A number of Morley Community School (MCS) students may see bright careers in the near future. Sixteen students spent their spring break certifying in solar panel installation all while earning graduation credits and gaining safety certificates.
A number of Morley Community School (MCS) students may see bright careers in the near future.
Sixteen students spent their spring break certifying in solar panel installation all while earning graduation credits and gaining safety certificates.
"We know renewable energy is the future so getting them involved now to understand it is one of our main goals," said Janice Larocque, owner and president of Fast Labour Solutions.
The initiative was provided by Community Futures Treaty Seven in cooperation with Gridworks Energy and Fast Labour Solutions Ltd. and was provided through funding from the Alberta Indigenous Green Employment Program Grant under the Alberta Indigenous Relations' Climate Change Capacity Program.
"They haven't missed a day, they're all excited. Some of them are going to go to SAIT to continue their careers when they graduate," Larocque said. "It's overwhelming that they're here and they're getting practical experience."
The certificates the students earned were in fall protection, ground disturbance, WHMIS and standard first aid - each will be valid for three years.
The school's guidance counsellor selected each of the students for their dedication to their classes and for having good attendance.
Aleika Kaquitts, Grade 12, said she was happy to give up her spring break freedom to be trained in solar energy, a growing industry.
"Everyone is at home, you know, lazing around and then we're out here learning about something that we can use in our community," Kaquitts said, adding she learned a lot about the trade.
"(The sun) is right there we just have to access it. We just need more people in the industry to do it," Kaquitts said. "If you installed solar modules, that could basically be your electricity without having to pay your electricity bill. There's a lot of energy that comes from it, I learned."
Before the break began, the students were taken to Mark's Work Wearhouse for new work boots, gloves and hard hats.
The group's instructor for the installation, Jason Courtepatte, a project supervisor with Gridworks Energy Group, said he commends the students for their dedication to the program.
"They're super excited and passionate, I can tell, and channeling that passion and excitement into such an employable trade especially with the additional safety training provided by Fast Labour Solutions has been phenomenal," he said. "I can see these kids going great places and they have some pretty bright futures ahead of them."
Gayle Davis, who has been a teacher at the school for the last 15 years and has known some of the students since they were four years old, was impressed by their commitment.
"I'm so excited for them. This is really where they're starting to decide a pathway, and some of these kids have to pick between four big dreams. If they've got dreams, then they'll find paths," Davis said, noting she learned a lot of her students learn best by hands on practise.
"They can get bogged down by a lot of the textbook-style traditional teaching - they like to learn by doing," Davis said.
Above all, the students were challenged with a post-secondary paced learning experience, which Davis said is invaluable.
"They've proven to themselves, greater than anything else, that when they set their minds to something, they can get it done. I think that's the best transferable skill that we could give these kids," Davis said. "They've really shown their determination and their ability to push through even though some of the material was hard. Whether or not they go into this specific trade or, say electrical, they have fostered a belief that they can take these kinds of courses."
