Jada Gaudet and Lianne Shiels, both in Grade 7 at Osoyoos Elementary School, watch as Brian Zakall of Joe’s Plumbing shows them how to insert a pipe through holes they’ve drilled. The students had an introduction to various building trades last week. (Richard McGuire photo)
In a classroom at Osoyoos Elementary School last week, students in Grades 6 and 7 were engrossed in adding pipes to wooden frames they had built two days earlier.
Many of the girls and boys participating in the YES 2 IT Trades Exploration Week had never before used tools or done a project like this.
But they loved the experience.
This year the introduction to trades focused on the construction trades of carpentry, electrical and plumbing.
Skilled local journeymen from those trades were at the school to help the students.
Several of the students said the introduction has made them think seriously about going into the trades as a career.
“It was my first time using a hammer,” said Peyton Thompson, a Grade 6 student who liked carpentry the best. “I like building stuff with wood.”
Thompson said he was undecided about a career path before last week, previously considering such jobs as an architect, actor or policeman.
Thompson said he’s now considering such options as becoming a plumber.
“I have a lot of time (to make up my mind),” he said.
At Osoyoos Elementary, the students learned about framing from Len McLean of McLean Construction, building small “pony” wall frames on the Tuesday.
The next day, Greg Balogh of Balogh Electric was there to show them how to add wiring. Then on Thursday, Brian Zakall of Joe’s Plumbing showed the children how to add plumbing to their frames.
This year’s program was changed from previous years when the students visited Osoyoos Secondary School, said Boyd Turnbull, career education co-ordinator with School District 53.
“This year we’ve been given a whole week,” said Turnbull. “So rather than going up to the high school with the kids only getting 20 minutes per section, I’m coming to them at the elementary school and they’re getting an hour and a half per day for a week.”
In Osoyoos, because the class sizes are larger, only Grade 6 and 7 students participated this year, Turnbull said.
At some smaller schools, Grade 5 and even Grade 4 in the case of Okanagan Falls, were included.
On Monday, the students drew up plans for their projects and on Friday a representative from Okanagan College came to talk about trades programs.
Except in some cases where parents work in the trades, this was the first exposure many students had to these skills, said Turnbull.
With the sessions at the elementary school, many parents have come to watch or be involved.
“The biggest surprise for me was the amount of parent involvement,” said Turnbull. “The Industry Training Authority and the school district are always trying to get parents involved in the school.”
The new format has provided a better opportunity for parents to experience what their child is doing, he said.
Aside from exposing the students to trades, the program aims to let parents know about some of the apprenticeship programs their children can take advantage of when they get into high school.
“It’s a good career to get into and they are always looking for tradespeople,” he said.
Outside the school on a mild day, many students held up their projects for photos after the class.
“I think it was fun and I’d definitely like to do this again,” said Jasmine Dewar, a Grade 7 student. “I liked the teamwork. It was amazing and easy to do.”
Halle Foster, a Grade 7 student, said she enjoyed the electrical wiring the most.
“I like trying to figure out the patterns of the wires and everything,” she said, adding it would be fun to work as an electrician.
“I was thinking of doing something in the trades, but I wasn’t quite sure, so this has kind of made me think more about the trades jobs,” she said. “I really like the electricity stuff.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Hanna Estby (left) and Navneet Sandhu, Grade 6 students at Osoyoos Elementary School, measure a pipe that they’ve installed in a frame. The children last week had an introduction to different building trades. (Richard McGuire photo)
Noah Macor, a Grade 7 student at Osoyoos Elementary School, cuts a pipe with guidance from Brian Zakall of Joe’s Plumbing. (Richard McGuire photo)
Navneet Sandhu (left) and Hanna Estby fit a pipe through holes in a frame. The two are Grade 6 students at Osoyoos Elementary School. Last week students were introduced to a number of building trades. (Richard McGuire photo)
Jaston Peters (left) and Sukhman Kailay fit a pipe through a wooden frame while Lucas Deane looks on. The Grade 6 and 7 students were introduced to various building trades at Osoyoos Elementary School last week. (Richard McGuire photo)
Jasmanpreet Sekhon (left) and Arshdeep Aulakh, Grade 7 students at Osoyoos Elementary School, fit a pipe through a wooden frame they’ve built. Last week students at the school were introduced to various building trades. (Richard McGuire photo)
Students at Osoyoos Elementary School show off the projects they’ve made using framing, electrical wiring and plumbing skills. Last week the students were introduced to building trades. (Richard McGuire photo)
