A trio of Southwest students were among 80 students province wide to earn $1,000 scholarships through the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Industry Scholarship Program.
Beechy's Matthew Willmek, Stewart Mayer from Herbert and Swift Current's Mason Bennett were among the 2012 winners. The scholarship program, initiated under the leadership of the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission in 2009-20, provides financial benefits to graduating students and helps motivate them to explore careers in the skilled trades.
"The Commission is delighted to award 80 scholarships this year - 40 more than last year," Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission Board Chair Garry Kot stated in a press release. "The increase in scholarships is due to significant financial contributions by the Government of Saskatchewan through the Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program, and from growing industry support. More scholarships mean more youth will be working in the skilled trades to help meet Saskatchewan's labour market needs."
Willmek, who was presented the Peak Mechanical Partnership Award of Excellence, is interested in pursuing a career as a Plumber or Refrigeration Mechanic. Meyer is aiming to pursue an Agricultural Machinery Technician program. Bennett, who was saluted with the General Contractors Association Scholarship, is pursuing training to become a welder.
The Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Program enables high school students to explore career opportunities in the skilled trades and obtain hands-on experience. Program participation is increasing. Currently, 265 schools are registered in the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Program, with more than 3,500 students participating. Since the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Program's inception in 2006-07, over 11,300 students in grades 10-12 have registered and more than 3,700 have completed the program and received certificates. Of this total, 475 have registered as Saskatchewan apprentices. To date, 36 participants have achieved journeyperson status.
The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission selects the schools that receive the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Industry Scholarship and the school selects the scholarship winner. To qualify for the scholarship, the graduate must complete high school and the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship program, as well as complete one level of apprenticeship or one year of post-secondary training in a designated skilled trade.
For information about the benefits of the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Program, or on how to contribute to the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Industry Scholarship Program, visit www.saskapprenticeship.ca or call 1-877-363-0536.
