Testing Out Trades at TA Structures

Salmon Arm Secondary Grade 11 student Micheal Banman (right) uses the crimper tool to secure a copper ring on one end while Grade 10 school mate Liza Eliseeva (left) secures another coupling on the other end preparing their irrigation pipe for testing.

27 School District 83 students used their hands to explore trades at one of the region’s higher profile employers.

Students from the district’s five main high schools descended upon Sicamous and TA Structures where they spent the day trying out five trades that are performed at the modular home and houseboat construction company. Students spent time doing construction, cabinet making, welding, electrical and plumbing during the four-hour event. Five groups of students spent 35 minutes at each station doing various activities on the tools such as constructing a doghouse, creating “kicks” or bases for kitchen cabinets, bonding solid surfaces or Corian together, constructing two waterlines to flow into a bucket and to lay down some beads with the MIG and TIG welders. Students also witnessed an electrician demonstrating how to wire in a switch.

SAS Grade 11 Student Carlos Gutierrez-Carrion lays down a bead of adhesive to stick another corian piece onto their structure while Grade 10 school mate Tyler Wilson looks on in the background.

The students also learned much about the Sicamous company. The employer has over 40 workers and contractors working for them constructing modular homes and houseboats. It takes the company roughly eight weeks to complete a modular build from start to finish and they roll one modular home a week out of its mill. TA Structures is on the verge of getting a huge order of 37 camp shacks to go to a Northern BC mine. That’s enough to keep the company going for one year. So, with that work is the need for skilled trades. The company is especially looking for laboures and carpenters as the work intensifies.

SAS Grade 11 Student Lily Brown drills in a screw to secure the flooring for a doghouse being constructed by the students.

Students also were told if they were interested in experimenting more in the trades that they can sign up for SD83 & Okanagan College’s Trades Sampler program. They were also informed about the Youth Work in Trades and Youth Train in Trades Programs that they can take where they can get not just high school credits towards graduation but also credits towards foundation-based trades programs. SD83 wishes to thank TA Structures for its dedication of workers and supplies towards this event.

SAS Grade 11 Student Scarlett Hutchinson tries her hand at MIG welding while TA Structures Welder Clayton Bergen looks on.

If you wish to learn more about SD83 trade programs or any other career opportunities for students, please come to our Work Experience/Dual Credit nights taking place at JL Jackson Secondary on Wednesday, October 15th and Thursday, October 16th at Pleasant Valley Secondary. Both evening go from 5:30-7PM. If you have any other trade-based field trip ideas, please get hold of George Richard at 778-824-1188.