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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Complete your application with your prospective employer and return it to the nearest Alberta apprenticeship and industry training office.
4. 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!
5. When your apprenticeship agreement is signed, ask your school RAP coordinator to enroll you in one or more RAP courses.
6. Successful completion of each RAP course will earn you 5 high school credits.
7. 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.