Students get early start on renewable energy careers
Renewable energy resources are an important economic driver in southern Alberta. Wind farms are a common site in the rural areas surrounding Lethbridge and in the years to come, skilled workers will be required as the push toward green energy continues.
With that in mind, the Elevate — Introduction to Ironworking program is part of an attempt to train young workers in the area, and give them the skills required to step on to a local jobsite in the near future. The program was initiated by Ironworkers Local 725, as Career Transitions co-ordinated school and student involvement and facilitated the recruitment process.
Thursday morning at the Lethbridge College Agriculture and Trades Training Facility, community members and industry partners were given a breakdown of the program, which students have been involved in for the past seven weeks.
“This is a 10-week, industrystandard training program that was conceived last summer and brought to life as of April,” said Judy Stolk-Ingram, executive director of Career Transitions, who added finding students was the first step. “Given the significant impact this program could have and certainly the significant investment, we wanted to make sure we were doing a first-rate job in picking the right students. We knew we wanted to hit it out of the park as a pilot project.”
There are 15 Grade 11 and Grade 12 students enrolled in the program, which aims to provide students with an experience that would reflect real-world expectations. Students were required to complete an application, submit a resume, academic transcripts and school attendance records. The group of applicants was then shortlisted for interviews, and further shortlisted to the group who were invited to attend the training.
And while the program focuses on a basic introduction to the skills and processes required to erect a wind turbine, additional skills learned transfer well to other trades. The range of technical skills taught include basic rigging, reinforcing steel, fabrication, torque and tension fasteners and more.
The importance of trade math/layout has been emphasized throughout the training, and theory has been followed by practical hands-on application of new knowledge. Students will also take Rough Terrain Forklift training.
Students will also leave the program with OSSA accredited tickets in Fall Protection and Elevated Work Platform, and will complete High Angle Rope Rescue Training, as well as the Safestart Program.
Rob Calver, business manager for Ironworkers Local 725, said students will leave the program with all the skills necessary to succeed in the world of work, after they graduate from high school. Students will have the ability to put their skills to work right here in southern Alberta on a growing list of wind-turbine projects.
“Young people in southern Alberta deserve to put those projects up and be able to come home to their own beds at night instead of a camp in Fort McMurray or Peace River or anywhere around the province,” said Calver.
Cheryl Gilmore, superintendent of Lethbridge School District No. 51, added the program simply would not be possible without the support of the many partners involved, as is the case with so many of the educational opportunities provided through Career Transitions and the District’s Registered Apprenticeship Program, for example.
“Education doesn’t happen within four walls, it happens in the community, it happens in business, it happens in industry and we’re very thankful that you’re willing to invest your time, your energy and your resources to take good care of our youth and inspire them to think about the possibilities in their futures.”
Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman agreed there is great value in providing training programs such as Elevate.
“This is a different type of education, and it’s great to see it happening and I’d like to see much more of it. We need to have it happening in many more fields to let kids know there are huge opportunities out there,” said Spearman
According to Calver, the idea of providing more training opportunities is a distinct possibility.
“We look forward to this program again next year and I’m committing to you that if we can work through this and we can get things happening, I’ll bring down another trade or two next year and we can start growing it and get some more training down here for young people,” he said.
And if the reviews of the students in the current program are any indication, it appears additional program would be welcome. Cory Bullock, a student at Victoria Park High School, wrapped up the Thursday-morning event by praising those involved in Elevate, as he added students throughout southern Alberta could benefit from similar programs.
“I think that we definitely need more programs like this because there are kids that learn well in the classroom and there are kids that learn by doing,” he said. “I’m happy that I am able to be a part of this program and I would definitely hope they would keep teaching this for generations to come.”