The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Commission (SATCC) awarded over 100 graduating students with a Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Industry Scholarship this year, and three of those lucky students were right here in Moose Jaw.
Central Collegiate students Aman Ahmed and Mohamed Rizvi each received a scholarship towards their interest in automotive service, and Vanier Collegiate Institute student Danton Hartman received a scholarship for his future career as an electrician. Rylee Sayers of Caronport was also selected.
Each recipient must participate and complete the SYA program, and indicate their intent to pursue a career in the skilled trades.
For Hartman, the SYA program was a way to preview the different trades available, and to get a feeling for what it would be like working in his trade of interest.
“The program was really awesome for me actually, I really enjoyed the training I got. I was still in high school but still got a feeling for the trades and what I can expect after high school,” said Hartman.
“I really think it's just a great opportunity for anyone that is even remotely considering trades, because even if halfway through, you find out that the trades aren’t for you, then you didn't really waste anything,” Hartman added. “You just got to learn more about what you could be interested in after school.”
Participating in the program helped Hartman decide to pursue training as an electrician.
Over 3,300 students were enrolled in the SYA program in 2018-19, and those who go on to register as an apprentice within five years of graduation are granted 300 trade time hours as well as their registration fee and Level 1 training tuition waived.
Hartman is set to begin as an electrician at the beginning of July, and he’s grateful for not only the scholarship but the aforementioned benefits.
“Obviously the scholarship is great, it helps with schooling,” said Hartman. “[The hours and waived fees] are both really great opportunities, really. It really gets your foot in the door.”
