Apprenticeship Awards

4 h i G h e s t A c h i e v e M e n t A w A r d s 2 0 1 5 Building for tomorrow summer Youth camp suMMer cAMps A huGe hit T his summer, hundreds of young Manitobans will have a chance to explore the skilled trades at one of several "Building for Tomorrow" summer youth camps around the province. While they're having fun, these students will also be gaining insight into potential career options, giving them a head start on the future before they even start high school. Last year in Brandon, Assiniboine Community College (ACC) was one of the organizations that partnered with the Manitoba government to offer students in grades six to eight an introductory experience in carpentry or culinary arts. Designed to build awareness for youth in demographic groups currently under-represented in the skilled trades, the program reached out to young people who might otherwise have limited exposure to trades training. Tannis Hudson, Director of the Centre of Continuing Studies at ACC, accomplished this by putting the word out to immigrant-serving agencies, First Nations groups as well as Metis and Inuit organizations. Youthful participants had a choice of two different 10-day camp experiences: carpentry or culinary arts. Both options offered hands-on training in fully equipped facilities. ACC is a believer in the value of starting early, says Hudson. With 50 years of experience in providing certificate and diploma programs, the college has found that educational camps like Building for Tomorrow lead to graduates who are highly sought- after employees in the workforce. Following some basic cleanliness and safety training, the 15 students enrolled in the culinary arts camp jumped into action with expert guidance and direction. "Our Red Seal Chef, Derek May, was the instructor," Hudson says, "and he started by teaching the kids some knife skills." The young people worked all week toward the goal of preparing a banquet for their families. While training, they wore official chef's aprons and hats. It all happened at Brandon's state-of-the-art Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts. The institute has a complete pastry section, giant banks of commercial stoves and ovens, and workstations for 20 students. Having delivered a culinary arts program for 20 years, ACC knows a lot about teaching people how to cook. Hudson says it was encouraging to hear some of the young people tell her that they had never thought about becoming commercial cooks, but after their training they would like to give it a try. The situation was similar in the carpentry classes. After some preliminary training in the use of tools and safe work skills, the hands-on projects began right away. Students in the carpentry class were tasked with constructing a doghouse. Working together in teams, participants completed three small buildings in 10 days. Each one started with floor joists and wall studs, followed by siding and roofing. At each stage, students learned about the basic construction principles that guide carpenters in building durable, safe and sturdy structures of all shapes and sizes. Building for Tomorrow summer camp programs are open to youth between the ages of 13 and 16 and offer the opportunity to learn about a variety of skilled trades, from cook and carpenter to plumber, automotive service technician and hairstylist. More information about the 2015 summer camp schedule will soon be available at manitoba.ca/tradecareers.

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