High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP)

There are many designated trades in Manitoba. Apprenticeship is one way to train for an occupation through paid employment and technical training. This time can be recognized for high school credit. Any student in any high school can apply to the High School Apprenticeship Program.

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Definition of HSAP

There are many designated trades in Manitoba. Apprenticeship is one way to train for an occupation through paid employment and technical training. This time can be recognized for up to 8 high school credits (1 credit for 110 hours of paid work experience). Any student in high school can apply to the High School Apprenticeship Program.

Benefits of HSAP

  1. Students can each up to 8 high school credits. Each credit requires 110 hours of paid work experience.

  2. Students who pursue a trade get a head start meeting their post-secondary requirements for Apprenticeship Manitoba. All of their on-the-job work experience count toward their Level 1.

  3. Students get paid to train. HSAP students get 10% more than Manitoba minimum wage.

  4. On the job, student apprentices learn the skills and knowledge to become an expert in a skilled trade.

Curious to know more about the benefits, check out RRTVA's website here.

Requirements

  1. Student is responsible for getting a job in a eligible trade. (If you're not sure how, work through step 1 and 2 of the application steps.)

  2. A student must be 16 years old (except in the cook trade, where students have to be 15).

  3. Must complete the safety requirements (including the Young Workers Readiness Certificate Course).

  4. The employer and apprentice must complete the HSAP safety requirements.

  5. Parent/guardians must grant their permission for their child to be in the program.

HSAP Application Steps

Step 1: Choose a Trade

If students do not already have a job in an apprenticeable trade, they should first explore trades to decide what they would like to work in. You can explore trades here.

Step 2: Find Jobs in Your Area

You can find jobs in different ways.

  • Check out local job ads. You can go to Local Job Shop Manitoba or Indeed.ca.

  • Find employers in your trade by searching for businesses in your area. Contact the employer and tell them you are interested in finding work in a specific trade. Ask them to meet to introduce yourself. Dress to work in that trade and bring a resume.

  • Explore your network. Ask the people around you for help - parents, relatives, neighbours, and teachers. They might have connections to someone in a trade. Ask them for contact information.

Important Note: Make sure you have a resume prepared. Check out the resume resources here. If you need some support, reach out to a teacher, guidance counsellor or the Career Development and Life Exploration Coordinator.

Step 3: Student Application

Fill out the HSAP Student Application. which can be found here.

Important notes on how to fill out the application form can be found here.

Step 4: Designated Trainer Form

There is a general application that trainers need to complete if they are not a registered journeyperson. This usually applies to most HSAP placements. The purpose of this form is to show the hours and years of experience.

You can find the form here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If your trainer is a designated tradesperson, you can skip to step 6.

Step 5: Trade-Specific Application

The purpose of this form is to show that the designated trainer has the skills to train an individual.

First, go to the list of the approved Manitoba trades here.

Then click on the trade the student wishes to pursue.

Finally, fill out the "Work Experience Form" for that trade. It is important to note that on the scale of 0-5, provided, 5 means that you could teach it to someone, not that you do it all the time. 0 means the trainer has never done it before. Trainers need a score of 70% in total to pass this form.

Step 6: Application Submission

Submit application by fax (204-948-2346) or email (apprenticeship@gov.mb.ca) . Make sure to ask for a receipt of confirmation.

Begin following up with the application if after 6 weeks there no confirmation letter has been received.

Step 7: Assessment

You can find an assessment document that is for individual schools' use here. It is suggested you complete this form and keep it on file for your records.

Note: Video lists respectfully borrowed from RRTVA's website.

Other Important Links

Youth Apprenticeship Programs

MB Education on HSAP

Explore Apprenticeship on myBlueprint (Check out the Apprenticeship Guide on the student section of myBlueprint.)