A number of high school students from Nanaimo Christian School are dipping their toes into the world of trades thanks to a partnership between them and Vancouver Island University. (NCS)

By Jordan Davidson

learning life skills

‘It’s been really rewarding:’ Nanaimo high school students get a taste of trade work at VIU

Sep 19, 2024 | 4:17 PM

NANAIMO — A number of local high students are dipping their toes into the world of skilled trades thanks to a partnership between schools, the province and Vancouver Island University (VIU).

The Skilled Trades B.C. program at VIU allows Nanaimo high school students to try out a number of trades to see if they spark an interest, including electrical, automotive, carpentry, and welding courses.

Principal of Nanaimo Christian School (NCS) Jon Roper said this program started over a year ago and allows students to get a taste of the university experience.

“Taught by a university trades teacher in their professional setting, and then our hope is that it also might spark their interest in some other trade samplers that are available, maybe some duel credit options offered through VIU and start them on the path down to whatever trade they might be interested in.”

The students earn high school credits for attending the sessions at VIU twice a week, with 16 students from grades 11 and 12 participating and another 10 on a waitlist.

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Students in the Youth Explore Trades program must complete 120 hours of hands-on experience.

There are 56 students from the region participating in a similar, more intense Trade Sampler course, which requires 300 hours of hands-on work to complete.

Gideon Wray is a 17-year-old grade 12 student at NCS enrolled in the program with an interest in mechanical, with a planned future career as a heavy-duty mechanic.

He said he’s also hoping to learn more about other trades while he has the chance.

“I hope by doing this I get a foot in the door for… I hope to apply to VIU within a year for that course. I hope this gets me connected to some teachers ahead of time so I have a head start when I do eventually attend.”

Wray said the VIU instructors have been very helpful and patient with the students, some who had never held a tool in their hands before this program.

High school students in the Youth Explore Trades program can try their hand at a number of different trades at VIU not offered at NCS due to a lack of space and enrollment numbers. (NCS)

Fellow graduating student 17-year-old Lucy Klan has tried her hand at a number of different trades so far, including electrical, welding, and woodworking.

Klan said she’s enjoyed learning some hands-on skills from the instructors with years of experience.

“It’s been really rewarding to work under the teachers that know so much. They are just never stumped at anything we bring to them and they’ve seen it a thousand times, so that’s been really cool just to see how much they know, and how much you can know about trades and how little all of us know.”

While she said a career in electrical or cabinet-making interests her the most, she’s thrilled to learn other mechanical skills she can use in her daily life.

“After two days of doing it, I already know more about fixing a car than either of my parents I think. The fact that now I know how to change the windshield wipers, or a lightbulb or something, and I can save myself $200 by just doing that myself, it’s pretty cool.”

They are hoping to expand the program in the future so students have a chance to try out more trades, including culinary arts and hairdressing.

Over a dozen NCS students in grades 11 and 12 are particpating in the Skilled Trades BC program, with another 10 on waiting lists. (NCS)

— with files from Ian Holmes.

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On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNOW