You might say automotives is a part of this month’s Barrhead and District Chamber of Commerce’s student of the month, Ray Barendregt.
Barendregt, a Grade 11 student at Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS), is enrolled in the school’s automobile mechanic Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). He was selected from a pool of a number of deserving students by Careers: The Next Generation, a subcommittee of the chamber.
The RAP program helps students get into the trades by allowing them to work as an apprentice while earning credits, not only toward high school graduation, but towards a future journeyman ticket as well. To qualify for the program the school or student must find a business with a certified journeyman that is willing to take on and supervise the student. Barendregt is working at Haitel’s Garage under the supervision of shop owner James Haitel.
The Chamber of Commerce started the Student of the Month program as a way to help encourage Barrhead area businesses to retain more of its young people.
Dave Sawatzky, chamber president, said it is something the chamber has been working on for more than a year and a half with the help of Pembina Hills Public Schools and BCHS.
“There are plenty of opportunities for young people in their own back yard. The problem is that they just don’t know about them,” he said.
That is why the chamber, along with its partners, decided to create a committee to inform high school students and their parents about the employment opportunities that exist in the region. The Student of the Month initiative came from that committee and it was first awarded in June.
Barendregt said although he has always had an interest in being an auto mechanic, he really didn’t think seriously about enrolling in the RAP program until he started pounding the pavement looking for a summer job.
“I guess I was kind of looking for something I could do with my hands,” he said, adding another reason why he was drawn to the trade was because of his father, Herman. “My dad’s been in the automotive trade since he was younger than me, so I have been around it for my whole life.
“It’s kind of funny,” Barendregt continued. “There are five boys in my family and even though we have been around it our whole lives, I am the only one interested in it. I think my father is kind of happy about that.”
A typical RAP student spends half their time in a conventional classroom and the other half with their employer learning the hands on aspects of the trade.
For Barendregt this means he starts his day at BCHS for two blocks, where takes science 24 through The Learning Centre and math 20-3. In the afternoon he moves on to Haitel’s Garage.
“Right now I am doing a lot of oil changes. The odd brake job, rotors, calipers, all that fun stuff,” he said, adding the rest of his time is spent learning how to do other projects. “James is really good. He shows me what each of the components is and what it does, he has been really patient with me.”
As for what the future holds, Barendregt, said he hopes to continue working with James and the staff at Haitel’s Garage as he works towards getting his automotive technician journeyman certification.
In order to qualify for their first year apprentice certification students enrolled in a RAP program must, in addition to successfully completing training modules from a post secondary institution such as NAIT, have a number of hours of practical on-the-job experience.
“By the time I graduate high school I should have enough hours banked so I can go to NAIT for my first year apprenticeship modules,” Barendregt said, adding after which he hopes to return to Haitel’s Garage to complete all his hours and training on his way to getting his automobile mechanic journeyman’s certification.
And it looks like Barendregt may get his wish.
Haitel said he is very happy with Barendregt’s performance at the garage, adding he wasn’t surprised as he has known the Barendregt family for a number of years and was pleased when Ray applied for a summer job.
He said in his experience a lot of young people Barendregt’s age are not that motivated, adding that kind of motivation doesn’t come until later in life.
“I am really, really impressed with Ray. He wants to learn the automotive service trade and he is dedicated and hardworking in everything he does,” Haitel said, citing the example of how Barendregt did all the work to set up the RAP placement.
“He did all the leg work himself, he did all the research and talked to the school councillor.”
When asked if he would recommend taking on a RAP student to another business he said it would depend.
While acknowledging that the program can be a positive experience for both the student and the business, Haitel said it would all depend on the student and the relationship they are able to build.
“There is quite a bit of work involved. From the employer’s standpoint you have to keep track of their hours, give them an evaluation which you submit to the school, but if you find the right student, like Ray, it is definitely worth it,” he said.
