Kamloops Students Seize Post-Secondary Opportunities with TRU

High school students in the Kamloops area are increasingly enrolling in post-secondary education while still completing their secondary studies. According to the Kamloops-Thompson School District (SD73), approximately 7.5 percent of the district’s Grade 12 students are taking advantage of opportunities at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) this academic year. This statistic highlights a strong collaboration between the school district and the university, which offers valuable experiences for students transitioning to higher education.

During a board meeting on March 4, 2024, SD73 Superintendent Mike McKay emphasized the significance of this trend, stating that it allows students to begin their post-secondary journey within the supportive environment of secondary education. In an interview with Castanet Kamloops, SD73 Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Rick Kienlein noted that while the percentage of students enrolled in dual-credit programs is high, it remains consistent with previous years, ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 percent depending on various factors such as student interest and TRU’s capacity.

This academic year, there are 89 students from SD73 participating in dual-credit programs at TRU, an increase of 17 students from the previous year. Among these students, 55 are pursuing skilled trades, 21 are enrolled in first-year university courses, and 13 are taking certificate programs. Additionally, 27 students in the Health Science Academy are enrolled in a first-year psychology course, while 10 Grade 11 and 12 students from Logan Lake are set to begin foundation-level welding training.

The growth in dual-credit enrollment aligns with a broader trend at TRU, which reported an increase of four to five percent in domestic enrolment this fall. This year’s enrolment numbers are anticipated to surpass initial forecasts. According to SD73’s Enhancing Student Learning Report, the percentage of Grade 12 students enrolled in dual-credit TRU certificate programs has shown fluctuations: 6 percent in 2022-23, 7 percent in 2023-24, and projected at 6 percent for 2024-25.

Despite these promising figures, the report indicates that SD73’s transition rates to post-secondary institutions remain below provincial averages across all categories from 2018 to 2023. In light of this, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills announced plans to double its trades training funding to 241 million CAD over the next three years. This investment aims to increase apprenticeship seats, enhance trades certification, and reduce waitlists, with TRU describing the funding as “transformational.”

Kienlein expressed cautious optimism regarding how this investment might create more opportunities for local students. He raised important questions about the actual benefits that SD73 students could reap from the funding and how it might enhance access to training programs through TRU. He noted that TRU develops an annual training and spending plan that outlines available seats for students.

Furthermore, Kienlein highlighted that SD73 students may gain additional training opportunities through apprenticeships, including the SkilledTradesBC Youth Work in Trades program. This could further support students in their pursuit of skilled trades, providing them with greater access to experienced professionals in their chosen fields.

As Kamloops-area students continue to pursue post-secondary education and training, the collaboration between SD73 and TRU exemplifies a growing commitment to fostering educational opportunities that align with students’ aspirations and the demands of the local economy.