Manitoulin Employers Sign on Apprentices from Rainbow Schools

Five students from Manitoulin Secondary School have officially signed on as apprentices with employers from Manitoulin Island through the Rainbow District School Board’s Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).

"OYAP is designed to introduce students to a career path that will lead to skilled trades," says Jean Hanson, Director of Education for Rainbow District School Board. "OYAP provides students with the opportunity to develop trade related competencies and accumulate hours toward a skilled trade as a registered or non-registered apprentice. We are delighted that employers from Mantioulin Island are giving young people an opportunity to get a head-start on a career.”

Grade 12 student, Jason McMurray, is an Electrician Apprentice with Brad Parkinson at Parkinson Electric Ltd. Grade 11 student, Ashlyn Gelaznikas, has signed on as a Hair Stylist Apprentice with Linda Case at Hair Trends and Tans. Jenna Sinclair, Grade 11, is a Parts Technician Apprentice with employer Wayne Legge at Manitoulin Chrysler. Andrew Wood, in Grade 11, is an Automotive Service Technician Apprentice at Manitoulin Chrysler. Grade 11 student, Jordan Alston, has signed on as a General Carpenter Apprentice with Shawn Taylor at Taylor & Sons Construction.

Rainbow District School Board’s Co-operative Education program provides Grade 11 and 12 students with the opportunity to participate in a work experience placement in a skilled trade while completing an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Employers get to build a pool of young qualified workers while reducing costs associated with recruitment, hiring and training.

Manitoulin Secondary School has an active Co-operative Education program, with a total of 49 students on placement with local employers in the 2007-2008 school year. Twenty-eight of those placements, in both the first and second semesters, were in the skilled trades.

How does an employer sign on a student? The employer and Co-operative Education teacher identify students on placement in a skilled trade as ready, willing and able to begin an apprenticeship. The student is then referred to the Apprenticeship Office for official registration under the sponsorship of the employer.

Rainbow District School Board’s Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program has flourished since its inception nine years ago. "Many of our students are registered as apprentices," says Hanson. "As we look ahead to our 10th anniversary, we hope to expand the program to benefit even more students and more employers. It’s a win-win partnership for local businesses and young people."

For more information or to participate, please call Sue VanHorn, Co-operative Education teacher, Manitoulin Secondary School, 705-377-5321.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.