Two Ponoka graduates, Shane Washkevich and John (Will) Wareham, will receive apprenticeship scholarships for welding later this month.
The High School Apprenticeship Scholarship from the Apprenticeship and Industry Training board are available to students in a Registered Apprentice Program (RAP) or Career and Technology Studies (CTS) as well as a registered apprenticeship.
The 2019 recipients will be awarded on Nov. 15 at the annual awards reception celebration, to be held this year at the Edmonton Expo Centre.
Washkevich graduated from Ponoka Secondary Campus (PSC) in June, 2019, after completing his first year of welding while in his second semester of Grade 12.
He is currently completing his classroom hours for year two at Red Deer College (RDC).
He’s glad to receive the scholarship as it will pay for the tuition for his second year.
Starting his apprenticeship while still in high school was a good opportunity that gave him a good head start, he says.
When he becomes a journeyman he plans to run his own welding truck rig.
Washkevich and Wareham completed their work experience at Will’s Welding here in Ponoka.
Washkevich says working at Will’s Welding has allowed him to get “a lot of experience under (his) belt” and that it was a good work environment with good people.
Wareham graduated from St. Augustine School, also in June, and is currently attending RDC for his first year classroom hours.
He says attending the awards night on the 15th will be “awesome” and the scholarship program is a “great way to get people into the trade.”
He also hopes to run his own welding truck once he’s a journeyman, and perhaps eventually become a welding instructor or have his own business and shop.
More information on apprentice and trainee awards and scholarships can be found on studentaid/alberta/ca.