The IEC Catalyst , June 2010 |
The WHT’S NXT Conference: An Apprenticeship Journey
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The H-W District School Board and the IEC collaboratively organized the first ever conference –‘WHT’s NXT: An Apprenticeship Journey’- for current and past registered Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) students.
On June 4th, 2010, OYAP students, their parents and teachers gathered at the STARRT Institute of Mohawk College to receive professional development regarding their apprenticeship journey, after they graduate high school. The conference aimed at providing students with connections to various associations and employers, labor market information on specific trades and also motivating the students to make informed decision about their future career paths. Keynote speaker, Ryan Porter spoke at the occasion stressing on the importance of young people dreaming their own dreams and taking actions.
The conference included various exhibitors including LIUNA, Hamilton-Halton Construction Association, Mattina Mechanical, and others to provide the students with information regarding their continued Apprenticeship training. Additionally, sector specific panels were set up allowing the students to meet face to face with people working in the areas they are interested in.
Employers and workers from Construction, Motive Power, Industrial and Service sectors shared their experiences with the students, focusing on success factors in the specific sectors they are in.
OYAP is a School to Work program that opens the door for students to explore and work in apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the Cooperative Education program. Students who participate in OYAP are trained in a specific set of skills leading to a registered apprenticeship program and will be able to obtain apprenticeship hours and high school credits at the same time.
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