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Education/training

Giving a boost to electric dreams

Though the Toronto resident was introduced to the trade through his father, who owns an electrical company that employs 600, working in the field day in and day out has reinforced his love of the trade.

LINDA WHITE

[ 2002-05-22 ]

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OYAP electrician student Nick Kiparisas (right) gets practical instruction from Angelo Grossi, senior maintenance electrician at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

"The hands-on training is great," Nick Kiparisas, 17, says of his placement at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. "I learn new things every day."

It's also given the Victoria Park Secondary School student a head start on his career choice through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).

"I would have followed in my father's footsteps after Grade 12, but OYAP gave me a chance to get started while I was still in high school," says Kiparisas, whose interest in the trade peaked after working as a summer helper with his father's company last year.

"There are a lot of challenges in being an electrician and I love challenges," says Kiparisas, who attends school one day a week and works the remaining four. He'll continue his apprenticeship with his father's company when he graduates from high school this June.

OYAP gives students a chance to earn credits toward their high school diploma while the hours they work on a job are applied to journeyperson certification in a skilled trade. At the same time, they have a chance to earn a salary and receive financial assistance towards the purchase of tools and clothing required for their trade.

The program is open to students age 16 years and older who have completed Grade 10. Students who find they're not suited to the trades can return to a regular school program after one semester with no penalty.

"It's the best thing since sliced bread," says Pat Suddons, head of co-operative education at Victoria Park Secondary School. "It links my kids right into their love. It connects them to their school and their career. It's a wonderful program. I'm glad it's starting to sink in that there are opportunities in the trades out there. It doesn't close doors. It opens them."

She's pleased parents are encouraging their children to consider the trades as a potential career.

"More and more parents are starting to ask about OYAP," Suddons says. "I've had calls from potential employers looking for OYAP students. Parents will see that as really positive." Employers are also pleased with OYAP.

"Apprenticeship is the best way to learn," says Rudy Amrein, manager of plant operations and maintenance at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, where Kiparisas learns about repairing and maintaining a host of equipment.

"Nick fit in well," Amrein says. "He's a bit of a gopher and is a help to the team. There's no substitute for hands-on experience. The more experience you have the better. We have experienced electricians, which is good for Nick, who had high entry-level knowledge. He was born to be an electrician."

Amrein is pleased to play a role in the future generation of tradespeople. "We've been fortunate to have young students who are excited and eager about their future career."

Many of those students are pleased with their choices. "They look at the salary they can make and that's a real motivation," Suddons says. "But they're also following their interests. I tell students they have to follow what's in their heart and the money will follow."

Students take a course in entrepreneurial studies and examine labour market trends. "They learn that the chance of owning their own business may be coming. Students are thinking about different lifestyles. Perhaps owning their own business will allow them to spend more time at home one day."

Parents, meanwhile, can rest assured their children are receiving guidance and instruction as they get started on their apprenticeship. "Their kid is moving along," Suddons says. "Every hour they're getting closer to what they want to do."

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.