SD 27 Youth WORK in Trades Students - $1000 Cash Awards

Congratulations to the following students who each received a $1000 cash award from the ITA Youth Work in Trades Program.

Opportunities like these are available to students 15 years of age or older who are working in a paid, part time position in a recognized trade under the supervision of a qualified tradesperson. For more information about how you can begin your apprenticeship training while attending high school contact David Corbett, SD 27 Career Programs Coordinator at 250-398-3823 or david.corbett@sd27.bc.ca.

Adam Sytsma - Automotive Service Technician

Adam graduated from Lake City Secondary School in 2020. When Adam was in grade 10, he began working afterschool and on holidays at DMC Transmission Ltd. as an Automotive Service Technician Apprentice. While in high school Adam completed over 1500 apprenticeship hours through the Youth Work in Trades program. Adam finished his first level apprenticeship training at Okanagan College Kelowna in the fall of 2020 and is currently in his second level of training at Okanagan College Kelowna. Adam, now 19 years old, has this message for grade 10 students: “Don’t be afraid to jump in and try something, I didn’t know 3 years ago I would be doing this and loving it".

Jayven McBride - Truck and Transport Technician

Jayven received this award by successfully completing the Youth Work in Trades program while working as a Truck and Transport Technician Apprentice for Royce Cook Ltd., beginning in grade 10. By the time Jayven graduated from Lake City Secondary he had earned over 3500 hours, the equivalent for his first 2 apprenticeship years. Jayven, now 19 years old, is completing the 3rd year of his apprenticeship training and is on track to achieve his Red Seal at 20 years old. Well done Jayven! While attending school in SD 27 Jayven was able to participate in the Youth Discover the Trades event in grade7, complete the Youth Explore the Trades course at Lake City Secondary, and successfully finish both the Youth Work in Trades program, and the Youth Train in Trades program offered to students. Jayven’s advice to current students: “It is a lot of fun, it is great - lots of learning and way better than sitting in an office.”

Tanner Weetman - Heavy Duty Equipment Technician

Tanner received this award by successfully completing the Youth Work in Trades program as a Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Apprentice at Grassland Equipment and Freightliner in Williams Lake. Tanner successfully completed both the Youth Train in Trades and Youth Work in Trades programs while attending Lake City Secondary School.

Aidan Herrling - Carpenter

Aidan began the Youth Work in Trades program in the spring of 2020 while working at Peter Arnold Log Homes Ltd. Schools had transitioned to an online format due to Covid-19 allowing Aidan to work full-time and complete his graduation requirements at the same time. He graduated from Lake City Secondary School in 2020.  Aidan, now 18 years old is preparing for his 3rd year as an apprentice carpenter and is on track to receive his Red Seal in Carpentry before he is 20 years old! Aidan’s advice to students thinking about Youth Work in Trades: “Don’t be afraid to try it out. If you get into it and like it that’s good… A lot of different paths.” Peter Arnold added, “It’s [Youth Work in Trades] the best thing they can do. We can show them our passion – get them hooked.” 

Sam Fait - Carpenter

Sam chose to use his grade 12 year to prepare for his future career as a Carpenter and took part in the Youth Train in Trades program first semester to get Level 1&2 Carpentry. During second semester when schools had transitioned to an online format due to Covid-19, Sam was hired by Brock Smith, at Smith Timber Works Ltd and began the Youth Work in Trades program in the spring of 2020 allowing Sam to work full-time while completing his graduation requirements at the same time. He graduated from Lake City Secondary School in 2020. Brock Smith has been very pleased with Sam’s work ethic and his growing skills as a timber framer. Although Sam is only 18 years old, he is registered to do his 3rd year carpentry training in the fall, a benefit of taking part in SD 27 Youth Train and Work in Trades programs.