Registered Apprenticeship Program
(RAP)
WHY APPRENTICESHIP?
Apprenticeship is on-the-job training under the supervision of a
skilled tradesperson combined with classroom training.
Apprenticeship is an efficient and effective way of providing skilled
workers in the trades. Students and employers report that
apprenticeship has a number of advantages. For example:
• Hands-on, up-to-date training. Concepts are often easier to
learn through practical experience. Also, working on a jobsite
usually gives apprentices more access to the most current
equipment and more experience with the latest industry practices.
• Opportunities to earn while you learn. An apprentice receives a
pay cheque.
• The promise of a good career. Acquiring a trade is a solid
beginning for any career path. Apprentices develop skills that
industry needs—the skilled trades are virtually always in demand.
WHAT IS RAP?
The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is an apprenticeship
program for high school students. Traditionally, apprenticeships in
Alberta began after students graduated from high school.
However, some students identify their career interests at an earlier
age and are ready to get started learning and practising their future
trade while in high school. RAP is an ideal program for these
students.
RAP students divide their time between an approved work site and
their high school. They take regular courses, such as English
language arts, social studies, science and mathematics in order to
earn their Alberta High School Diploma or Certificate of
Achievement. RAP students are both full-time students and
registered apprentices.
The time a RAP student spends at school and on the work site can be
quite flexible. The student, school and employer jointly agree to a
suitable schedule. The student might work as a RAP apprentice for a
semester, for half of each school day, for one or two days per week,
or during summers, holidays and weekends.
RAP students are expected to continue their apprenticeship after they
graduate from high school.
All apprentices are required to take a period of technical training
(formal instruction) after completing each year of their
apprenticeship. The RAP apprentices’ technical training is delayed
until they have completed high school and completed the required
number of hours of workplace learning.
RAP students are paid at least minimum wage.
WHY RAP?
Some students know they want to acquire a trade. Others have not
thought of this option but find they are interested when they learn
more about it. Almost all students today are concerned about
competing for employment after they graduate. Students who want
to start their career training as early as possible may even be tempted
to leave school before graduating in order to enter the workforce.
The Registered Apprenticeship Program addresses the needs of all
these students. RAP lets students earn money, get high school credits
and complete a major portion of their first year of apprenticeship
while still in school. They can stay in school and graduate while still
participating in the adult world that they are anxious to join.
RAP is designed to:
• improve the transition between school and the workplace
• encourage students to stay in school
• enable students to obtain on-the-job training that is recognized by
employers.
Since Alberta frequently faces labour shortages in the skilled trades,
offering high school students an apprenticeship not only provides
students with future employment opportunities but also helps to
support the Alberta economy.
Registered Apprenticeship Program Information Manual
©Alberta Learning, Alberta, Canada February 2003
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