The Registered Apprenticeship Program, or RAP, allows high school students who have entered into an apprenticeship contract in one of the trades to earn their Alberta High School Diploma and work toward completing their first year apprenticeship hours at the same time.
RAP students divide their time between an approved work site and high school. They are full-time students who fulfill the academic requirements for the Alberta High School Diploma. RAP students may earn up to 40 credits (representing a total of 1000 hours) for their on-the-job training as registered apprentices.
Their school schedule may be arranged to accommodate work at their apprenticeship job, or they may work after school and on the weekend. RAP students are paid at least minimum wage.
Since RAP students can complete a significant portion of their first year apprenticeship hours while still in high school, they may be able to proceed directly into the first session of post-secondary technical training shortly after graduating from high school.
RAP is arranged on an individual basis. To qualify for RAP the student must work with a certified journeyman, register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, and have a “Blue Book”.
Students interested in pursuing a trade may consider a Work Experience program to assist them in deciding if this is the right career choice.
To learn more about apprenticeship and the trades visit: www.tradesecrets.org.
See Ms. Halkier for more information about the RAP program at CCHS.