Teaching the trades to Aylmer elementary students
Grace Richards
Eardley Elementary School and the Western Quebec Career Centre have launched an innovative partnership that seeks to expose children to vocational trades. What started as a casual conversation between Eardley Principal Julia Horner and Director of the WQCC Damien Curley quickly transformed into a years-long partnership that has inspired both the children and the adults who have had the opportunity to participate.
Students at Eardley have the opportunity to learn skills in drafting, automotive, and even welding with the support of WQCC staff and students. Automotive instructor Tim Miller shared, “There’s something so special about how excited the kids all are. It’s a kind of excitement you wish they could keep into adulthood. They really light up seeing all the cool machines and tools.”
Miller is not alone in this sentiment, with Horner sharing, “When they first said they wanted the kids to weld, I thought surely they just meant to watch the vocational students weld. But no, my little elementary students were actually welding their own candleholders! They’re always surpassing our expectations each year with each new trade we introduce.”
Horner emphasized her and Curley’s shared belief that the trades are not merely a place for those who struggle academically, sharing: “We really want to challenge people’s preconceived ideas about vocational studies and empower students who learn by doing, who think creatively, who are strong in math, to explore career paths that traditionally haven’t been exposed to young children.” When selecting students, they prioritize exposing children who otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity and encourage young girls to consider the trades as a career option.
Both Horner and Curley were amazed at the overwhelming positive impact the collaboration has had, not only on the children but also on the students and instructors of the WQCC. Curley shared, “We pair the WQCC students with children, and it’s really special to see how they learn from each other.”
What started as one event has developed into a communal bond between Eardley Elementary and the WQCC, and Horner and Curley only see it growing more in the future as the communal ties the pair foster between the two school communities continue to grow.
Photo caption: New program at Western Quebec School Board introduces trades to Aylmer youth.
Photo credit: Courtesy
