RAP:
Paid career training before you leave school.
What is RAP?
RAP is a way for high school students to become an apprentice and gain credits
toward both an apprenticeship program and a high school diploma at the same
time. It's like having it all!
How can I do work
and school at the same time?
RAP is an agreement between you, your employer and your school. The whole idea
is for everyone to be flexible. Hours of work depend on your agreement, but
they could involve:
- working as a RAP
apprentice for one semester, going to school the next
- working a half
day, going to school the other half
- working during
the summer, on holidays and weekends, and attending school during the regular
term
- working one or
two days a week, going to school on other days
RAP: Five steps
to a great career!
Here's how you sign up for RAP:
- Choose a trade,
and find an employer willing to hire a RAP apprentice. Any journeyman or employer
who employs journeymen in "your" trade can hire you as a RAP apprentice.
- Contact the RAP
coordinator at your high school (sometimes it's your counsellor or principal),
or call the nearest Alberta apprenticeship and industry training office, and
ask for an apprenticeship application.
- Complete your
application with your prospective employer and return it to the nearest Alberta
apprenticeship and industry training office.
- Following a discussion
between you, your employer and your school, an apprenticeship agreement is
signed by you and your employer. The learning...and the paycheques...begin!
- When your apprenticeship
agreement is signed, ask your school RAP coordinator to enroll you in one
or more RAP courses.
- Successful completion
of each RAP course will earn you 5 high school credits.
- Your on-the-job
training counts toward your apprenticeship program.
Everyone has responsibilities.
RAP is a "real-world" program, so you'll be a regular employee. You'll
be expected to attend work on schedule, and complete your work quickly, safely
and efficiently. You'll also be expected to focus on learning the required skills
from your journeyman supervisor. In return, your employer will pay you as a
RAP apprentice, give you the agreed flexibility in work hours, provide you with
the training you require, update your apprenticeship record book, and stay in
touch with your school.