Education

2 Winnipeg Free press - saturDaY, December 6, 2014 EXPRESSYOUROPINION FrenchandSpanishclasses start 1 th 0 January Visit:ustboniface.ca/educationplus orcall:204-235-4400,204-233-0210or toll-free1-888-233-5112 FORALISTOFCOURSESANDTOREGISTERONLINEGOTO: www.lrsdconed.net Phone204-237-8130 LOUISRIELSCHOOLDIVISION CONTINUING EDUCATION WINTER2015 CLASSES BEGIN INJANUARY COURSESIN: FITNESS LIFESTYLE&LEISURE COMPUTEREDUCATION GOURMETCOOKING ARTISTIC&CREATIVE LANGUAGE By Holli Moncrieff For the Free Press L ike many industries with an aging workforce, Canada's trades are facing a critical labour shortage in the years ahead. Many colleges, including Red River College and the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT), are doing what they can to attract more people to the trades. One of Red River's most popular courses is the Railway Conductor Program. Within 15 weeks of starting the program, students are guaranteed employment within the railway industry, says Sam Levy, Red River College's Program Manager for Trades, Transportation, Industry, and Environment. "We still have a huge demand for railway conductors in the industry. Graduates of our railway conductor program have a really high employment rate — 95 per cent of our grads find jobs in the industry," he said. "It's a very good return on investment." Railway conducting can be lucrative. Levy says that conductors can make about $85,000 in the first year. "A demand currently exists within the industry. Things have bounced back in a huge way," he said. "It's a great career for people who can handle the pressure." Red River's Power Engineering program offers another fast track to a well-paying career. Since it received the Advanced Status designation from the Provincial government, the program requires 200 fewer hours for the practicum compared to other courses of its type. "This is the only program of its kind that's received recognition from the province. We teach to a really high level and ensure our students get a good training experience," said Levy. "We offer a fifth- class program here that gives students the theory and practical techniques they need to pass their certification exams." In order to make the trades more accessible, the college offers courses part-time and in the evenings. "People can take our welding courses in the evening, either to brush up on their skills or as an introductory point. These classes are a really good place to start," Levy said. "We have people coming in from other countries with lots of welding experience, but they need a Canadian context." Both Red River College and MITT offer customized onsite training to local companies by request. "As our college rebrands, we're happy to do customized training for groups. We can do it on their site or ours," said Greg Scheelar, Workforce Development Consultant for MITT (formerly the Winnipeg Institute of Technology). "We're always looking at how we can respond to labour market needs. What skills do we need and how best can we deliver them? If an individual needs employees, they come to us. We find the employees and train them." It's never too early to start learning a trade. The French Trades and Technical Program initiative at MITT gives Grade 9 students a chance to get their hands on some tools. Chantal Simard, Senior Consultant for the program, says it's the first time in Manitoba that junior high students have been able to take trades training in French. "Up until now, there hasn't been the option of taking the trades in French unless you were at the university level. This program allows francophone students to get a taste of the trades so they might consider the trades for a career," she said. "Hopefully we can offer career exploration to as many students as possible." The program started as a pilot project last year with just two classes of students. This year, there are four Grade 9 classes and two Grade 10. The students come to MITT for hands-on training on the equipment, and learn the theory behind each trade at their own schools. customized trades training at u of W, mitt, rrc "It's pretty amazing. The students are totally engaged. They look so professional and they know how to use the machinery," said Simard. "This is an opportunity that shouldn't be missed, but many do miss it because they're not thinking in terms of their future until they get to Grade 12." Some of the trades the students have expressed an interest in include aesthetics, hairstyling and carpentry. Several have said they want to be millwrights, pastry chefs or pursue other culinary arts after high school. "There are some stereotypes about the trades that we've tried to overcome for years. It's not seen to be as glamorous as university, but there are so many options in the trades," Simard said. "If we don't start the students off early, they often end up with other jobs and families and can't afford to go back to school." ● Top: A student welds during class at Red River College. Above: Jerry Kube checks out some of his work during a welding class. Photos by Darcy Finley

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