Students from St. Clair Catholic schools had an unforgettable experience as they explored career opportunities in skilled trades through a continued partnership with LiUNA Local 1089 in Sarnia. Hosted by Chad Hogan, Training Director, the program ran from November 26–28, offering Grade 7–8 students and secondary construction students a glimpse into the dynamic world of apprenticeships.
The experience began the previous week with Howie Brox’s “Think for a Change” presentation, designed to introduce students to pathways in skilled trades and the significance of apprenticeship programs. Using the Construction Craft Worker trade as an example, Howie provided an engaging overview of what it means to earn a Red Seal certification and the value it holds in the industry. This session, which set the stage for the hands-on visit, was delivered to students from St. Anne, St. Matthew, St. Michael, and St. Patrick’s Catholic schools.
Students toured the state-of-the-art facility, observing the tools, equipment, and projects apprentices use daily. They then participated in hands-on activities tailored to their grade levels: elementary students practiced tool identification, concrete forming, VR training, and mini-scaffolding assembly, while secondary students tackled full-sized scaffolding assembly, safety harness training, pipeline cribbing, and advanced concrete forming techniques.
“This was such an amazing opportunity for our students,” said Samantha De Pasqua, teacher at St. Matthew. “It’s not every day they get to try out real hands-on activities and see what a career in the trades could look like. Experiences like this really open their eyes to the possibilities.”
Chris St. Amand, Experiential Learning Coordinator, emphasized the program’s value: “By connecting students with real-world learning experiences, partnerships like this help them see their potential in the skilled trades.”
From the dust on their shoes to the smiles on their faces, students left with a deeper appreciation for skilled trades and what these careers entail. Feedback from staff and students highlighted the program’s success in sparking interest and curiosity about apprenticeships.
