Intro to Trades Helps Students Find Their Career Pathway | Prairie Sky Collegiate

When Crescent Heights High School student Rylan McCullough entered Grade 10, he already had an interest in becoming an electrician. But like many high school students, he wasn't completely certain what that future might look like.

That changed when his mother told him about Prairie Sky Collegiate's Intro to the Trades dual credit program.

"I remember sitting in the car with my mom when she told me she'd received an email about dual credit courses, including a trades program," he recalled. "I was already interested in becoming an electrician, so I filled out the application right away."

What followed was a semester of hands-on learning and career exploration. Through the Intro to the Trades program, students are introduced to 12 different trades, taught by red seal journeyperson instructors from within MHPSD, Grasslands Public School Division and the Lethbridge Polytechnic. Students get to experience labs in multiple locations, including Lethbridge Polytechnic, giving them the opportunity to experience a wide variety of career pathways in a college atmosphere before making important decisions about their future. 

For Rylan, one of the greatest benefits of the program was discovering which trades were the right fit and which ones weren’t.

"Before the program, I thought I might be interested in plumbing, welding, and electrical," he said. "After trying them, I realized I didn't enjoy plumbing and welding as much as I expected. That helped me focus on one trade that I really wanted to pursue." 

Some of the experiences challenged his expectations. Welding, in particular, proved more difficult than he anticipated. 

"I went into the welding shop thinking it would be easy because it seemed simple. I learned pretty quickly that while the idea is simple, the skill required to do it well is something completely different. Anyone can weld, but it takes a lot of practice and effort to become good at it."

The hands-on nature of the program became one of his favourite aspects of the experience.

"The labs were by far one of the best parts. You learn by doing it. It helped me realize that I enjoy working with my hands and seeing the results of my work." 

The program is designed to meet learners where they are, providing supportive environments for exploration and growth. 

"What makes this program different is that it feels like the real world. You get to build things you wouldn't normally get to work on in a regular classroom, and you're given the freedom to learn from your mistakes in a safe environment. Being trusted to try, troubleshoot, and improve made me feel like an adult who is preparing for a career in the trades." 

These experiences are about more than learning how to use tools and equipment. They gave Rylan an opportunity to discover his strengths, test his interests, and gain confidence in the direction he wants to pursue. 

“The opportunity to explore multiple trades before committing to a career pathway was invaluable. Intro to the Trades is a low-risk, high-reward way to see what actually interests you. Instead of investing heavily in a program and finding out later it's not for you, you get to experience different trades first." 

While every trade offered valuable lessons, the electrical lab stood out from the rest. 

"I knew I was interested in electrical before the program, but actually experiencing it confirmed that it was the path I wanted to take." 

He was drawn to the combination of practical work and problem-solving that electrical projects require. 

"When we were wiring circuits and connecting switches, there was a lot of troubleshooting involved. We had to figure out the best way to make everything work. After all that effort, seeing the light bulb finally turn on was incredibly satisfying. That moment showed me this was the right path for me." 

Beyond helping him identify a career direction, the program also changed how he views the skilled trades.  

Before participating, he believed many of the stereotypes often associated with trades careers. 

"I used to think trades were mostly hard manual labour and that you had to be a certain type of person to succeed. Now I know that isn’t true. There are so many different opportunities, and people from all kinds of backgrounds who find success in the trades." 

Most importantly, the experience gave him something many students are searching for: direction. 

Rylan has started grade 11, during his second year at Prairie Sky Collegiate he will continue to focus on electrical studies. He hopes to secure an apprenticeship opportunity through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). 

"If I hadn't taken this program, I'd still be stuck with no direction and no ambition for the rest of high school. Now I've got a clear pathway, and I'm actually excited about where it's going to take me."

Learn more about all student career pathways and check out Prairie Sky Collegiate. 

The Introduction to Trades program is open to any MHPSD high school student from MHHS, CHHS and Hub Virtual School.