Education
Natural Resources
September 15, 2008

High School Skilled Trades Program Expands to 35 More Schools

With an additional investment of $750,000 in Budget 2008, the Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology program will be expanded to an additional 35 schools across the province. Today, the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, was at Templeton Academy in Meadows to tour the school�s design room which has been refurbished to a modern fabrication suite. Minister Burke also viewed the new state-of-the-art equipment recently shipped to the school.

"There is an increasing demand for skilled labour to meet the needs associated with the many large-scale development projects on the province�s horizon," said Minister Burke. "The high school program exposes students to the skilled trades using the same calibre of equipment that is found on job-sites across the country. With our investment in this year�s budget, more schools can renovate their space to accommodate the new equipment and courses, and ultimately increase opportunities to more students."

The Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology program is currently offered in 37 high schools. Six courses have been developed to support the program, with eight new courses to be implemented province-wide by 2010. These courses are supported with industrial equipment such as computer-controlled routers and lathes, sliding compound mitre saws and a wide variety of other power tools. Courses engage students in a variety of activities associated with technology and skilled trades � from simple construction and small engine repair, to the design and development of control programs using computers and robotics.

Minister Burke noted that special measures are being made to raise awareness about the opportunities in the skilled trades among female students. Last fall, the minister launched the campaign Jump Start Your Life, designed to show young women that a career in the skilled trades is exciting and lucrative, while at the same time, demands creativity and skill. Since 2004, the number of women registering for apprenticeship programs in non-traditional trades at the post-secondary level has increased by 35 per cent.

Another significant measure taken by the Provincial Government to ensure a capable and diverse workforce that supports the involvement of women is the negotiation of the Gender Equity and Diversity Plan in the Hebron agreement, a first in an offshore oil agreement. The plan will provide training and recruitment programs that address access to business opportunities for women, Aboriginals, and disadvantaged groups, including those with disabilities.

"The employment commitments negotiated as part of the Hebron agreement will provide significant job opportunities in the skilled trades," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources. "The Gender Equity and Diversity Plan represents a true milestone for our industry and our future workforce. Through the negotiation of these agreements, we continue our commitment to developing an industry that truly holds opportunity and benefits for all the people of the province."

Over the past two years, the Williams Government has allocated an unprecedented $53.8 million in the areas of apprenticeship, science and technology, programming, training and infrastructure. These investments have funded new programs at College of the North Atlantic, improved infrastructure and learning resources, and effectively doubled the number of seats in trades-related programs at campuses throughout the province.

As a result, more people in the province are actively involved in skilled trades. Comparing 2007 to the previous year, there was a 65 per cent increase in the number of active apprentices, and a 20 per cent increase in the number of people writing the national apprenticeship exam to become certified journeypersons. The number of people receiving journeyperson certification increased by 41 per cent during the same time period.

"Building our province�s skills base is critical if we�re to be competitive in the global marketplace," said Minister Burke. "These investments are ensuring we have a strong, responsive education system. A career in the skilled trades offers enormous opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador. With more students having access to the skilled trades program in high school, we look forward to increased participation in post-secondary skilled training."

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Media contacts:

Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Skilled Trades Implementation
2008�09

School

Community

Western School District

Templeton Collegiate Meadows
Main River Academy Pollard�s Point
Grandy�s River Collegiate Burnt Islands
Piccadilly Central High School Piccadilly
Long Range Academy Cow Head
Belanger Memorial School Upper Ferry
Cloud River Academy Roddickton
Viking Trail Academy Plum Point
   

Nova Central School District

Point Leamington Academy Point Leamington
Lester Pearson Memorial High School Wesleyville
Bay D�Espoir Academy Milltown
Lakewood Academy Glenwood
Gill Memorial Academy Musgrave Harbour
Glovertown Academy Glovertown
Baie Verte Academy Baie Verte
Leo Burke Academy Bishop�s Falls
Cape John Collegiate La Scie
King Academy Harbour Breton
   

Eastern School District

Christ the King School Rushoon
Clarenville High School Clarenville
Random Island Academy Random Island
St. Catherine�s Academy Mt. Carmel
Dunne Memorial St. Mary�s
St. Michael�s Regional High School Bell Island
Holy Spirit High School Manuals
Mobile Regional High School Mobile
Bishops College St. John�s
Booth Memorial High School St. John�s
Prince of Wales Collegiate St. John�s
St. Kevin�s High School Goulds
Stella Maris Academy Trepassy
Holy Name of Mary Academy Lawn
Crescent Collegiate Blaketown
Baccalieau Collegiate Old Perlican
Tricentia Academy Arnold�s Cove

2008 09 15                                                       10:20 a.m.

 


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