents and your secondary school counselor.
4. Find an employer who is committed to sponsoring your SSA training and has a Journeyperson on staff.   For example, the employer MUST have a  Journeyperson carpenter if you want to be signed up as their carpentry apprentice.
5. To obtain & complete your SSA application contact your school district rep:  

• SD27 students:  Gord Armour, SD27 Career Programs Coordinator (250) 398-3823
• SD58 students:  Darren Coates, SD58 Trades and Transitions Coordinator (250) 315-1117
• SD73 students:  Greg Howard, SD73 Transitions Advisor, at:  (250) 374-0679
• SD74 students:  Wendy Blaskovic, SD74 Transitions Liaison, Ashcroft Secondary (250) 453-9144
• SD83 students:  Wayne Spencer, SD83 Career Supervisor (250) 832-3080