A fully subsidized workplace readiness program known as Aspect Kickstart took place at the Kitimat City High School after spring break.
Aspect Safety is an industrial training program provided industry-recognized certificate training which was funded by the provincial government.
To receive all industry-recognized certificates, students had to partake in a 10-session, two-week intensive program.
Introduced to all schools of the Coast Mountains school district, the program was picked up by KCH due to its versatility of being an alternate school.
“Being an alternate school we have some flexibility, so [students] put a pause on their academic and elective courses and kicked in full time without having to worry about those academics,” said Nancy Tormene, Kitimat City High principal talking about the benefits of the Aspect Kickstart program. “This program provides students with a head start for a job they’re pre-trained for, it’s phenomenal.”
Program content and certificates consist of Construction Safety Training System (CSTS); First Aid (OFA 1); Lockout/Tag Out; Rigging and Hoisting; Aerial Work Platform (Boom lift); Rough Terrain Forklift (Telehandler); WHMIS; Ground Disturbance; Fall Protection; and Confined Spaces.
The program had a total of 20 students from KCH ranging from grade 10 to grade 12. However, a majority of students who took part in the program are graduating this year.
Aspect Safety general manager Jesse Santos was excited to bring the program to the school and give graduating students the opportunity to be ready for the real world.
“Kitimat City High is the hidden gem of the Coast Mountains School District, […] the whole vibe of what [KCH] is able to do here in alternative learning is very different than when I went to school,” said Santos. “Every student showed up on time, with no absences besides one or two students who got ill; they were here ready to go and jazzed for the opportunity.”
Aspect Safety also provided hard hats, high visibility vests, and safety glasses for each student; a $200 gift card to Marks Work Warehouse to each student for steel-toed boots; a binder printed with training material for each student; all training equipment such as harnesses, first aid equipment, heavy equipment for practical training, and others; 20 laptops for the students to do online portions of the programming; hand sanitizer and disposable gloves for equipment training; and additional locations for the programming.
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