Not many years ago,
the prevailing wisdom, shared by parents and educators alike, was that the
ideal was to have as many high school students as possible proceed to
university. “Without a degree,” many said, “a student has no future.” Today,
good educators realize that many students are better suited for trades, and
that the demand for skilled workers in those fields is as strong as for
university graduates. However, the education system still tends to leave
preparation for rapid entry into trades until after high school, when the best
time to assist those students suited for such careers is the same as for
routing others into university: high school.
In Manitoba and the
western provinces, demand for tradesmen and skilled labour is extremely high.
Our neighbour to the south – North Dakota – has an increasingly difficult time
recruiting tradesmen to the region for its burgeoning oil industry and
contingent construction boom. In rural Manitoba, homeowners often must wait
months for carpenters, plumbers and electricians to undertake projects, while
computer technicians, machinists and steel workers in the city are treasured.
I see great value in offering Cooperative Vocational Education
programs in our division, as well as
throughout the city. These courses offer opportunities for students to
explore or pursue viable, well-paying careers in their field of interest, while
benefiting the employers in the area.
In Seven Oaks, I have been a strong advocate for quality
programs in this area, and we have seen great success with the students who
have been enrolled in our programs. One of the great advantages of the CVE
program is that students who achieve their proper level
in the trades courses may go directly into apprenticeships or jobs, while others go directly into post secondary
institutions such as RRCC, where they are able to “jump the queue” for
enrolment.
We presently have seven CVE program in the division:
Aviation Trades and Technology, Automotive Trades and Technology, Culinary
Services, Early Childhood Educator, Health Care Aide, and Hospitality Services.
Plumbing and Pipe Trades recently was added to the curriculum (2013). These courses generally start in Grade 12 but
some start at the end of Grade 11.
Students earn their high school credits, as well, for graduation. They have a four or 5 week introductory
course in the schools they attend and then have one day at school and 4 days in
on the job training. Students suited for this approach to education generally
are far more satisfied with the education program, and are much more likely to
continue in school. This increased graduation rate benefits the student,
student’s family, employers and community at large.
On September 12, 2014,
in the Woods Shop at Garden City Collegiate (largely due to the Seven
Oaks board and superintendent’s lobbying efforts with MLA Dave Chomiak), the
provincial government announced a $4.6
million state of the art 7000 sq. ft. addition
and renovation to the existing
shop facilities at the school to be completed in the fall of 2016. The new addition will house three new CVE
programs: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Introduction to
Building Trades and Electrical. Premier Greg Selinger, our Superintendent,
Brian O’Leary, Education Minister James Allum, The Woods teacher, Michael
Bilyk, the Principal of the School, Steve Medwick and 2 graduating students all
spoke.
The two students who spoke are recent graduates from Garden
City Collegiate. Both took “Woods” from
instructor, Michael Bilyk. One graduate
said that because of the course he took, he is now pursuing a career in
Carpentry at Red River Community College.
The other indicated that he is registered at the University of
Manitoba. He said that, of all the
courses he took in high school, he liked “Woods” the best because it was hands
on and he could see the results of his efforts.
He also felt that, even if you do not pursue a career in the field, you learn
life long skills that will put you in good stead.
Those comments echo the intent behind offering these
courses. The CVE programs expand the choices for our high school students,
optimizing their interests, passions and abilities. While the majority of
enrolees do proceed into trades or such vocations, the hands-on experience
allows them to make the choice to do so in a more informed manner. These
courses are also available to graduate students, since many of our youth are
not ready to choose a career path until after completing high school, and the
option to explore a “soft” career plan suits those students.
CVE Programming recognizes that each student has unique
skills and interests and that the marketplace has diverse demands on our
graduates, which can best be met by a well-rounded, comprehensive education
strategy. Fortunately for Seven Oaks students, our school division has been one
of the leaders in offering such programs and I am eager to continue working to
further enrich our course offerings in a fiscally responsible manner.
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