What is ‘WORK’?

The Youth in WORK program is a partnership between  Skilled Trades BC and the BC Ministry of Education. WORK lets students begin the work-based training component of an apprenticeship program while still in high school. Students ‘earn while they learn’ getting dual credits toward both their high school diploma and apprenticeship on-the-job training.

WORK provides a smoother transition from school to work and a quicker route to trade certification and a paycheck.

How does it work?

Secondary School Apprentices are on the job with a sponsor employer as a registered youth apprentice. WORK students complete up to 480 hours of work experience that count toward their apprenticeship and 16 graduation credits.

To be eligible for WORK, students must be attending high school and under the age of 20 at program completion and finish the program within three months after graduation.

Youth apprentices in this program must, like other apprentices, start by getting a job. This means they must find an employer who will hire them as an apprentice and commit to their training as a sponsor.

Youth WORK in Trades

Students who work with a qualified tradesperson (i.e. licensed mechanic, electrician, butcher .. . .) can sign up as a WORK student and receive:

• 16 high school credits if they acquire 480 hours of paid work
• $1,000 scholarship if they:
  (a) complete the 4 required courses (obtained through 480 hours of paid work)
  (b) have a minimum of 900 work based hours registered with Skilled Trades BC, six months after graduation
  (c) achieved a C+ average in their Grade 12 courses.

Students can acquire their hours during school time, summer, evenings, holidays and weekends. Students also have the opportunity to apprentice with a school district tradesperson in carpentry, painting, HVAC, plumbing and electrical.

After Graduation, Work BC offers financial support to Apprentices to continue Training on the Red Seal Pathway