New Apprenticeship Graduates Enter Skilled Trades
Patrick Fougere has always loved preparing meals for his friends and family. After spending four years in university trying to decide what career path to take, he decided he wanted to prepare meals for a living, so he entered the apprenticeship system to become a cook.
After three years of apprenticeship training, in the classroom and on-the-job, Mr. Fougere has become a journeyperson in the cooking trade. He is now working for the Holiday Inn Select in Halifax as a first cook.
"The skills I learned throughout my university training have definitely helped me along the way," said Mr. Fougere. "But, the apprenticeship program has given me a mix of work experience and hands on learning techniques that I have been able to apply directly in my occupation, and that has been a huge benefit now that I am a first cook.
"I am now getting paid to do something that I love, and that is a great feeling."
Mr. Fougere is one of 381 apprentices who have become newly certified journeypersons and received certificates of qualification in the central and northen regions of Nova Scotia within the last year.
These newly certified tradespeople include automotive service technicians, cooks, carpenters, construction electricians, industrial mechanics, truck and transport mechanics, and plumbers.
The Department of Education presented certificates of appreciation to newly certified journeypersons at a celebration event in Halifax, today, Oct. 27.
"Apprenticeship is an essential first step toward a successful career in the skilled trades," said Education Minister Karen Casey. "With more jobs in the designated trades emerging every day, these professionals are poised to fill demand and take full advantage of the great opportunities that exist right here in Nova Scotia."
The Department of Education also presented awards of excellence to recognize one outstanding apprentice and two outstanding mentors.
The apprentice award of excellence was awarded to Everett Porter, an oil-burner technician with Oulton Fuels Ltd., in Windsor. This award recognizes a newly certified journeyperson who has made outstanding contributions toward forwarding the professional image of the employer, supporting others in the workplace, demonstrating a strong work ethic and being an active member of their community.
"We had a sign specially made for that back of Everett's truck that says 'get 'er done'," said John Oulton, Everett's mentor. "We made this sign because Everett always gets the job done efficiently and effectively, and the customer is happy with the result."
The mentor/coach award of excellence was presented to David Oulton, general manager of Madrid Industries Ltd. in Windsor Junction, and Rick MacKay, a metal fabricator with Simplexgrinnell in Dartmouth. The award recognizes an employer, supervisor, instructor or other mentor who has served as a positive role model and demonstrated qualities of superior teaching, enthusiasm for the trade and a genuine interest in the progress of apprentices in their program.
"Having the opportunity to help train an apprentice is beneficial for both my business and for the apprentice," said Mr. Oulton. "I benefit from the hard work and dedication of an apprentice trying to learn his or her trade, and the apprentice benefits from learning on the job, and possibly being hired once certification is obtained. It's a win-win situation."
The Department of Education's apprenticeship training and skill development division supports the advancement of skilled trades through training opportunities, certification and reinforcement of professional standards. The department has implemented Workit, a youth apprenticeship initiative to encourage young Nova Scotians to begin their apprenticeship training early. There are 4,000 apprentices working at more than 3,500 businesses in Nova Scotia. More information about the apprenticeship system is available at www.ednet.ns.ca .