The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District will again spotlight careers in the skilled trades with an upcoming event.
The fourth annual Skilled Trades Showcase is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, Jan. 29 at Thomas Haney Secondary School (32000 116 Ave.) from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“The goal of this event is to promote awareness and opportunity in the skilled trades,” said organizer Brad Dingler, coordinator of district partnerships.
“As ever our goal is to expand the event to include more employers and offer it to the community and previously non-targeted senior students who may be looking for employment.
He said last year the district was overwhelmed by the response from the community and students. It attracted industry personnel from 40 sectors, post-secondary training providers from BCIT, KPU, and VCC, and more than 800 participants.
“Because of the success we saw last year we will now be expanding to include more students, parents, and interest community members,” said Dingler. “We will be expanding to include the entire high school, so we have more room for displays, demonstrations and break out rooms.”
School District 42 offers seven dedicated trades training programs in partnership with post-secondary institutions.
In addition, the district reserves seats in programs that it cannot run directly at our facilities. This year the district was able to offer 160 first-year apprenticeship seats for students – the greatest number of seats for trainees based on district enrollment in the province.
The event will feature a panel discussion featuring senior managers and experts from organizations such as Bosa Construction and BC Hydro. There will also be Women in Trades breakout session, a trades expo, simulators, numerous exhibitors and more.
For information see apprenticeship.sd42.ca.