AdvancedEd

2005 News Releases

April 25, 2005

Half-million dollars in apprenticeship scholarships to enhance career options

Edmonton... As many as 500 high school students will receive $1,000 apprenticeship scholarships this year, up from 50 in 2004. Students enrolled in the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) are eligible for the scholarship to help them continue their apprenticeship training after graduation. The funds available for the scholarships will increase from $50,000 to $500,000 in 2005.

"By making ten times as many RAP scholarships available, we are demonstrating a strong commitment to apprentices, tradespeople and industry," said Advanced Education and Technology Minister Dave Hancock. "We want to encourage more young people to enter the trades and then make it easier for them to continue on this rewarding pathway. Their participation in this program helps them to discover the many career options that are available to them."

RAP allows high school students, as early as Grade 10, to earn on-the-job training hours in their chosen apprenticeship program as well as credits toward high school graduation. Students also earn an income of at least minimum wage while they are working. The scholarships are awarded annually based on employer, teacher or counsellor letters of recommendation, comments from students indicating their interest in a career in the trades, and the students' academic marks.

"This increase in RAP scholarships will help develop the future skilled labour force in Alberta," said Brian Bickley, Chair of the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. "By providing 500 scholarships, we are emphasizing the fact that skilled workers are valued and necessary in Alberta's economy."

The RAP scholarships were established in 2001 by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board, industry and the Alberta government. The RAP Scholarships provide $700 to recipients when they attend their first period of technical training, and $300 when they attend their second period of technical training.

There are currently more than 1,200 high school students enrolled in the Registered Apprenticeship Program. Findings from a 2001 research study show that 83 per cent of RAP students say the program gave them an incentive to do well in school, and 98 per cent said RAP helped them be more aware of their career options.

Backgrounder

About the Registered Apprenticeship Program

  • The Government of Alberta's Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) began in 1991 with five students. Today, there are more than 1,200 students participating in the program.
  • RAP allows high school students to become employed as apprentices and get on-the-job training hours while they complete high school. RAP students earn high school credits and apprenticeship on-the-job training hours with no delay in their high school graduation.
  • The RAP scholarships were established in 2001 by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board, industry and the Alberta government.
  • RAP allows students flexibility in balancing their work and school commitments. Some RAP students attend school for one semester and work for the next. Others work part-time throughout the school year or on holidays and weekends. RAP students are paid at least the minimum wage.
  • RAP apprentices can choose to apprentice in any one of Alberta's 51 trades. Some of the most popular trades for RAP students have been:
    • Automotive Service Technician
    • Electrician
    • Heavy Equipment Technician
    • Carpenter
    • Hairstylist
    • Welder
  • RAP helps to increase the number of skilled tradespeople available to industry. There are currently 1,750 apprentices who started in RAP, have graduated from high school, and are continuing full-time in apprenticeship training. In addition, 700 students who began their apprenticeship in RAP have gone on to become certified in their trades.
  • Findings from a 2001 research study on RAP show that:
    • 83 per cent of RAP students say the program gave them an incentive to do well in school
    • 94 per cent of RAP students say the program made them more interested in completing high school
    • 98 per cent said RAP helped them be more aware of their career options
    • Nearly 100 per cent of both the RAP students and their parents say they would recommend the RAP program to other students
  • For more information on Alberta's Registered Apprenticeship Program or the RAP scholarships, visit www.tradesecrets.org.