Erin Ferris says spots are still available in the pre-employment electrician program. (Photo Courtesy Meghan Cobb)

By Meghan Cobb

Medicine Hat College’s electrical pre-employment program free to under-represented students

Aug 22, 2022 | 2:08 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat College’s pre-employment electrician program is looking to increase the number of youth, newcomers, women and people who identify as gender diverse entering the skilled trade.

Grant funding from Colleges and Institutes Canada, in partnership with the federal government, allows the college to cover the cost of tuition for students who fall into one of those categories.

“Fully funded tuition is something that doesn’t come by very often,” said Erin Ferris, a program administrator with the college. “So we were really excited to get this grant and to be able to offer this.”

The electrical pre-employment program covers all of the same material as the traditional apprenticeship program, but students do not need to be employed or indentured to be accepted.

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The pre-employment program also offers additional safety tickets and additional lab time compared to the traditional program. The grant money will allow even more services to be added to the program.

“With this extra funding we are able to offer some extra wraparound services to help students succeed,” explained Ferris. “Things like essential skills, some communications training, safety training and some English language support for those who might need it.”

The program is almost full but Ferris says she is still accepting applications for a few more days. Anyone interested in apply or looking for more information can visit the program’s website.

by Meghan Cobb

Medicine Hat College’s electrical pre-employment program free to under-represented students

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