Trade-school enrolment is up, and the cash is cash is upfront

Morgan Modjeski, staff

According to a report recently released by Statistics Canada, trade schools and colleges have seen an increased enrolment by three per cent since 2001.

As the construction industry continues to grow in Canada, the demand for trades people and skilled labourers increases.

According to a Devon Lapoint, a second-year University 1 student who worked for a landscaping and contracting firm as a seasonal job, trade work is more financially attractive than university.

“There is a lot more money up front when you first initiate the business, while in university you’re spending more money than you’re making.”

The rate for a journeyman plumber in the year 2003, according to the Statistic Canada report, was between $26.27 an hour and an increase of $3.73 over three years.

Ken Terrick, responsible for payroll and accounts payable at Wescan Electrical and Mechanical Services, said the average amount that a person will make in their first year apprenticeship at the entrance level is $12 an hour plus 10 per cent on top of that in the form of benefits

As well, Terrick says that a journeymen plumber’s hourly rate is $30 an hour with an additional 10 per cent. These individuals usually have full health insurance as well, he said.

“On average, the amount of money a first-year plumbing apprentice will make bi-weekly for an average set of hours of work is $1050.30,” said Terrick

Ryan Currie, a first-level carpenter who went to school at the Manitoban Residential Training Institute, a trade school associated with Red River College, explained some of the benefits that go along with attending a trade school.

“Trade school is a lot more hands on than university. It’s also a lot quicker, not to mention the fact they pay you to go to school, which is any student’s dream,” said Currie. “The program I attended was 22 weeks long, and when I came out I had my entrance level carpentry.”

Currie says that his regular wage per hour is $17.80 an hour but he can make double that on the weekends.

But, the increase in trade schools and colleges has not affected Canadian post-secondary institution, which experience a growth in enrolment according to Statistics Canada.