YES 2 IT (Youth Exploring Skills to Industry Training) Trades Event

The YES 2 IT program brought together 48 Grade 9 students from across the East Kootenay region for an immersive day of trades exploration at College of the Rockies. Students rotated through multiple hands-on stations including the carpentry shop where they constructed functional bookshelves, and the mechanics shop where they identified automotive parts and checked fluid levels under professional supervision.

The event featured competitive elements with skills competitions in hand nailing, sawing, and Robertson screwdriver operation, adding an engaging dimension to the learning experience. Prizes were generously provided by major industry partner Teck Coal Ltd. and the Resource Training Organization, demonstrating strong industry support for youth workforce development initiatives.

Instruction and mentoring were provided by a diverse group including College of the Rockies welding, carpentry and mechanics instructors, Grade 12 ACE IT students, and current apprentices, creating a multi-tiered learning environment. WorksafeBC representative Jeff McKay ensured all activities met safety standards, emphasizing the importance of workplace safety culture from the earliest stages of trades education.

This initiative addresses the critical need for skilled trades workers in resource-dependent regions like the East Kootenay, where mining operations require ongoing support from carpenters, mechanics, welders, and other skilled professionals. By exposing students to these career paths before they make senior secondary course selections, the program aims to build a stronger pipeline of local talent for the region's resource industries. The collaborative approach involving educational institutions, industry partners, and safety organizations represents a comprehensive model for workforce development that other resource regions could adapt to meet their own skilled labor needs.