link:
http://camosun.ca/learn/school/tt/
Enrolment Services and the School of Trades and Technology have combined forces to provide trades students and apprentices with a convenient one-stop-shop. As a result, the Apprenticeship office in Jack White 122 is a busy and crowded place these days.
Kay Henry is currently filling the position of Trades and Apprenticeship Administrator, replacing Karen McNeill, who is taking on a new challenge as the Women in Trades Coordinator. Kay supports apprenticeship students and instructors by maintaining statistics required by the college and the ITA, reporting grades, and handling a myriad of other responsibilities.
Kay now has two new office-mates: in February this year, Admissions Enrolment Facilitators Clare Vining and Hayley Sanchez moved into the Apprenticeship office, sharing the space with Kay. Despite the physical relocation, they still report to the Coordinator of Enrolment Services as they process applications, manage waitlists, and do what has to be done to fill all the apprenticeship classes. They also answer questions about funding, how to register with the ITA and other general trades-related inquiries that come their way via email, fax, phone and face-to-face drop-ins.
Camosun offers the technical training for 20 different apprenticeship programs, with a maximum 16 students per class. Each calendar year a schedule is created and Clare and Hayley work through it month by month to match apprentices with the appropriate type of training. Unlike students in other programs, apprentices cannot apply or register online; it all has to be done in person, by phone or by fax. Apprenticeship classes are scheduled with continuous intakes, and at any given time, each trade might have as many as four levels running concurrently, with classes running for four to ten weeks in length, depending on the trade. It’s a complex process that’s critical to the college’s revenue stream.
Efficiency and customer-service are the main reasons for moving Clare and Hayley out of the Campus Centre and into the Jack White building. The close proximity has allowed Kay, Clare and Hayley to form a more productive and efficient team. Trades students now find it easier to access the information they need to proceed through their apprenticeship journey. It’s also more convenient for trades instructors to follow up on behalf of their students. Anyone is welcome to drop by in person to JW 122 at Interurban campus, or call the apprenticeship phone line: 250-370-3846.
And if you’re wondering where to find Karen McNeill, she now works from an office adjacent to the Plumbing and Pipefitting shop in the John Drysdale building. Among other accomplishments, Karen successfully met her recruitment goals by filling two full classes of the new 12-week Women in Trades Exploration program. The School of Trades and Technology is now in the process of applying for additional funding to support another intake of this unique program.
Congratulations to Student Services and the School of Trades and Technology for pulling together as a team, providing a culture of excellence for our students!