Students taking part in E-PPRENTICE

Whipping up a meal of lentil and vegetable stew, Jackson potatoes, risotto, Lyonnaise potatoes, potatoes croquettes, and being peppered with theory questions by Chef Lorraine is a regular lab day for the four students from School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap) who are part of an Okanagan cohort of an e-pprentice dual credit program in Professional Cook 1 (PC1) training through Camosun College in Victoria.

These four students are part of SD83’s much improved e-pprenticeship program in PC1 in conjunction with Camosun. They are part of an “Okanagan” cohort, which also includes students in Oliver. As you may know, apprenticeship programs have two distinct components, the technical training and practical training (carried out under the guidance of a certified industry professional). In this case the theory is done online, and students do not physically have to travel to Victoria. Dual credit means that upon successful completion in the program students receive not only high school credits but also post secondary certification.

Along with the online studies SD83 students spend four hours each week doing a cooking lab at A.L. Fortune’s kitchen where they work with Red Seal Chef Lorraine Cook. They are also encouraged to work in the food industry while taking the training.

Over the six-month training period, apprentices will cover the same Industry Training Authority (ITA) curriculum, and ultimately, will be assessed in precisely the same manner as all other Professional Cook apprentices in British Columbia.

Cook, an alumni of the Camosun program who lives east of Osoyoos, was asked to be the Red Seal Chef Lab Assistant to the Okanagan cohort of the e-pprenticeship. “I’m not sure they realized quite the distance between the two groups,” she said wryly. However, when she found out that two of the students at the ALF program were in Grade 12 she decided she’d make the drive so they’d have the opportunity to take the program before they graduated.

During the session the students were very engaged in what they were creating.

Grade 11 student Marissa is from Salmon Arm Secondary and likes taking the theory online. She enjoys going at her own speed where where she can go through the curriculum she knows faster and then taking more time on the information that she doesn’t. She says typically she does some theory each day.

Hudson is a Grade 12 student at A.L. Fortune and is interested in pursuing a career in the food industry. He also likes doing the theory online but says he typically dedicates one day a week to just theory and then that frees up other days for other activities. He completed all of his necessary courses for graduation so he is only taking the PC1 course this semester.

Kayden, also a Grade 12 student at A.L. Fortune, would prefer in-class learning rather than online but he is making it work. He isn’t sure if this will be a career path for him but says the information and skills he is learning are important. “We eat every day. It is a good thing to know how to do and I’ll always use it.”

Annika is a Grade 10 student at A.L. Fortune and she doesn’t mind the online learning. She had finished up all of her needed courses in first semester, except for Math 10 which she is doing this semester along with her PC1 training.

Online learning requires a considerable amount of self-direction and discipline so is not for everyone. However, its flexibility, industry participation, and ease of access for apprentices in various economical, geographical or employment situations make this program extremely relevant and sustainable.

Are you interested in learning more about dual credit courses in SD83?
SD83 offers a number of dual credit opportunities however the time to apply is NOW. Please check out more information on programs offered, timelines and deadlines at https://career.sd83.bc.ca/ or contact the career counsellor at your high school.

Also, earlier this school year a session was held for parents on dual credit opportunities. This information session was recorded and you can view the recording here.

As mentioned, dual credit programs help students get a head start on post secondary career choices including opportunities in the trades, post secondary technical training, and a variety of job ready certificates. Designed for Grade 11 and 12 students, these opportunities help students be successful, get advanced recognition and perhaps apprenticeships for the work they are already doing! The best part is that most of these opportunities are tuition free and students may receive dual high school and college credits, as well as Industry Training Authority Level 1 credit in most trades courses.  Recent changes in the age eligibility requirements with the ITA allow students who have graduated to receive this support as well, provided this is part of their official post-secondary transition plan.  Dual credit opportunities for SD83 students have included automotive repair, automotive service tech, hairstylist, PC1, carpentry foundation, welding foundations, electrical foundation, plumber foundation, heavy duty mechanic, and millwright. There are also non-trades opportunities such as health care and office administrative certificates as well!

Talk to the career counsellor at your high school to learn more about these opportunities!