Apprenticeship Program

The Apprenticeship Program is offered to Grade 11-12 students at the Grande Prairie Composite High School. It is accredited by Alberta Education's Career and Technology Studies Apprenticeship Programs (CTS), helping students meet the Trade Entrance Requirements for Alberta. 

The Automotive Apprenticeship program is designed for students planning to enter the automotive trade. When a student completes all required courses with a grade of 70% or higher and becomes a registered apprentice in the trade, they will be eligible to challenge the 1st Period Automotive Apprenticeship exam.

The Cosmetology Apprenticeship program provides full technical training in the Hairstyling Trade upon completing 50 designated modules or credits. This means after completing the program in High School, students can directly enter the workforce as an apprentice in a salon.

How to Apply

Current students attending Grande Prairie Composite High School can complete their Course Selection form before the end of the current school year to start the program the following year. For more information, contact the Grande Prairie Composite High School's main office 780-532-7721.

Current students attending Charles Spencer High School or Bridge Network Outreach School can complete the Apprenticeship Program Application Form by logging into PowerSchool Parent Portals to access their SchoolEngage account.

New students to GPPSD must indicate their intent to apply on their online registration form for the next school year. Register here: New Student Registration.

The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) 

The RAP Program is offered at all 3 high schools: the Bridge Network Outreach School, Charles Spencer High School and the Grande Prairie Composite High School. Our schools provide first-period technical training in various trades, including Carpentry, Welding, Automotive, Culinary Arts, and Cosmetology.

This program allows high school students to: 

• Earn up to a maximum of 40 credits towards your Alberta High School Diploma or Certificate of Achievement (for every 125 hours of apprenticeship, students receive five high school credits)
  
• Work as an apprentice, building hours towards a Journeyman's Certificate, up to a maximum of 1000 hours 
  
• Divide your time between an approved work site and your high school - giving you the benefit of a high school experience while gaining employable skills applicable to any career
  
• Gain first-hand experience and understanding of your chosen trade, while getting paid
  

For more information, contact one of our Off-Campus Coordinators by calling your local high school.

How to Apply

Current GPPSD students interested in the program should contact their Off-Campus Coordinator at their high school before the end of the current school year to start the program the following year. 

Bridge Network Outreach School
Main Office: 780-539-0950

Charles Spencer High School
Main Office: 780-513-3200

Grande Prairie Composite High School
Main Office: 780-532-7721

New students to GPPSD must indicate their interest on their online registration forms. Register here: New Student Registration.

Safety and Supervision

Students are required to complete Alberta Education safety courses before participating in Apprenticeship or RAP programs.

Off-Campus Coordinators complete work site inspections before student placements. Ongoing monitoring of student-employer relations and student behaviour occurs throughout the placement.

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