Forty high school graduates, including one from Weyburn, were awarded $1,000 each from the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) Industry Scholarship Program to provide assistance as they embark on careers in the skilled trades. These young people have completed the SYA Program and have met the scholarship criteria.
Weyburn Comprehensive School graduate Cody Miller received the EECOL Electric (Jim Sinneave) Scholarship to pursue a career in welding.
The scholarships were initiated by industry partners and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) to encourage interested high school graduates to enter into the skilled trades as "first choice" careers. To date, 17 industry partners (business owners and labour) and two provincial government agencies have contributed nearly one-half million dollars into the scholarship fund.
"Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. "This important scholarship program helps attract new apprentices directly from high school to help meet Saskatchewan's growing need for tradespersons."
The SYA Program enables high school students to explore career opportunities in the skilled trades by encouraging interest and facilitating hands-on experience. Student participation remains high. Currently there are approximately 250 schools registered in the SYA Program, with over 4,600 students participating. Since the program's inception, more than 8,500 students in grades 10-12 have registered and over 2,500 have completed the program and received certificates. Of these, over 300 have registered as Saskatchewan apprentices. To date, seven SYA participants have achieved journeyperson status.
The SATCC selects the schools that receive the SYA Industry Scholarship and the school selects the scholarship winner. In order to receive the award, the graduate must complete one level of apprenticeship or complete one year of post-secondary training in a designated skilled trade.
