June 23rd, 2016

On June 9, 2016, the WRDSB’s Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program held its  annual appreciation dinner for students and employers at the Galt Country Club. This fun evening gives our OYAP students a chance to celebrate their success in the program with their families, while acknowledging the hard work and value the employers add to their experience.

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The Galt Country Club was a beautiful venue for our celebration dinner. Thank you to all of the GCC staff for all of their hard work to ensure our evening was a success!

Students received certificates of achievement, awarded for outstanding achievement in their job sectors for the 2015-16 school year. Students participated in many different kinds of sectors, such as hair styling, electrical, welding, auto service, cabinet making and may more.

This year, a new award was created celebrating women in trades. The award was designed to highlight some of the amazing female students from our board who are breaking down barriers by excelling in non-traditional trade areas.  Historically, women in trades have primarily been represented in the service sector, with apprenticeships in areas such as hairstylists, educational assistants and child and youth workers. The first Women in Trades award was given to three students who not only demonstrated the necessary criteria to be nominated but did so in a non-traditional area. Congratulations to Erika McPate – Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, Jade Hewett – Residential Electrician and Chantel Taylor – Electrician.

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Erika McPate and Jade Hewett receive their Women in Trades Award from Lisa Weidinger, Program Awareness & Communications Coordinator for OYAP.

Approximately 500 Grade 11 and 12 students participate in OYAP each year in sectors that represent a large variety of apprenticeship opportunities: motive power, service, construction and industrial. OYAP offers students the opportunity to experience the skilled trade of their interest at the apprenticeship level through a co-op placement. Students also receive career-related certificates and training, such as WHMIS and Working at Heights as part of OYAP. For more information on OYAP, please visit their website.

Congratulations to all of our students who received certificates:

Bluevale CI Cameron Heights CI
Denver Harold Truck & Coach Technician Mather Minnis Welder
Dylan Stokes General Carpenter Danny Nguyen Hairstylist
William Schell Machinist
Dual Credit Elmira District SS
Majd Entaklei Truck & Coach Chantel Taylor Electrician
Jordan Higdon Welder/Fitter Travis Shantz Electrician
Louis Ditner Baker
Joseph Dynerowicz Welder
Forest Heights CI Galt CI
Andrew Lockey Robotics Manufacturing Tim Dwyer Electrician
Marshall Weiss Electrical Connor Robertson Automotive Service Technician
Glenview Park SS Grand River CI
Brad Conran Automotive Service Technician Robert Lacey General Carpenter
Bailey Ruttan Automotive Service Technician
Braydyn Brown Early Childhood Educator
Huron Heights SS Jacob Hespeler SS
Jade Hewett Residential Electrician Nick Kruschel Cabinet Maker
Vinny DiBenedetto Industrial Electrician Kayla Snyder Educational Assistant
Blake Fowler Heating & Cooling
Kitchener-Waterloo CI Preston HS
Eddie Mikac Chef Trainee Tristen Rivet Welding
Issac Orth Electrical Warehouse Randy Snow Automotive Service Technician
Sean Purvis Mechanic Lochlan Hope Welding
Sir Johan A Macdonald SS Southwood SS
Devon Peeler Millwright Andrew Centeno Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
Caleb Grant Educational Assistant Beslynn Granger Hair Stylist
Samantha Dilgert Educational Assistant Erika McPate Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
Waterloo CI Waterloo-Oxford DSS
Matthew Crawley Electrician Jacobi Ritzmann Welding
Aaron Jantzi Small Engine Technician
Tyler Poole Plumber

Thank you to all of our employers:

Great Canadian Coaches & Holidays, Habitat for Humanity, R.K. Machine, Faded Barber Shop, Cooksville Steel, Snyder Metal Fabrication Ltd., Altruck International Kitchener, Fowler Tire, Gosen Electric, Snyder Metal Fabricating Ltd., Never Enough Thyme Catering, 2g Robotics, Danco Electric, Desousa Auto and SNG Electric.