OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN – School District 53, Okanagan – Similkameen is one of 26 districts across B.C. that will receive funding from the Industry Training Authority (ITA) to continue the district’s Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA) Program for the 2014/15 school year.

$20,000 will help fund the SD 53’s SSA program, a dual-credit program that allows students who are 15 years of age and over, in Grades 10, 11, or 12, to begin the work-based training component of an apprenticeship program while still in high school.

“This program allows students right in high school to complete training in trades programs, and earn credits to graduate from high school,” said Linda Larson, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen. “This is a great program for students to get a head-start in their careers and learn valuable skills in their chosen trade.”

Through SSA programs, students “earn while they learn”, receiving credit toward both a high school diploma and an apprenticeship. In 2013/14, there were 952 new students registered in SSA programs across BC, representing a 7.5 percent increase from the previous school year. As of October 31, 2014, there are a total of 1,732 youth apprentices registered in SSA programs in the province.

Finding an employer who will sponsor their apprenticeship is one of the biggest challenges facing youth looking for a career in the trades. Today’s ITA funding will help school districts cover staffing costs that will support and guide youth through the B.C. apprenticeship system by helping them to secure jobs and employer sponsorship.