SIIT celebrates 100th Red Seal Endorsed Journeyperson
- EFN Staff | December 19, 2016
Blake Brass recently became the 100th person to earn their Red Seal Endorsed (RSE) journeyperson through a practical partnership between SIIT and Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) called the Joint Training Committee (JTC).
Brass is currently plying his trade for Wadena Steel. He was drawn to welding by witnessing his brother receive the training. “My brother went to SIIT the year before me and I thought if he can do it, I can do it. That and I wanted to make money and get off minimum wage,” said Blake after a ceremony acknowledging his accomplishment. “And I chose SIIT because of the smaller class sizes and more one on one time with my instructor. There was only 9 of us in the class so I had a lot of time with my instructor.”
SIIT and the JTC, in conjunction with the eight career centres across the province, have been building careers in the skilled trades since 1998 by keeping apprentices in good standing with the SATCC and providing them with the coaching they need to stay on track. Some 90-95 per cent of SIIT’s JTC apprentices find employment at the end of their training.
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“All of our learners have worked hard to become journeypersons, with many of them overcoming particular barriers to find their success,” noted Shelley Macnab, JTC Coordinator. “Becoming a journeyperson often makes that person special in their community because their skills work to make the community stronger.”
Jeff Ritter, CEO of the SATCC, was on hand for the celebration.
“I want to congratulate Blake Brass and SIIT on this significant accomplishment,” Ritter said. “At the end of 2015-16, a total of 1,436 Aboriginal apprentices were registered, representing more than 15 per cent of the overall apprentice population in Saskatchewan. This is exactly what we want to see: a diverse skilled trades workforce. It signals to us that apprenticeship is a first-choice education pathway for Aboriginal people.”
The supports from SIIT and their industry partners are a key to the success, but it ultimately comes down to the apprentice and their work ethic. Blake Brass was motivated by not finishing school once. “Achieving the Red Seal was a really big burden off my shoulders. I tried my hardest for five years to work for this. It felt really great getting it finally. I went to university before and I didn’t finish. So this felt really good to complete a course,” said Brass. “As to being the hundredth, it feels good. But being able to represent SIIT in this way I feel really proud and honoured.”
The big benefit for Brass and his family has been the steady employment. “Career wise I am happy where I am and grateful. Wadena Steel treats me well. Lots of welders don’t have jobs right now. I love welding it’s fun to do. I like the heat and don’t mind getting the burns on my arms. I like building stuff and building it properly for people. It gives me joy building good products.” His daughter hasn’t said much about him being the 100th journeyman but he thinks she appreciates his career path. “I think she is happy for me. She better be. She gets better gifts and stuff now. That’s one thing,” as he laughed.