Guest Blog: Simon's Story

This post comes from Patti Tebbutt, District Principal of Career Programs.
~ Kevin Godden

One of our school district Career Programs students, Simon, recently completed the Level 1 Carpentry ACE IT (Accelerated Credit Enrollment to Industry Training) program offered at Abbotsford Senior. Simon's mom, Joan, a university graduate who had encouraged her two older daughters to pursue the post-secondary education route, told us: "the family was quite unaware of what opportunities were available in the area of trades and technical training."

Joan recently took some time to share what this program meant to her son and to their family. She expressed how much she worried about Simon throughout his elementary school years, mostly because he did not excel like his older siblings. Simply put, learning didn't come easy for him. She mentioned how much she worried about what the future would hold for her son. Things started to shift for Simon in middle school where woodwork was introduced. It was there that the family saw Simon’s love of working with his hands. They saw what positive feedback and a feeling of accomplishment did to develop his self-esteem.

In his mom's words: "High school came and Simon found more of what he excelled in (although some of the academics remained very difficult). He was well liked and spent hours volunteering for the school in sound tech and lighting. His confidence grew. As everyone made their plans for post-secondary, I worried – what would Simon do?”

“In his grade 12 year, I was put in touch with the district Career Program staff. As soon as we made contact with Rick McDonald, Trades and SSA Coordinator, and heard the possibilities for Simon, I started to relax for the first time in 11 years. Rick spoke with enthusiasm about the program but was also extremely supportive. He helped our son decide which program would be best, and now being on the other side of it, I realize how right he was. He continued to answer our many questions and respond quickly to emails and phone calls. I am not sure he really knows how much that meant during a big time of transition. Simon's school counsellor was also very supportive during the transition from high school and knew a lot about the trades programs.”

“During Simon’s time in the carpentry program, we saw transformation. It was the first time in all of his school years I didn’t have to nag him about homework. In fact, it was the first time ever I saw him actually study for his tests (without someone sitting beside him). He told us what they were learning each day and what they were building. Simon spoke very highly of his teacher, Red Seal Carpentry Instructor, Peter Klose. I was transitioning myself as well during this time. It was the first time I left Sean to his work, with no reminders and no nagging. It was time to sink or swim.”

“The district trades program was a wonderful transition for Simon. The environment of a high school was familiar to him, yet he also felt he was attending a post-secondary by the way he was treated. He truly matured during his time in the course. Today, he is working for a local construction company after being recommended by the Career Coordinator for an interview. He loves his work and has plans to return to school to complete the different levels of carpentry to eventually obtain a Red Seal.”

“I apologize for the long email, however, I wanted you all to know what this opportunity meant to our family. We are forever grateful to the Abbotsford School District for all of the years, but especially for the Trades Program."

Pulling back from this one student’s story, we see that while B.C.'s economy is growing, we are also facing a tipping point. By 2022, there will be one million job openings in B.C. from a combination of retirees exiting the workforce and increased economic growth. About 44% of these openings are in-demand careers in the skilled trades and technical occupations. The fact is, there are not enough young workers enrolled in trades and technical training to meet future demands – across all sectors throughout the province. A recent survey showed that 59% of young adults in this province simply don't know how to get started. They don't have the right information about what it's like to work in skilled trades and technical positions.

We encourage our youth to enrol in trades and/or technical training, and we have a plan to help them. The Abbotsford School District currently offers 14 distinct Career & Technical Program Options. All students enrolled in the Abbotsford School District are eligible to apply. For more information please visit our website.

And from the recent provincial Skills BC competition, just a couple of examples of current Abbotsford Career Programs students thriving: they each won gold medals!

~ Patti Tebbutt, District Principal, Career Programs