Initiatives Prince George, School District 57 and CNC, have launched an awareness campaign, in an effort to make youth aware of the excellent career opportunities available in trades.

The Trades: It’s a Smart Move campaign was created in partnership with private industry sponsors, who are looking to hire skilled help now and in the future.

“We hope to drive home the fact that trades provide an excellent career path to high paying jobs and mobility,” said Randall Heidt, CNC director of communications and development. “This message is aimed not only at students, but key influencers in their lives, such as parents, teachers and counsellors.”

Students in the Career Technical Centre (CTC) program offered by School District 57 and CNC, can earn two-for-one credit in high school and college at the same time. During the program, students attend two semesters during Grades 11 and 12 at CNC and the other semesters at high school. The students graduate with their high school diploma and a CNC trade certificate in programs such as electrical, carpentry, professional cook and dental assisting.

“It’s a smart move to attend the CTC program at CNC and then progress through to journeyman and Red Seal trades training,” Heidt said. “We are delighted by the support of local industry, whose sponsorships made this campaign possible and IPG, who realizes how vital these highly skilled youth are to the future of northern B.C.”

The campaign is built largely around physical posters that will be placed in every high school in Prince George, as well as a highly informative and engaging social media component.

“If we are to capitalize on the economic opportunities in our region, we need to address the skilled trades shortages that are holding up our northern companies,” said Heather Oland, CEO of Initiatives Prince George. “There is a significant gap in the types of programs our kids are enrolling in and the realities of market demand. We hope this campaign will help bring those two forces better in line.”

Construction of the Trades: It’s a Smart Move campaign began this past summer, as SD 57 looked to private industry to help boost CNC trades enrolment and ultimately address local labour shortages.

“Perceptions are finally changing and people are beginning to realize that today’s trades require a high level of math, chemistry and physics,” said Brian Pepper, Superintendent of School District 57. “Becoming a skilled trades person is definitely a smart move in today’s economy.”

http://www.cnc.bc.ca/CNC_Programs/ctc.htm

http://www.facebook.com/CTCSmartMove