Pre-Employment
Why take Pre-Employment?
In today’s economy, training is critical. For high school students, Dual Credit programming includes trades offerings, which are also called “Pre-Employment”. They are called this because they offer the theory portion of trades training in advance of obtaining the hands on experience with an employer. In the trades, a candidate is normally employed (a.k.a. apprenticed) in advance of attending training. Pre-employment trades offered at NLC include Carpentry, Welding, Electrician, Heavy Equipment Technician, Mobile Crane, and Industrial Mechanic.
Each program is 12 weeks long and covers the entire First Period theory of that trade. In essence, high school students complete the first year of theory required for a trade, without leaving home and without incurring the costs associated with post-secondary training!
Dual Credit Pre-Employment offerings are available close to home, in High Level, High Prairie,
Peace River, Slave Lake, Grande Prairie, and Wabasca.
Pre-employment explained - PDF
Pre-Employment Opportunities available through NLC
Pre-Employment Benefits
For Students
- Complete your first year theory of a trade without leaving home
- Get an advantage when competing for entry-level employment
- Learn to sell your skills to potential employers
- Gain practical experience in the shop
- Receive first year AIT* technical training
- Build a trades resume
- Establish a network within a trade and community
*Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) is the provincial regulatory body for trades
For Parents
- Save on First Period trades tuition, as your child’s fees are either fully or partially covered by most participating school divisions
- Increase your child’s employability opportunities
For Employers
When you a hire a Pre-Employment graduate, you:
- Get a skilled, work-ready employee, with current knowledge
- Decrease your training expenses, as you don’t incur the costs associated with having an
employee away for the First Period theory - Have the option to hire as a general labourer or a first year apprentice, depending on the needs of your shop
For the Community
- Build capacity in your community
- Enhanced quality of life
- Enhanced employment opportunities
- Ensure availability of skilled trades in your community
- Keep youth in the community