Hinton students get hands-on experience at Forestry Trades Camp

GPRC ( gave 20 high school students in the Hinton area the opportunity to get hands-on experiences with forestryrelated trades Dec 5-7 at Forestry Trades Camp.

GPRC partnered with CAREERS: The Next Generation, local businesses, the Government of Alberta to make the unique three-day experience at the Hinton Training Centre possible for students from Father Gerard Redmond Community Catholic School and Harry Collinge High School

“This entire community is so supportive of GPRC making this opportunity available to our local high school students. The three days will give high school students the chance to see the opportunities that exist in the trades and how they can pursue a great career in their home community,” said Michelle Vander-Velden, GPRC Program Coordinator for the West Yellowhead region.

The goal of the camp is to not only give high school students the opportunity to explore forestry-related trades, but the trades in general, which are so important in the West Yellowhead region and Hinton.

The program that is supported by Evergreen Catholic Schools and Grande Yellowhead Public School divisions received funding from the Forestry Futures Alliance through CAREERS: The Next Generation. It also involves Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, Alberta Forest Products Association along with local businesses West Fraser, Alstar Oilfield Contractors, Tarpon Energy, Summit Machining and Welding Ltd., and Winfield Industrial.

“West Fraser is happy to partner with GPRC, Careers: The Next Generation and the other community-minded businesses involved the Forestry Trades Camp to showcase local career opportunities available in the community our youth grow up in,” said Jed Begin, Woodlands Manager, Hinton/Edson Woodlands, West Fraser Mills Ltd.

Students in the camp will learn more about the education opportunities GPRC offers in the region as well as the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) program in which high school students can start their apprenticeship training while earning credits towards high school graduation.

“This initiative is extremely important because it provides local high school students with career exploration opportunities in local trades and forest Industry. This camp is a stepping stone for students to go from exploring a career to experiencing a career through an internship in RAP next summer,” said Janis Lawrence-Harper, Vice-President of Operations with CAREERS: The Next Generation. “Students attending the camp try out careers through hands-on projects and identifying activities that interest them. The students, partners, and community all win as experienced trades people and mill workers share their knowledge and students see local career paths that are available.”

Creating this opportunity is just one of the ways GPRC is working with local educators, industry and government to increase awareness of the trades and the education opportunities that are in the region.

“Hinton is extremely busy again and there is a shortage of qualified trades people as well as available RAP students. Our goal is also to grow this camp next year and the year after to reach students throughout the West Yellowhead region,” said Vander-Velden.