Youth fashion a career in the trades
Skills competition promotes hands- on learning and lets B. C.’ s best shine
When Donna Lu graduated from Eric Hamber secondary school last year, she never dreamed how the course she took there in fashion technology would open doors for her.
The 18- year- old’s mastery in creating fashion has won her the right to represent Canada at the international World Skills competition, July 8 to 11 in Leipzig, Germany.
She is the only British Columbian on the Canadian team.
“I’m very excited, but scared at the same time,” said Lu, who will be creating an original outfit of pants, shirt and jacket for the event.
Lu is one of thousands of British Columbians who have been encouraged to train for a career in the trades thanks in part to Skills Canada- B. C. and Discover Trades BC. The two nonprofit organizations work with World Skills International, which is hosting the competition in Germany.
In order to reach the level Lu has achieved, young people must compete and win gold at the provincial and national levels. The next provincial show for youths interested in a career in trades and technology is on April 17 at the Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre ( Tradex) in Abbotsford.
The event is a good opportunity for anyone — but particularly high school students — to get a look at career options in the trades, said Amber Papou, executive director of Skills Canada- B. C. region.
“Our mandate covers everything not university- designated — from soft skills like culinary, baking, landscaping, horticulture, all the way to traditional trades like welding and plumbing to 3D animation, graphic design, fashion technology,” said Papou, listing some of the trades that will be showcased at the event.
She estimates 7,000 spectators will attend the event, while 500 young people, from elementary, secondary and post- secondary schools, will compete.
Keeping options open
Abbotsford school district will be busing all Grade 10 students in the district to the event, said Patti Tebbutt, district principal of career programs.
“Abbotsford prides itself on having programs of choices as strategies to engage kids. We believe that’s key to kids completing school.”
Tebbutt said the high school graduation rate for Abbotsford has risen over the past decade to 86 from 80 per cent — and one reason for that is students are being encouraged to consider a career in the trades if they don’t plan to go to university.
“There are lots of kids who recognize they don’t want to go to university and these programs are wonderful ways to get them excited about learning and to complete high school,” she said.
Consider 17- year- old Dave Lawton, a Grade 12 student from Yale secondary, who is intent on taking an automotive service course at the University of Fraser Valley.
“Dropping out of high school was definitely a possibility, if I had to waste time doing stuff I wasn’t interested in,” he said. “I always wanted to go to a trades school. It’s hands- on learning. The class is awesome.”
Lawton said he plans to take a threeyear program at the university to get his red seal in automotive service, which will entitle him to work as a mechanic.
Tebbutt said it typically takes three to four years of study to complete a trades program following high school graduation.
“There’s a misconception ( that trade programs) are for kids who are weak academically. But that isn’t true. You have to complete three or four years of study to become qualified. There’s a high academic standard,” she said.
Tebbutt said a professional cook requires three years of post- highschool study, while getting full journeyman status as either an electrician or carpenter requires four years of study after high school.
Choosing a lifestyle
But both Tebbutt and Papou said trades are still stigmatized, with many parents preferring their students attend university instead.
“In general, it’s safe to say parents often have a university education as their first choice for their child, but more and more people are starting to recognize trades or technology training is a ticket to a wonderful lifestyle,” Tebbutt said.
“To have the happiest life you need to combine your interests with your talents and then you are in your element.”
She also pointed out some trades, like plumbers for instance, can earn substantially more money than some occupations that require university degrees.
The Abbotsford school district has 12 trades programs that students can take in their final year of high school. If they pass, they leave high school with a Level 1 certificate in whatever trade they are studying.
There’s high demand among high school students for the trades courses. More than 300 applied for the 100 positions, said Rick McDonald, coordinator of the trades programs and apprenticeships for Abbotsford school district’s career programs.
“We’re trying to push them into skilled trades with good career potential,” said McDonald. “A lot of kids are more hands- on learners and they do a great job in the trades.”
The 12 programs Abbotsford school district offers include automotive service technician, electrician, drafting, welding, applied business technology, health and human services, animation, a green building program, cooking, hair design, horticulture and heavy equipment operation.
Papou said the April 17 event will feature competitions in 40 different fields; the winners will move on to the provincial competition at BC Place in June.
Making choices
One of the participants in the electric wiring competition this year is Casey Lenning, a 17- year- old from Rick Hansen secondary in Abbotsford.
“I didn’t want to sit around after high school and do nothing. I like going to a trade school. You meet lots of people and there’s good money in it,” said Lenning.
Lenning’s dad, Greg, said he’s proud of his son and pleased that he is doing something that interests him.
“I just want him to do something worthwhile for him. A trade can be awesome and he’s so enthusiastic and focused. As an electrician, he’ll have no problem ( getting work) after completing his apprenticeship,” said Greg, who is also an electrician.
Greg also sees the value of going to university and, while Casey has the grades to do so, he believes in letting his children make their own choices.
Papou said the goal of the competition at the Tradex centre is to get as many kids as possible exposed to choices in the trades and technology field.
“We try to get these kids engaged and offer them an engaging environment while their peers are competing and being celebrated for the skills they’ve learned,” she said.
She said Skills Canada- B. C. teams up with every school district in the province, providing educational resources and connections with post- secondary institutions offering trades programs.
One of the Skills Canada- B. C.’ s partners, Discovery Trades BC, has created a video highlighting the top 10 in- demand trades today: carpentry, cabinet making, electrical, telecommunications, chefs and cooks, automotive trades, construction, metal framing, welding and cosmetology and hair styling.