September 12, 2014
Province Announces New Opportunities for High School Students to Train for Good Jobs
– – –Major Expansion, State-of-the-art Shops Classes will give Students a Head Start on College, Careers: Premier Selinger
The Manitoba government is investing in a major addition and renovations to Garden City Collegiate that will house new state-of-the-art building trades programs, allowing programs to move toward apprenticeship accreditation with students receiving college-level technical training while still in high school, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“The Manitoba government is focused on creating skills-training opportunities for students that match the needs of industry and create good jobs,” said Premier Selinger. “This investment in Garden City Collegiate will help strengthen links to post-secondary training and apprenticeships for students, and help employers meet the growing demand for skilled workers.”
The new 7,000-sq.-ft. addition to the collegiate will give students the opportunity to learn on cutting-edge equipment, earn college-recognized credits, receive practical work placement experience and get credit toward a certified apprenticeship when paired with the High School Apprenticeship Program, the premier said.
The 4,000 sq. ft. of existing shop space will be renovated through the province’s Skill Build Shops fund to house three building trades programs including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), introduction to building trades and electrical. These new programs have the potential to graduate 60 to 75 Level 1 apprentices each year, Premier Selinger noted.
“In Seven Oaks, we want high school to be a launch pad into life,” said Brian O’Leary, superintendent, Seven Oaks School Division. “This project will help launch our students into apprenticeships, college-level trades courses and careers. It’s very exciting.”
The new technical training seats and dedicated shops for woods, metals and electronics will benefit approximately 1,400 Garden City Collegiate students as well as 800 middle-years students from H.C. Avery and École Seven Oaks Middle School.
“The addition and renovation will provide students with technical training and the opportunity to get the hands-on experience needed to enter the trades,” Premier Selinger.
Garden City Collegiate is a grade 9 to 12 English/immersion high school. Since 2008, the Manitoba government has invested more than $7.3 million for upgrades to the collegiate including an exterior wall replacement, upgrades to two science labs, a roof replacement, and a new grooming room and elevator, Premier Selinger said.
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