Students enrolled in the Piping Trades Red River Technical Vocational (RRTVA) Program in Morden now have the chance to take a step towards their Red Seal, the Canadian standard of excellence for skilled trades, while still in high school.

The Piping Trades program, which is a two-semester program in Morden, received full accreditation from Apprenticeship Manitoba. Morden Collegiate Principal Marianne Fenn said a student will get a total of eight credits (four for each semester) upon completing the two semesters of the program.

"Those eight credits all together are the equivalent of the same learning pieces that they would get in the classroom for their level one apprenticeship," said Fenn.

Fenn added the students should also get around 880 hours of time toward their level as well but will require more field work to get the necessary hours to become a level one apprentice.

"It's fantastic for our students because, while the students are still in high school, they're gaining the experience they need to have a career for themselves," said Fenn.

Fenn explains there were three parts to becoming certified: the program required a teacher with his/her Red Seal and has a valid teacher's certificate, or working towards obtaining one. A facility audit was also conducted to ensure the class had the appropriate tools and components to meet the standards of Apprenticeship Manitoba. Finally, the curriculum being taught had to align with Apprenticeship Manitoba's expectations.