Released on June 17, 2014
A career in the skilled trades has become an even more attractive option for 101 high school graduates. Each received a $1,000 Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) Industry Scholarship at their recent graduation ceremonies.High schools throughout Saskatchewan nominated students to receive the scholarships. They were awarded to students who completed SYA in high school, have planned their next steps forward to a career in one of the 49 designated trades and 20 subtrades, and have demonstrated how the $1,000 would help them in their future.
“This is one more incentive for talented students to enter into a career in the skilled trades,” Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission Board Chair Garry Kot said. “It is not only a financial incentive, but also recognition of their accomplishments to date. Industry and the Government of Saskatchewan are very focused on acknowledging our future labour force.”
The scholarships were initiated in 2009-10 by industry partners and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC). To date, 42 industry partners, including business owners and labour organizations, in addition to the Government of Saskatchewan through the SATCC and the Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship (SIOS), have contributed $1,092,000 to the scholarship fund.
“The scholarship recipients represent one of the most important resources that will grow Saskatchewan in future years,” Economy Minister and Minister responsible for the SATCC Bill Boyd said. “We are proud of their achievements and look forward to their accomplishments in years to come.”Each school that participated in the SYA program was asked to nominate at least one graduating student. To redeem the scholarship, the graduate must complete high school and the SYA program, as well as successfully complete one level of apprenticeship or one year of post-secondary training in a designated skilled trade.
The SYA program enables high school students to explore career opportunities in the skilled trades and obtain hands-on experience. Program participation is increasing. Currently, 287 schools are registered in the SYA program, with more than 4,300 students participating. Since the SYA program's inception in 2006-07, more than 14,000 students in Grades 10-12 have registered and more than 4,380 have completed the program and received certificates. Of this total, 724 have registered as Saskatchewan apprentices. To date, 126 SYA participants have achieved journeyperson status.
For information about the benefits of the SYA program, or on how to contribute to the SYA Industry Scholarships, visit www.saskapprenticeship.ca, call 1-877-363-0536, like us on Facebook at Sask Apprenticeship, or follow us on twitter @SKApprentice.
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For more information, contact:
Julie Folk Woldu
Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0187
Email: julie.woldu@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-4692