November 2020
An apprenticeship is a post-secondary pathway that leads to a career in four trade areas: Motive Power, Service, Construction and Industrial. As an apprentice, you learn your trade by working under the direction of experienced workers – and you get paid while you do it, so you earn while you learn. About one in five new jobs in Ontario over the next five years is expected to be in trades-related occupations.
Riley did not initially choose apprenticeship as her post-secondary career path. She started pursuing a degree in Education with a Psychology Major. Riley described having second thoughts about her choice halfway through her first year. “Around February/March it just started to feel like I was sitting in lectures that weren’t doing anything for me; I wanted to do something more hands-on and interactive.”
The social aspect of styling hair was always something that Riley enjoyed. Her friends recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue hairstyling as a career. Making the leap from University to apprenticeship was a big decision for Riley but one that she felt strongly about. She started researching training institutions. She did her homework and landed on the Aveda Institute in Winnipeg. She finished out her school year and started her program in September 2019.
Riley enjoyed studying at the Institute. Aveda’s plant based-products and eco-friendly mission aligned with her own. After some disruption due to the pandemic, she finished her program in July 2020. As she looked for a salon to work with in Thunder Bay, Riley took a pragmatic approach. She sent out resumes, first by mail and then electronically. She made a connection with Ashton Yawney, owner of Fringe Hair Studio. She had done some training with Aveda as well, so she was interested in meeting with Riley.
Ashton was interested in taking Riley on as an apprentice but she also wanted information about training incentives to help support her commitment. She turned to YES to inquire about what was available to support apprentices in the community. Utilizing Employment Ontario programing, Riley’s C.D.P., Michelle Bell, was able to negotiate a placement contract and provide a training incentive to Fringe Hair Studio. Michelle was also able to provide the information Riley needed to sign up as and apprentice with the MLTSD, and facilitate the Apprenticeship Signing bonus which provides:
- An initial $1000 payment when an individual’s registered apprenticeship training agreement is signed/registered with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
- A final $1000 payment six months from the signing/registration date, if the apprentice is still working and training with the same employer
Riley is now looking forward to a rewarding career as an apprentice in her chosen field. Thank you to Fringe Hair Studio for offering this important apprenticeship and congratulations, Riley!
If you are interested in pursuing an apprenticeship, YES can help. Attend one of our monthly Apprenticeship Information sessions to get started. Our Career Development Practitioners provide free assistance to job seekers of all ages and all skill levels as they work toward their employment and training goals.
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