Trades Exploration Program

The Trades Exploration Program represents a significant workforce development initiative designed specifically for workers displaced from regional industry closures including the Canal Flats mill and Target store. Over 15 weeks, participants will experience approximately two weeks of intensive training in each of six critical trades: Carpentry, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright), Welding, Electrical, Heavy Duty Mechanic, and Piping Trades including plumbing and steamfitter/pipefitter work. The program goes beyond basic skills training by incorporating Heavy Equipment Operation instruction using professional simulators and comprehensive safety certification including H2S awareness, Standard First Aid, Construction Safety Training Systems, Fall Protection, and Confined Space Entry. Academic support is built into the program structure, with English and trades mathematics upgrading provided during two morning sessions per week for students who need to meet prerequisites for advanced training. The program concludes with practical career preparation including resume writing and interview skills coaching, positioning graduates for immediate transition into either full-time foundation programs, apprenticeships, or direct employment in the trades. This marks the first such comprehensive program offered in Cranbrook in over a decade, utilizing the college's full-scale shop facilities and experienced instructors from established trades programs to ensure industry-relevant training standards.