Osoyoos Secondary School graduate Kelsey Gorgichuk recently expressed her appreciation to School District 53 trustees for their support of the welding apprenticeship program she is pursuing. She was accompanied by Career Education Co-ordinator Rod Kitt. Gorgichuk, 18, has completed her welding foundation program at Thompson Rivers University and is completing her Red Seal in welding. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
The life of a former Osoyoos Secondary School student is a “little unreal” right now as she pursues a career in welding.
Kelsey Gorgichuk expressed this sentiment in front of School District 53 trustees recently during a special presentation.
She was accompanied by Career Education Coordinator Rod Kitt who outlined the ACE IT, Dual Credit and Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA) programs. (ACE IT is accelerated credit enrolment in industry training.)
Gorgichuk, 18, lauded these programs for giving her a “jump-start” on her welding career.
You could say her passion for the trade rubbed off from her dad, who is a heavy-duty mechanic.
Gorgichuk started off in Work Experience 12, where she solidified her passion for the trade. Through ACE IT, she completed her welding foundation program at Thompson Rivers University and worked as a secondary school apprentice welder.
Gorgichuk is now taking the education required to complete her “Red Seal” in welding. She will be writing her Journeyman exam on May 1.
The young woman has been working in Saskatchewan as an apprenticeship student welding on a pipeline.
When she finishes her Red Seal exam, she has an outstanding offer to return to her former employer.
“It’s a little unreal,” she commented, noting her plan is to join a union in order to make more money.
She pointed out that students who want to succeed in their chosen careers have to have ambition, which is the key.
Gorgichuk acknowledged that a few more girls are getting into the trades.
Kitt said students are “scattered around the countryside” receiving high school credits towards their diploma.
He noted that nine students (four electrical, two plumbing, two cosmetology and one welding) were registered in ACE IT/Dual Credit programs in September of 2014.
This month, a total of 19 students are registered in the programs (seven welding, three refrigeration, two residential construction, three cooks, one plumbing, one auto service, one esthetics and one aircraft maintenance).
Students who are registered as secondary school apprentices get a jump-start on their work based on training in a trade while still in high school.
Under the apprenticeship program, a student needs to complete 480 hours of paid training within 90 days of graduating from high school. The program gives 16 credits/four courses towards graduation.
Students are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship after graduation if they satisfy the requirements.
School District 53 had 16 students graduate last year as SSA students. Kitt said 11 of these students should receive the $1,000 scholarship.
Currently, the district has 12 SSA students.
Kitt said the economy really drives what happens.
He noted a lot of construction companies are looking for third-year apprentices right now.
He pointed out that the Okanagan Correctional Centre would be needing apprentices as well.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
