High school students get familiar with skilled trades programs

Sam King has known since childhood he wants to one day work with his hands.

On Wednesday he spent the afternoon familiarizing himself with the skilled trades programs at Confederation College, knowing after high school he’ll likely find himself roaming the hallways at the Thunder Bay school as he pursues his post-secondary education.

“I came to the open house to learn more about construction because I’ve been into construction since I was a kid,” the 17-year-old Hammarskjold High School student said.

“I wanted to learn more about it so when I come to college I’ll know a bit more than I already know now.”

For King, the open house was a chance to scope out the school and give him a better idea what to expect when he lands at Confederation College in two year’s time.

For dozens of other high school students, the choice isn’t so clear.

But there’s no arguing the need for skilled-trades workers in the not-too-distant future, with estimates suggesting as many as 200,000 will be needed nationwide as an aging workforce reaches retirement age.

It’s those types of opportunities, combined with the promise of a good wage, that attracted 16-year-old St. Patrick High School student Adam Day to the open house.

“I just wanted to see the different types of trades there are, experience different things,” Day said.

“I like working with my hands and not sitting at my desk doing nothing all day. I want to be out there doing stuff.”

The money is key, he added.

“It’s a pretty big influence and more the reason why I’m doing it,” he said of his possible career path.

College president Jim Madder said the opportunity to have one-one-one conversations with instructors and learn more about what college life has to offer often helps students realize the hands-on-training available at Confederation College is a good fit.

“Open house is a window into life at Confederation College,” Madder said in a release. “It shows youth in our community the importance of pursuing post-secondary education and more specifically, how they can put their dreams to work with the help of the college.”

About 350 students from eight high schools in Thunder Bay took part in Wednesday’s event.