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Education/training

Nailing down the nuts and bolts of success

The Timothy Eaton Business and Technical Institute has distinguished itself as a strong partner of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).

AUNIE EDWARDS

[ 2002-04-24 ]

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According to OYAP carpentry apprentice Joseph Mandell (right), here with co-op teacher Archie McKean, the program works because "they co-ordinate the theory with practical exposure."

For the past two years, OYAP has offered a fully-funded carpentry apprenticeship to qualifying Grade 12 students.

With dedicated educators and smart programming, Timothy Eaton B.T.I. has filled 10 of these coveted seats. It's an impressive number, since only 50 seats across the entire Toronto district have been made available since the program's inception.

"We identify students with an interest and an ability for carpentry as early as Grade 10," says Archie McKean, co-op educator and assistant head of tech at Timothy Eaton.

Having recognized an affinity, the teachers implement a curriculum that will meet all high school requirements while enhancing the student's ability to succeed in the field.

"For example," McKean says, "Grade 11 and 12 math courses will compliment the applied mathematics essential for construction." Essentially, these students receive almost two years of preparatory training before they interview for a seat in the program.

Joseph Mandell is one of McKean's students who was accepted in OYAP's carpentry apprenticeship.

"Mr. McKean is an excellent teacher," Mandell says. "This course is hard enough and without his preparation I wouldn't be doing nearly as well as I am."

And if McKean is a mentor, Mandell is clearly a protege.

"Joe is one of the top students in the program -- he really wants this and I have absolutely no doubt that he will do extremely well," McKean says.

The course begins with eight weeks at Local 27, a training facility for the Carpenters Union of Toronto. Students put in a full day of classes and are faced with at least three hours of homework each night.

Subjects such as applied mathematics, drafting skills related to drawing and reading blueprints and construction terminology can keep an apprentice studying late into the night.

But it's not strictly mind games at Local 27.

"They co-ordinate the theory with practical exposure," Mandell says. "Right now, we're building computer desks for patients at Sick Kids Hospital -- we have several other projects that are designed to give us training on the tools."

Mandell must accumulate 7,200 hours before he can write his qualification exam, and it will take between three and a half and five years to get there.

Next month, he will begin his first job placement and he's eager to get started.

"I really like working with my hands and I'm prepared for the challenges -- and earning a pay check won't hurt," Mandell says.

As a certified carpenter himself, McKean has a strong appreciation of the incredible opportunities OYAP offers high school students.

"Apprenticeship is education in its purest form," McKean says. "The students aren't simply learning a trade -- they're learning about working in the business and they're experiencing realities beyond the classroom."

Not surprisingly, this form of education is sometimes characterized as a "baptism by fire." "It's critical to prepare these kids because they won't be treated like high school students -- they'll be treated like first year apprentices and they'll be paid first year apprentice wages," says McKean.

The demands of a carpentry apprenticeship are large but so are the rewards.

"There's real satisfaction in creating something out of wood," says McKean."And when Joe is certified, he'll be able to work anywhere in Canada, in North America, even in Europe -- he'll be welcomed everywhere with open arms."

Education requirements

Students must complete a minimum of three in-school credits per year.

Schools are required to monitor the program offered in the workplace to ensure it meets secondary school credit requirements.

To receive their high school diploma, students must still complete all compulsory credits.

Apprenticeship requirements

Students must be placed with a qualified employer.

Students must follow an on-the-job training program based on the specific standards for the trade. They may also receive related theoretical instruction.