RADF Investment: $1,056,750

Other Investment: $1,738,250

Total Investment: $2,795,000

Project Period: September 2009–October 2012

T: 780.826.3145

Project Description

Support from the Rural Alberta Development Fund enabled the creation of a trades curriculum targeted at rural youth in Grades 7-9. Based out of the Bonnyville District, the program introduces hands-on trades training at an early age to encourage students at-risk of dropping out to stay in school. The program introduces them to the trades and offers them opportunities to pursue a career path in the trades. Piloted by the Northern Lights School Division, the curriculum is supported by a mobile teaching and training centre, which travels from school to school. The program began in the 2009-10 school year. It is estimated that 400 students will take part in it per year.

Expected Outcomes and Benefits

All projects go through a selection process to ensure they will improve the quality of life for Albertans. This project meets this objective through the following outcomes and benefits:

• Creation of a mobile and hands-on trades curriculum
• Increase in student retention and high school completion rates
• Increase in the number of northern students completing post-secondary trades programs
• Develop a program that can be easily adapted by other school divisions in Alberta