High School Students Kickstart Careers Through Registered Apprenticeship Program

The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is empowering high school students in Lakeland to begin their careers in skilled trades while earning credits toward graduation. Through RAP, participants engage in on-the-job training with employers, enhancing their employability and allowing them to accumulate hours toward their apprenticeships.

According to Nicole Garner, the communications and public relations manager for Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS), students combine classroom learning with practical experience. “They spend some of their time at school taking courses necessary for graduation and some time working in the trade they have chosen,” Garner explained.

Many students also complete RAP hours during the summer and outside of regular school hours. Students can earn up to 40 credits of the 100 credits required for a high school diploma through this program. To participate, students must connect with their school’s Learning Pathways Advisor, who assists in creating flexible schedules that accommodate both RAP hours and necessary coursework.

Finding an employer willing to accept them as apprentices can be a collaborative effort. “Sometimes our schools help students find placements, and other times students do this on their own,” Garner noted. RAP covers any trade that requires an apprenticeship, with popular choices varying yearly based on student interest and local demand. The most frequently selected trades include electrician, heavy equipment technician, carpentry, and welding.

RAP offers significant advantages, allowing students to gain early career experience while still in high school. Many graduates continue working with the companies where they completed their apprenticeships. “We have had quite a few students who came close to finishing or who completed their first-year apprenticeship while still in high school,” Garner shared. This program not only connects students to potential future employers but also provides financial benefits, as students earn money that can help fund post-secondary training.

Scholarships are also available for RAP participants, enhancing the program’s appeal. Drew Yackimec, a Grade 12 student at JA Williams High School in Lac La Biche, is among over 30 NLPS students enrolled in RAP this year. Yackimec, who is pursuing a career in heavy-duty mechanics, expressed his enthusiasm: “I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to be a mechanic. My dad did the RAP program, and he suggested it to me.”

Yackimec has already accumulated between 1,800 and 1,900 hours toward his trade and plans to start classes at Lakeland College during his second semester. “I was able to fast-track my career,” he said. “I’m fortunate that I knew what I wanted to do from a very young age.”

As the RAP continues to evolve, it remains a valuable opportunity for students in Lakeland to gain practical skills and make informed career choices while still in high school. The program not only prepares them for successful futures but also helps to meet the growing demand for skilled workers in various trades.