On day one, they worked on site prep: leveling gravel, drainage and building stairs.
On day two, they focused on creating concrete footings.
On day three, they are working on building forms for the concrete foundation.
“You don’t need to tell them to get to work,” says teacher Greg Cormier in reference to the grade 11 and 12 students who are helping to build the Bowen Children’s Centre (BCC) Infant and Toddler Wing. “And they seem to be able to figure out things to do when one job wraps up. They’re a great group.”
On the third day, twelve students participating in West Van Secondary’s Youth Train in Trades - Carpenter Level 1 program (formerly known as the ACE-IT Carpentry program) already appear competent. Focused on their work they’ll approach Cormier every now and then to ask a question or check in. In one day, they accomplish roughly what four paid workers would, saving BCC close to $1,500 per day.
Cormier (who happens to be the parent of a recent BCC graduate) says the opportunity to work on an actual construction site offers the students a view of the breadth of a carpenter’s work, and will also give them the chance to see their work turn into an actual building.
“In class, we make concrete forms but we never get to fill them with concrete, and we just end up taking them apart and re-building them again,” says Cormier. “Getting to work on site prep was really great because that’s an important part of the job, and even though its not part of the curriculum, we’re going to come back here to help build the walls and the roof.”
This program’s curriculum offers an entry into the world of trades that is equivalent to a first year program BCIT or Kwantlen College. It also allows them to continue with the academic portion of their schooling.
“There is really no downside,” says grade 11 student Graham Christensen.”I knew that I didn’t want to go to university so I figured I’d better find something else, but being in this program doesn’t close any doors.”
The big door that it does open is to the world of employment.
“There’s one student in this group that is squeezing in his academics and is already working,” says Cormier. “A kid that is keen will have no problems finding work coming out of this program. I’ve had three of my students go to one employer in the past two years.”
Cormier says he also hears feedback from parents and other teachers about how the program shifts kids attitudes in positive directions.
“The parents of one previous student told me that his grade 12 year, after he took this program, was his best ever academically. Participating in this program really motivated him,” says Cormier. “And teachers have told me they see kids happier than they ever have been when they’re taking this program.”
Rockridge student Max Chambers echoes these sentiments.
“I feel like I’m getting a lot done as opposed to say English class, when I sit there and wonder what I’m doing there. The schools don’t really seem to advertise these programs very well, but if they did, I bet a lot more kids would take them.”
