Monday, October 4, 2018 / TheNewswire / The Educational Partnership Foundation (TEPF) High School Trades and Climate Change program offering students credited, professional trade training, launched in Edmonton in September 2018.  An official launch of the program will take place at the Ironworkers Union 720 Training Facility (6303 Roper Road) on October 10, 2018 starting at 11:30 a.m. Special guest speakers, government, school district, trade unions and corporate stakeholders will in attendance.

 

Speaking at the event on behalf of the Alberta Government will be Honorable Sandra Jensen, Minister of Alberta Infrastructure. Edmonton-Centre MLA David Shepherd will speak on behalf of the Government and city of Edmonton.

 

“The pilot High School Trades and Climate Change program has been overwhelmingly successful in Calgary and Lethbridge. 50 percent of students have been hired into a trade. The program literally changed student’s lives,” explains Barb Simic, TEPF President and CEO. “We want this opportunity to be available to more Alberta students and are now expanding the program to Edmonton.”

 

The program was created in response to a predicted labour shortage of over 48,000 workers in Alberta by 2025 combined with a high school dropout rate nearing 10,000 students per year. The High School Trades and Climate Change program partners with local unions to offer students a one semester high school credited course taught off-campus by journeymen in state-of-the-art union training facilities. This fall, grade 11 and 12 students in Edmonton will receive introductory training with Ironworkers, Pipefitters and Millwrights trades.

 

“We are very pleased to partner with TEPF to provide students with the best trades career training available. We believe our courses can give students the opportunity to choose a trade career right out of high school,” says Scott Papineau, Alberta Ironworkers Training Instructor.

 

“We are excited to give our students this opportunity to explore a trade career by partnering with the TEPF high school Trades and Climate Change program,” explains Julian Pacholik, Department Head, Edmonton Public School Board.

 

The Edmonton Trades and Climate Change program is currently funded by the Alberta Government, Workforce Development Trust and RBC.

 

Click here for testimonial video

        

For over 27 years TEPF has been making a positive impact on the lives of students by playing a key role in the partnerships between business, educators, government and school communities. TEPF provides opportunities for students to explore possibilities which empower their freedom to choose their future. TEPF delivers programs in three key areas: literacy, environmental citizenship and trades careers.

 

Founded in 1991, The Calgary Educational Partnership Foundation was established as a registered charity to provide support for students and teachers in the Calgary and the surrounding area. During its 25th Anniversary year, the organization changed its name to The Educational Partnership Foundation (TEPF) and in 2018 has expanded to offer all programs throughout Alberta.

 

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For more information please contact:

 

Barb Simic

President and CEO

403-437-8373