Conestoga news

November 3, 2008 9:08 AM

Two New Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

In February, Conestoga College will launch two new pre-apprenticeship programs which can open the doors to rewarding careers or further education in the skilled trades. Both are full-time, daytime programs, and both will qualify successful graduates for exemption from the first level of standard in-college apprenticeship training, thereby accelerating the process of full apprenticeship certification.

Brick and Stone Mason will be at the Conestoga campus in Waterloo, including hands-on skill development in the new Conestoga-Ontario Masonry Training Centre adjacent to the campus. The program consists of 25 weeks of in-college instruction, plus an eight-week practical work experience placement. Among the course areas are safety, computer literacy, masonry-related carpentry, construction theory and practice, job layout processes and employment strategies.

At the Conestoga campus in Guelph, the new program is Truck Trailer Service Technician. It features 23 weeks in-college, plus eight weeks of practical work placement experience. The Guelph campus is rapidly expanding programming in the motive power field, to accommodate high employer demand for skilled employees and this new program is just the latest addition in the area.

Among the course areas are safety, computer literacy, truck and coach welding, basic electricity, frames and suspensions, air conditioning, brake systems and employment strategies.

Application is open to those age 16 or older. Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent is preferred, but not necessary, because academic upgrading assistance is provided. Only 24 enrolment spaces are available in each program.

Conestoga will hold a number of free information sessions which will speak to both new programs. Attendance at a session is mandatory for anyone who wants to apply for admission. Sessions begin at 5 p.m. The schedule at the Guelph campus is: Monday, November 10; Monday, November 24 and Monday, December 8. At the Waterloo campus, the schedule is: Thursday, November 13; Thursday, November 20 and Thursday, December 11.

For additional information, go to (Brick and Stone Mason) or (Truck Trailer Service Technician) , or telephone the Conestoga College Information Centre at 519-748-5220, ext. 3656 (in the Guelph area, call 519-763-9525, ext. 3656.

Contact: Brenda Gilmore, 519-824-9390, ext. 122, bgilmore@conestogac.on.ca