On Feb. 10, 2015, up to three-dozen students will enter a classroom at NorKam secondary — and, for some of them, they’ll immediately start earning university credits alongside their secondary credits.
That day marks the start of learning at the NorKam Trades and Technology Centre and, thanks to a partnership with Thompson Rivers University, students in its mechanical trades and and construction trades courses will graduate in June with four credits at TRU.
Sheryl Lindquist, the Kamloops-Thompson school district’s principal of secondary transitions, said the construction and mechanical-trades sampler courses will be administered and taught through TRU faculty to students in grades 10 to 12 at the centre.
“This is an opportunity to attract students to trades and technical careers by exposing students to the trades in a meaningful way — and to career options they might not otherwise consider,” said Bryan Daly, TRU’s acting dean of trades and technology.
“Together, TRU and SD73 will help graduates to be ready for more advanced training or the workforce by the delivery of up-to-date and relevant curriculum and by the provision of a head start to hands-on, work-based skills training.”
Lindquist said it’s hoped the partnership will also help with student retention in the trades.
She noted that, through the 120 hours of studies, students get “a good feel for the trades and would be able to choose well” when transitioning to TRU.
The courses are designed to expose students to some of the basics of the trades, instilling practical life skills as well, Lindquist said.
“Kids don’t have common sense around tools,” she said.
“A lot of kids have no exposure to grandpa’s shop to learn that.”
At the end of the semester, students will have 16 credits toward their high-school diploma and another 12 that can be applied to studies for a bachelor of arts or general-studies degrees.
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