For Albertan high school students, the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) provides exposure to various skilled trades internships and apprenticeships as they work towards finishing their high school education. Careers: The Next Generation facilitates RAP and has worked with schools to connect students to apprenticeships and employers for over a quarter of a century. RAP provides students with high school credits and on-the-job experience, and they earn hours towards certification, which accelerates their training.
H Wilson has proudly supported Careers: The Next Generation and the RAP program since 2010, welcoming high school students looking to get a head start on their careers into the shop. With the help of RAP, we were fortunate to meet one of our current mechanics, Riley Chipp. Mechanics play an essential role in our organization; they maintain our fleets and keep all of our equipment and projects moving. Recruiting for certain positions, like mechanics, can be difficult, and, thankfully, companies and students can work together through RAP to solidify their future workforce.
When Riley was in grade 11, he started his placement with H Wilson and was eager to get hands-on experience as a mechanic. “I always wanted to be a mechanic, and the Registered Apprenticeship Program was the best opportunity for me to get a head start,” said Riley. “My first placement was with H Wilson, which was great because I could stay in town, and there was a variety of work to do. Also, I knew RAP catered to the student’s experience, and if I wanted to change my area of focus or go on-site, I could make the change during a future placement.”
Over time, Riley settled into his role and felt like a part of the team. “When I started with H Wilson, I thought this would be a one-time placement, but the guys in the shop were great, and I learned a lot about the equipment. No two days were the same, which appealed to me. Eventually, I was offered a job at H Wilson, so I took it. It was what I was looking for in a career, and it was an easy decision.”
“This August marks six years with H Wilson, and looking back, I would still retake the program,” said Riley. “There are so many benefits to RAP, and I’d encourage anyone who wants to pursue a career in trades should look into it. No matter what, you gain experience. If you don’t like your first semester, you can change in your second semester, and if you like your placement, you’re a year ahead.”
