The Dixon elementary gymnasium buzzed as about 100 Grade 7 students served up pasta, decorated cupcakes and blow-torched pipes - all under the supervision of willing Richmond high school students and teachers.
This past week, the Grade 7s were able to try their hand at new trades during the inaugural Career Expo.
The Career Programs Office hosted the event at Anderson elementary last Friday and at Dixon elementary yesterday, with Cook and Gilmour attending.
Hair dressing, cooking, auto service and plumbing students from Richmond secondary schools - armed with their specialized tools and knowledge - spent the mornings with the eager kids, ready to learn about the four programs.
"The apprenticeship students really enjoyed it," said Career Programs district coordinator Terri Lockhart. "It was an opportunity to share their skills, and they showed a lot of pride in their work."
The idea was to introduce the kids to what secondary schools have to offer when they reach high school. The majority of apprenticeship programs are designed for Grade 12 students, but exposing the trades to younger grades gives them more time to think about their electives, according to Lockhart.
Although the programs are not new, Lockhart said raising their popularity has been difficult. So, as a new team at the Career Programs Office, they decided to create the Expo, with hopes that it will become an annual event.
"It is a challenge to get the word out there and to increase the awareness that these are being offered," said Lockhart. "Some of the staff don't even know about them. It's also to inform parents."
The mornings were divided into four workshops - Splitting Hairs, Yummy in the Tummy, Pit Crew Relay and Pipe Dreams. Students rotated through the circuit learning how to screw in hubcaps or braid hair. Local businesses also donated door prizes.
Kids walked away excited and interested in their newfound opportunities over the next few years, said Lockhart.
"It was fabulous. The kids were really involved and came up to me after telling me what they wanted to pursue in high school. It was quite cute."
The Career Programs Office is currently amidst applications for next year's apprenticeship programs. Generally, students apply at the end of Grade 11 for the following year. "It's important to note that these programs are just electives," said Lockhart. "Students can still go on to university afterwards."
Kwantlen University, for example, partners with the auto service program, allowing the Grade 12s to spend the month of May at the university.
For more information on what the Career Programs Office has to offer, visit http: //sd38.careerprograms.ca.
