School district 20 has lost a few in-school trade programs in the past few years, but the district is still working to aid and encourage those students interested in careers in trades.
Approximately 40 district grade 8 and 9 students will join an equal number from Kootenay Lake Tuesday for a day long introduction to nine trades at Teck.
During “Trades in Action Day” Teck journeymen and Selkirk College trades instructors will man nine trades “stations.” Each student will have time to partake of four during the day.
The trades involved include: electrician, pipefitter/steamfitter, machinist, millwright, carpenter, welder, steel fabricator and bricklayer.
Trainers at each station will provide safety information, introduction to the tools of the trade, various hands-on opportunities and advice about pursuing the trade in question.
The ITA’s YES2IT (Youth Exploring Skills to Industry Training) will cover the cost of substute teachers, bussing and some safety equipment and supplies for the students and supervisors involved, and Teck will provide lunch on site.
Millwright/Machinist and Carpentry pre-trade studies were previously offered at Stanley Humphries Secondary and J.L. Crowe Secondary. SD20 currently has 11 students enrolled in a chef training option at Rossland Senior Secondary.