Public school board making gains in skilled trades and technical education

Educators with the Greater Essex County District School Board are hoping to put a dent in the region’s skilled trades shortage with a technical education program that looks like it’s catching on among high school students, some of whom are earning up to $35,000 a year to learn a trade.

Enrolment has grown by two per cent in the public board’s technical education program, which includes construction technology, design, communication, transportation and exploratory (general tech). The program’s manufacturing sector alone has seen enrolment increase by 17 per cent.

That means nearly 1,000 more public high school students are enroled in skilled trades programs than five years ago, the board of trustees was told at its bi-weekly meeting Tuesday.

Superintendent of education Dan Fister said there’s been a “cultural change” in attitude, as well as a sustained campaign by the board to raise awareness of the opportunities for students in the skilled trades.

Dan Fister, superintendent of education-student achievement, is pictured at Reko Manufacturing Group, Monday, Feb. 2, 2014.  (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Dan Fister, superintendent of education-student achievement, is pictured at Reko Manufacturing Group, Monday, Feb. 2, 2014. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

“One in four students coming into Grade 9 are taking at least one course in technical education,” Fister said.

“We dug deeper, cleaned up our own house. Because we (educators) are university trained we have a hidden bias to the university pathway,” he said. “Now, we’re doing a better job of emphasizing equally all the pathways open to students.”

There is an impending recognition by St. Clair College that the board’s two-year apprenticeship program is the equivalent of a level-one apprenticeship certification. The dual credit agreement has been forwarded to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities for final approval.

The board will also expand its school/private industry partnership model now being used with REKO International Group.

REKO is providing training, tools and moulds, and hires four students at a time who are registered in Belle River Secondary School’s precision metal cutting program through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Progam (OYAP).

Since the announcement of the REKO partnership, GECDSB has received 19 inquiries from other local companies to get involved in something similar.

Joe Sirianni, corporate human resources manager at Reko Manufacturing Group, Monday, Feb. 2, 2014.  (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Joe Sirianni, corporate human resources manager at Reko Manufacturing Group, Monday, Feb. 2, 2014. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Joe Sirianni, REKO’s corporate human resources manager, describes the model as “an adopt a school program.”

The plan essentially designates a school with OYAP programs as the partner for the clusters of industry located in its geographical area. Four of the board’s 16 secondary schools have precision metal cutting programs (Belle River, General Amherst, Sandwich and Herman). In total, 10 schools offer some form of specialized technical programs.

“We’re getting an earlier start at training our own future employees, Sirianni said. “The school and the students get access to modern equipment and mentoring from our senior people.”

Ed Kotevich, GECDSB’s OYAP co-ordinator, said students are earning up to $35,000 during their one-year placements while also receiving their credits. Currently, there are 64 students on paid placements in precision metal cutting.

Kotevich said the board’s aggressive marketing of technical education at both the secondary and elementary levels has been as important as the new opportunities being created.

Kotevich said parents are now more open to skilled trades as a career for their children and the negativity surrounding student debt has also helped change perspectives.

Ed Kotevich, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program coordinator, is pictured at Reko Manufacturing Group, Monday, Feb. 2, 2014.  (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Ed Kotevich, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program coordinator, is pictured at Reko Manufacturing Group, Monday, Feb. 2, 2014. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

He said it costs approximately $2,600 per year for most apprenticeships, but the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities picks up about $2,200 of that total.

“We’re expanding an existing model we see working well,” said Kotevich, who was honoured with the 2014 Great Lakes Manufacturing Council Talent Innovation Award for his work in promoting the growth of skilled trades.

“We’re replicating what we’re doing with REKO. If we can do that with a dozen shops, we’ll fill the void faster.”

 

 

 

 

Article courtesy of The Windor Star.