Several Northwest students are among 80 high school graduates with career aspirations in the skilled trades awarded $1,000 from the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) Industry Scholarship Program.
The scholarships provide financial benefits to the graduates and motivate them to explore careers in the skilled trades.
Steven Ballanger of Medstead Central School has received a scholarship in the automotive repair technician category.
Skyler Bossert, a Neilburg Composite School grad interested in carpentry, has earned the Allan Construction Scholarship.
North Battleford Comprehensive High School graduate Cole Tenetuik, interested in Instrumentation engineering, has been awarded the Jim Sinneave Scholarship donated by EECOL Electric.
Bryce Wasden of Spiritwood High School has received an award in the heavy duty equipment mechanic category.
Meagan Jorgenson, a Turtleford Community School student interested in a career in cooking, has also earned one of the scholarship.
An interest in meat cutting has earned Dakota Pilat of Unity Composite High School a scholarship.
The scholarships were initiated in 2009-10 by industry partners and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC). To date, 32 industry partners, including business owners, labour organizations, and two provincial government agencies have contributed $677,000 to the scholarship fund.
"These scholarships are a wonderful example of a public-private partnership that brings immediate and widespread benefits to Saskatchewan youth," Economy Minister and Minister responsible for the SATCC Bill Boyd said. "I congratulate the scholarship winners and I commend Saskatchewan industry for its initiative and foresight in supporting graduates to access careers that are well paying, in high demand, and key to the continued prosperity of Saskatchewan's economy."
"The Commission is delighted to award 80 scholarships this year — 40 more than last year," ATCC Board Chair Garry Kot said. "The increase in scholarships is due to significant financial contributions by the Government of Saskatchewan through the Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program, and from growing industry support. More scholarships mean more youth will be working in the skilled trades to help meet Saskatchewan's labour market needs."
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, 265 schools are registered in the SYA Program, with more than 3,500 students participating. Since the SYA Program's inception in 2006-07, over 11,300 students in grades 10-12 have registered and more than 3,700 have completed the program and received certificates. Of this total, 475 have registered as Saskatchewan apprentices. To date, 36 participants have achieved journeyperson status.
The SATCC selects the schools that receive the SYA Industry Scholarship and the school selects the scholarship winner. To qualify for the scholarship, the graduate must complete high school and the SYA program, as well as complete one level of apprenticeship or one year of post-secondary training in a designated skilled trade.
For information about the benefits of the SYA Program, or on how to contribute to the SYA Industry Scholarship Program, visit www.saskapprenticeship.ca or call 1-877-363-0536.
