The Industry Training Authority (ITA) has announced a new youth mentoring pilot program that will connect youth trade apprentices with certified tradespeople.

The program, called the Mentorship Project, is for grade 12 students and new high school graduates who are enrolled in Accelerated Credit Enrollment in Industry Training (ACE IT) or Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA).

The goal is to support young apprentices to continue along the Apprenticeship pathway following high-school graduation.

The Mentorship Project pilot will match approximately 50 Youth Apprentices with an experienced apprentice or journeyperson Mentor in the regions of Kitimat/Terrace, North Okanagan, and Vancouver.

The program will be launched in the coming weeks and run until spring 2014. Participants will be expected to spend 15 hours—or approximately 30 minutes per week—together.

The mentors will help students bridge the transition from high school to the adult apprenticeship system by offering guidance, support, and encouragement. The youth apprentices will be matched with mentors based on a number of criteria, including their location, chosen trade, and interests.

"Providing an opportunity for journey people to support, mentor and coach high-school students as they launch their trades career will provide a vital link in supporting the transition into the skilled trades. For employers, it's about succession planning and creating a culture of mentorship that helps organizations retain young talent,” says Erin Johnston, director Training Delivery, ITA. “We are looking forward to the initial pilot in three school district regions as well as expanding mentorship to other regions in British Columbia during the following school year.”

Mentors will be screened and receive in-person and online training on a range of topics to help them be more effective in their role, and to create a culture of mentoring in the workplace. Youth apprentices will also have the opportunity to attend workshops on a wide variety of topics, including employability, job readiness, communications, and conflict resolution.

“ITA is delighted to launch the Mentorship Program,” says Gary Herman, interim CEO, ITA. “This program is one of a number of initiatives resulting from our extensive consultation with industry, parents, youth apprentices, and other key stakeholders. There has never been a better time in British Columbia to consider a career in the trades."

Students and Qualified Tradespeople can apply online at www.itabc.ca/mentorship or email mentorship-project@itabc.ca for more information.