September 13, 2006 - 5:00pm
Building a solid foundation for their future, 16 Cowichan Valley Secondary School students added an extra credential to their Grade 12 graduation – certification from Malaspina University-College, Cowichan campus, as framing carpenters.
"It gives students a great opportunity to get a leg up by getting their Grade 12 credit plus first-year credit from Malaspina," said Betty Milne, Director of Middle and Secondary Education for School District 79, Cowichan Valley.
Students who complete the program receive 16 credits toward secondary school graduation. They also complete the certification requirements for Malaspina’s five-month Carpentry Framer Technican program, which makes them eligible to become apprentice carpenters. Most already report finding work in the field.
An added bonus was the distribution of $3,650 in awards at the class graduation Sept. 8. Students Luke Cree, David Flesch, Kevin Morgen, Dylan Reuter and Kevin Wanney each received $500 Awards of Excellence. Morgen also received the $150 graduate award.
Fred Cooper Memorial Awards, worth $500 each, were given to Craig Ruttan and Patrick Phelan. Those awards were donated by the family of program instructor Jim Cooper, whose father framed grain elevators in Alberta in the 1930s.
Instructor Jim Cooper said his father’s experience inspired him to enter the construction industry 35 years ago, gaining the skills he now passes on to students.
The combined high school-Malaspina program responds to the needs of the students, the community, and the industry.
"Government and industry have asked us to be responsive to the needs of the community," he said. The community benefits from projects completed by the students, the students benefit by gaining work skills and experience, and industry benefits by having trained workers available.
Milne said the projects completed by the students were presented at a graduation slideshow. "It was great to see what the kids had done – way more than I anticipated."
Starting in the spring semester, students attended regular classes during the day and then attended the construction program starting at 3 p.m. During the course, students completed the framing for a house and for a two-storey workshop.
"When you talk about work ethic, these students have just been through a real life experience," said Cowichan Interim Principal Maria Lauridsen. She noted the program is supported by the school district, which helps identify students able to handle the workload, and by the community through contribution of awards for outstanding students.
"It’s a real partnership between School District 79 and Malaspina," she said.
In addition to the award winners listed above, the challenging program was completed by Dave Carey, Joel Collard, Alex Collison, Jay Hood, Jesse Keene, Tyler Parkhouse, Greg Smith, Cody Snyder and Josh Williams.
The secondary student carpentry program was successfully offered in 2004 as a pilot project, encouraging the School District and Malaspina to offer it again in 2005 and 2006. Negotiations are now underway for the 2007 spring semester. If the program is repeated, up to 18 secondary students will be able to enrol next spring.
Instructor Cooper would like to see several female students take advantage of the dual credit program. He noted that four women have enrolled in the regular fall semester Carpentry Framer Technician program, demonstrating that women are interested in the field.
Cowichan campus is also expanding its carpentry training. Starting in March 2007, the campus will offer a level two carpentry apprenticeship program. For information, contact Malaspina University-College, Cowichan, at 746-3565.
Tags: In the Community
