Plenty students earn provincial apprenticeship scholarships

By Ian MacKay

Two students from North West Central School in Plenty have earned provincial apprenticeship scholarships.

Chase Halter of Dodsland and Cameron Swan of Plenty were among 110 students from 68 Saskatchewan communities to receive Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Industry Scholarships through the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.

"Skilled tradespeople are in high demand in Saskatchewan and essential to the growth of our province," Immigration and Career Training Minister Eric Schmalz said in a statement congratulating the recipients.

"New apprenticeship registrations are increasing, and this is a positive indicator for high school graduates looking to start their careers in the skilled trades," added Jeff Ritter, executive director of the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.

Students can redeem the $1,000 scholarships within two years by either completing a recognized pre-apprenticeship program in a designated trade or registering as apprentices and completing Level 1 technical training in Saskatchewan, the statement said.

Teachers involved in Saskatchewan's Youth Apprenticeship program nominate top students for the scholarships, with preference given to those who have already started preparing for careers in the skilled trades and plan to pursue apprenticeships after graduation.

More than 1,500 students have received the scholarships since the program began in 2009. The scholarship fund has received $1.2 million in contributions from 60 companies, unions and associations, while more than 2,500 students are currently enrolled in youth apprenticeship programs across Saskatchewan.