Questions…Decisions…What Should I Do? What Will I Become?
With high school graduation looming, you may be asking yourself some big questions about your future career. It’s not easy making one of the most important decisions in your life before you even graduate from high school. And it’s very few people who know “what they want to be when they grow up” from an
With high school graduation looming, you may be asking yourself some big questions about your future career. It’s not easy making one of the most important decisions in your life before you even graduate from high school. And it’s very few people who know “what they want to be when they grow up” from an early age.
Some people settle for a job they don’t really like but find a hobby they love. Don’t settle—turn that hobby into a job you love! With literally hundreds of careers from which to choose, the skilled trades might offer the way to make it happen for YOU !
What do you love to do?
Do you like to cook and create in the kitchen? Become a chef! Do you like to be outside, working on your garden? Look into horticulture, landscaping and forestry! Are you interested in theatre and film? How about set decorating or lighting? Have an entrepreneurial spirit? Be your own boss—lots of young men and women have started up their own businesses!
The list is endless—butcher, baker, cabinet maker, welder, crane operator, plumber, boat builder, aircraft mechanic, electrician there are over 500 one-of-a-kind careers just waiting for you to discover in the skilled trades!
Hey, if you don’t see yourself wearing a suit, sitting at a desk in some company’s cubicle, don’t forget: you have options. Do you want the satisfaction of seeing what you have accomplished at the end of each day? Do you want to use your physical abilities and ingenuity? Pick a trade! If you want a secure career at the end of your education and don’t want to risk not finding a job, again, there are options. Apprenticeship trades are in demand! Baby boomers are retiring and Canada has a serious shortage of skilled workers. Want a job? Get a trade!
Graduate from high school
Like university or college, the entrance requirements for most apprenticeships include Grade 12. A pre-apprenticeship may also be an option while you are still in high school.
Earn while you learn!
“Apprentices not only benefit from the ‘earn while they learn’ dynamic of the apprenticeship training process, they also become confident of the security and accomplishment that mastering a trade provides.”
– Ken Georgetti, President, Canadian Labour Congress
Pay less tuition and avoid big student loans
“During high school, I knew I wanted to go to school for the least amount of time possible. When I graduated, I chose to pursue my apprenticeship because I figured that I would at least be getting paid. I didn’t want to go into college or university and come out with tens of thousands of dollars of debt for something I wasn’t completely sure I wanted to do.”
– Cheyenne Ruether, 1st year apprentice, Auto Body Technician, Edmonton, AB
Graduate with a higher starting salary
A recent survey of apprentices completing their first year of in-school training in Canada shows that they expect to earn an average annual income of between $52,000 and $55,000 upon graduation. Compare this to the responses received from undergraduates expecting to make $42,250 and college grads expecting to make $45,400.
Like to travel and work anywhere in Canada ?
Depending upon their trade, apprentices who have obtained their certificate and attained Journeyperson status can write an inter provincial exam to obtain a Red Seal endorsement and practice their trade right across the country! To travel with a trade, go to www.red-seal.ca.
And there’s more…
Through the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant, registered apprentices who complete their apprenticeship training and receive their journeyman/journeywoman certification in a designated Red Seal trade could be eligible to receive up to a maximum of $4,000. Visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/ apprenticeship.shtml for more information.
Get the job you love and the life you want to live!
Explore your interests, skills and abilities. Unlock your potential and find a career you will love! Your future starts today. Go for it!
Want to know more?
www.careersintrades.ca
Information on apprenticeship and skilled trades careers
www.apprenticetrades.ca
Information on apprenticeship training and how to get started
www.red-seal.ca
Information about Red Seal trades and contact information for provincial and territorial apprenticeship offices
www.ellischart.ca
Information about apprenticeship training requirements in each province and territory
www.workingincanada.gc.ca
Information about careers that are in demand, their average salaries and work environment
www.hrsdc.gc.ca
Information about Government of Canada programs for skills development
http://www.skillscanada.com
Information about skilled trades and national skills competitions
www.councils.org
Information about various industry sectors and job opportunities
The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum-Forum canadien sur l’apprentissage (CAF-FCA) is the only inclusive national body that brings together all of the stakeholders in Canada’s apprenticeship community. Visit www.caf-fca.org for more information. CO
Canadian Apprenticeship Forum-Forum canadien sur l’apprentissage,
116 Albert Street, Suite 812, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G3