In September 2016, ITA Youth Trades Training Program was updated to better reflect the flow of trade programs available for students in the K – 12 system. Below are some frequently asked questions that will get you started in becoming more familiar with the expanded program and refreshed names.
If you have further questions, please contact youth@itabc.ca.
Q: WHAT ARE THE NEW PROGRAM NAMES AND LOGOS?
Q: WHY DID THE PROGRAM NAMES CHANGE?
A: The program names were changed to create more clarity for students, educators and parents. Acronyms such as ACE IT (Accelerated Credit Enrollment in IndustryTraining) were long and difficult to explain. The new names better reflect how students move through trades programs. Plus, they are easier to remember!
Q: DID YOU DO ANY CONSULTATIONS BEFORE THE UPDATE?
A: Yes, ITA conducted extensive consultation with a comprehensive group of stakeholders, including students, educators, parents, and industry. There was a unanimous need for earlier access to trades for students and a streamlined youth trades training program.
The current and updated names were also tested with students and educators. The updated names were easier to follow as well as to remember.
Q: WHEN WILL THE NEW NAMES BE LAUNCHED?
A: Fall 2016, with a transition year to follow.
As of the 2017-18 school year, all ITA Youth Trades Training programs will be referred to by the new names and logos.
Q: HOW WILL THE RENAMING AFFECT STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND SCHOOLS?
A: The new names were developed in conjunction with the Ministry of Education. New course names, course codes and registration information will be provided to schools prior to January 2017.
The format and content of the programs will stay the same, but additional program funding will provide additional opportunities for students to try the trades earlier in their education, and identify if the trades are a good fit for them.
Q: WHEN WILL I RECEIVE NEW PROGRAM MATERIALS AT MY SCHOOL DISTRICT?
A: By October 2016 you’ll receive brochures, posters, trades guides and tear sheets to help students get acquainted with the new programs. For digital resources, teaching materials and info sheets please visit http://youth.skilledtradesbc.ca/educators/educators-resources/
Q: WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL OF THE RESOURCES I ALREADY HAVE FOR ACE IT AND SSA? CAN I STILL USE THEM?
A: Yes, feel free to use the resources until they run out.
ITA will continue to update and refine resources throughout the year and provide these to schools.
New and old materials can be used interchangeably until the 2017 school year.
Q: WHAT IS THE YOUTH WORK IN TRADES AWARD?
A: It is the new name of the SSA Scholarship. Eligibility and selection process remains the same.
Q: WHY ARE ITA’S YOUTH PROGRAMS EXPANDING?
A: On April 25 2016, the Ministry of Jobs Tourism and Skills Training announced that ITA will receive an additional $7.8M over three years to support the ITA in delivering expanded youth programs to increase student enrolment in the trades.
The new funding will result in getting more youth into trades and connecting more than 5,000 students each year with trades training by 2018/19 – the goal of the B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: Re-engineering Education and Training.
Q: WHICH PROGRAMS ARE EXPANDING?
A: Here is a brief overview of which programs are expanding:
Q: WILL THESE PROGRAM CHANGES IMPACT THE FUNDING?
A: Funding for Youth Trades Training Program has expanded to help implement more youth programs and the creation of new ones. There will be no changes to previous funding structures.
Q: WHEN WILL THE STUDENTS START USING THE NEW CODES FOR COURSE SELECTION?
A: New course codes will be available to students in January 2017 when selecting courses for September 2017.
Q: CAN I SWICTH A TECH ED OR SHOP CLASS INTO A SKILLS EXPLORATION COURSE TO ACCESS THE $100/STUDENT PAYMENT?
A: No. Tech Ed classes and shop classes do not qualify for Skills Exploration.
Classes must meet the requirements of Skills Exploration to receive the $100/student payment. More information can be found on the ITA Youth website. http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/kindergarten-to-grade-12/teach/pdfs/curriculum/appliedskills/2014skills_exploration1012.pdf
Q: IF I OFFER CARPENTRY, AUTOMOTIVE, ELECTRICAL, WELDING AND MACHINING MODULES AT MY HIGH SCHOOL, CAN I ACCESS THE TRADES SAMPLER $250/STUDENT PAYMENT?
A: No. The Trades Sampler program is only offered through a post-secondary school at this time.
Q: ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM CONTENT?
A: No, only the name is changing to Youth Discover the Trades.
Q: ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM CONTENT?
A: Yes, the Maker Day program is changing to Maker Way which is now taking “Making” into the classrooms. Over the past 3 years, teachers have been receiving training through Maker Days.
Now it’s time to move this into daily delivery. The funding and application are still the same, but the focus is shifting towards events with students instead of teachers. We will still continue to provide teacher events.
Q: WHAT IS YOUTH EXPLORE TRADES SKILLS?
A: It is a 120-hour course delivered in the high school which covers 3 trade modules plus a common core module consisting of safety, essential skills and workforce readiness.
Q: WHY SHOULD A STUDENT TAKE YOUTH EXPLORE TRADES SKILLS?
A: This course is meant to provide students an opportunity to explore trades before committing to the Youth Train in Trades program. This will help students choose the right trade, as well as better prepare them for trades training.
Q: IS YOUTH EXPLORE TRADES SKILLS A MANDATORY PREREQUISITE FOR YOUTH TRAIN IN TRADES?
A: No, it is not. However, when seats in Youth Train in Trades programs are in high demand, School Districts may consider participation in Skills Exploration as an indication of interest in and readiness for trades training.
Q: WHAT IS YOUTH EXPLORE TRADES SAMPLER?
A: Youth Explore Trades Sampler is a 300-hour course delivered by a post-secondary institution which covers up to 5 trade modules plus a common core of safety and workplace skills, including workforce certificates.
Q: IS YOUTH EXPLORE TRADES SAMPLER NEW TO ITA?
A: Yes, It is a new program being funded through the ITA Youth department. Previously, these programs were funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and were offered by post-secondary institutions across BC, in partnership with school districts.
ITA is continuing to fund the same institutions that delivered the program previously and plans to increase the amount of seats funded in 2017-18.
Q: WHICH POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS ARE OFFERING A YOUTH EXPLORE TRADES SAMPLER PROGRAM IN 2016/17?
Q: WHAT IF MY LOCAL POST-SECONDARY SCHOOL DOESN’T OFFER A YOUTH EXPLORE TRADES SAMPLER PROGRAM RIGHT NOW?
A: Talk to your local post-secondary school about applying to ITA to run the Youth ExploreTrades Sampler program for the February 2017 or September 2017 intake.
Q: CAN MY SCHOOL DISTRICT APPLY TO RUN A YOUTH EXPLORE TRADES SAMPLER PROGRAM?
A: Not at this time. ITA will provide an opportunity for school districts and independent training providers to submit a request for the 2017/2018 school year.
Q: WHY SHOULD A STUDENT TAKE A YOUTH EXPLORE TRADES SAMPLER PROGRAM?
A: This course is meant to provide students a more in-depth opportunity to test trades before committing to the Youth Train in Trades program. This will help students choose the right trade, as well as better prepare them for trades training.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS TO STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN ACE IT? WILL SOMETHING ELSE APPEAR ON THEIR TRANSCRIPT?
A: The new courses will not appear on student transcripts until June 2018.
For all students currently completing an ACE IT program, there will be no change.
Q: ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE COURSE CONTENT?
A: No, just the name is changing to Youth Train in Trades.
Q: IS ITA GOING TO CHANGE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE YOUTH TRAIN IN TRADES PROGRAM TO ALIGN WITH THE AGE CRITERIA FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION?
A: This is under review.
Q: ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM?
A: No, just the name is changing to Youth Work in Trades.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SSA AWARD (SCHOLARSHIP)?
A: It is now called the Youth Work In Trades Award.
The eligibility criteria and selection process remain the same. Note that in 2015-16, eligibility for the work hours to qualify for the award was extended to December 31 of the school year in which the student turns 19.
Q: IS THE SSA SUPPORT GRANT STILL GOING TO BE AVAILABLE?
A: Yes, just the name has changed to Youth Work In Trades Support Grant. There has been an increase in funding for these grants.