2005 News Releases
June 21, 2005
Apprenticeship learning products get youth excited about trades
Activity book, comic book and playing cards first of their kind in Canada
Edmonton... A unique set of learning products showcasing apprenticeship programs and the trades are now being used in elementary and junior high schools across Alberta. The activity books, comic books and playing cards are designed to raise awareness among young people about the trades as a viable and rewarding career choice. The products have been extremely well-received by students and educators.
"These learning materials are a creative way to get the apprenticeship message out to students in the early grades," said Advanced Education and Technology Minister Dave Hancock. "Now, more than ever, children can truly aspire to be anything they want to be. Apprenticeship is a valuable post-secondary option, and we're working to let young Albertans know about it from day one."
The new products, entitled "Step into the Trades," each focus on certain age groups: the activity book is for students in Kindergarten to Grade 4; the playing cards for Grades 2 to 4; and the comic book for Grades 7 to 9. Development of a Step into the Trades CD-Rom is underway and will be available to elementary school students, particularly those in Grades 5 and 6, in the next school year. The products are designed to appeal specifically to Aboriginal students, as Aboriginal people are traditionally under-represented in the trades. The products were focus tested with a representative group of young people.
"Our government wants Albertans to see apprenticeship in the same light as they do university and college," said Hancock. "People who work in the trades - especially in Alberta - are skilled professionals who are highly respected, well paid and in high demand. There are a lot of great opportunities out there for Alberta's future apprentices and tradespeople."
"These products are a great way to get students excited about post-secondary education and their futures," said Dr. Doug Nelson, District Principal of Aboriginal Learning Services, Edmonton Catholic School District. "The more young people are aware of their options and the opportunities that are available to them, the more likely they are to become happy, successful adults."
The Step into the Trades learning products complement the work already being done in the Youth Apprenticeship Project and the Registered Apprenticeship Program, which support young people entering the trades. For more information on these or any other apprenticeship initiatives, visit www.advancededucation.gov.ab.ca or www.tradesecrets.org.
