The College of the Rockies (COTR) and Prince Charles Secondary School’s (PCSS) seventh offering of the foundation carpentry program kicked off in February.
Offered at the high school by both PCSS and COTR instructors, the program provides both high school students and community members the opportunity to complete foundation-level carpentry training.
Students enrolled at PCSS are able to enrol in the carpentry program through the Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training (ACE-IT) program, which allows students to obtain both high school graduation credits and the first year of a trade program. This year’s carpentry program has 13 students enrolled, 11 of whom are a part of the ACE-IT program.
“Our partnership with Prince Charles Secondary School has been ongoing for several years,” said COTR trades and technology dean Jack Moes. “It is a great win-win, allowing us to leverage PCSS facilities while offering a beneficial program to PCSS students, as well as to others in the community. Graduates of the program also help to fill local labour market demands.”
The carpentry program includes a substantial hands-on learning component, with students framing an actual home during the course of their training. Completion of the foundation program provides students with a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge needed to seek entry-level employment in the construction industry or to market themselves to future employers should they be interested in seeking apprenticeships.
“The ACE-IT program, and the earlier versions of trades training programs that PCSS has partnered with College of the Rockies on, have been enormously successful for the young men and women of the Creston Valley,” said PCSS principal Scott Cobbe. “We have seen dozens of young people get their start in productive trades careers and pursue opportunities throughout the province and country. I am very happy to renew and consolidate our partnership with the college.”
To learn more about the program, visit cotr.ca/carpentry.
—COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES