In April of 2018, the Technical Training Group partnered with the Avon Maitland District School Board to deliver a modified version of TTG’s highly successful FunTECH Program, called FunTECH AMDSB.
This program provided over 300 grade six and seven students throughout Perth and Huron Counties with the opportunity to participate in an experiential learning event at their local high school, through a series of hands-on workshops that introduce students to careers in the skilled trades.
FunTECH AMDSB is delivered at secondary schools throughout Huron-Perth during the school day and the workshops are taught by AMDSB Tech Department Teachers and Community Partners, with the help of AMDSB Technical Student Volunteers. These student volunteers can secure community involvement hours through TTG (as a not-for-profit organization) while continuing to develop and apply their leadership and mentoring skills.
Participating elementary school students are able to select one, three-hour workshop that introduces them to a skilled trade or technology through hands-on exposure, while working on a related project.
Students choose from workshops such as Construction, Manufacturing, Culinary Arts, Welding, Robotics, Comm-Tech, Sewing and Cosmetology, which expose them to various areas of technology and teach them how to use a variety of tools and equipment. At the end of the day, each student walks away with a project or product they have built or prepared themselves.
In 2019, the goal is to expand delivery of FunTECH AMDSB to 8 AMDSB high schools in order to offer this program to more of the potential 1,050 grade six AMDSB students that go to school in Huron and Perth County.
TTG’s programming for youth is unique and offers a potential long-term solution to the skills’ trade shortage in our local economy. Our overall goal is to reposition skilled trades as a credible/valid career option in the minds of youth and their parents.
TTG and AMDSB strongly believe that being exposed to experiential learning opportunities at an early age is often the key to inspiring young people to sign up for technical studies in high school. It also helps start discussions with their families about possible trades focused career paths in the future. To learn more about the trades and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship visit OYAP.com
The Technical Training Group (TTG) is a not-for-profit that has been committed to bringing local, relevant technical and skilled trades’ training to Stratford and the surrounding area since 2002.
As part of its mandate, TTG works closely with a number of community partners such as the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB), Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB), local businesses and Industry organizations as well as other service providers to help introduce youth to the skilled trades through a number of events and interactive workshops.
For almost two decades, TTG has been offering a variety of hands-on skilled trades and technology workshops to youth ages 7-14. These initiatives include FunTECH, FunTECH AMDSB and STEP Camp which in 2018 exposed over 500 children in Huron-Perth to a range of trades and technology focused workshops.
