Imperial supports YAP at Cold Lake Middle School

The Youth Achievement Program receives funding from Imperial Oil

Students at Cold Lake Middle School will be able to explore careers through hands-on learning opportunities thanks to the generous support of the Imperial Oil Foundation and Imperial’s Cold Lake Operation.

“The Youth Achievement Program provides our students with opportunities to learn about a wide variety of careers through engaging activities, field trips and guest speakers,” said Cold Lake Middle School Principal Chan Cusson. “They also take part in safety training, work site visits and job shadowing.”

YAP is offered to all Grade 7 and 8 students at Cold Lake Middle School. The school started offering the program to students in 2014 after receiving a grant from Imperial Cold Lake. Imperial continued to fund the program for the 2015-2016 school year as well.
At today’s board meeting, representatives from Imperial reaffirmed their support for the program and announced $40,000 for the third year of the program. “We are very pleased to support this program for a third year,” said Darlene Gates, Cold Lake and Conventional Operations Manager, Imperial. “Engaging youth in an initiative that introduces them to career opportunities in the trades is not only positive for the community, but also supports the future of our operations in Cold Lake and our industry as a whole.”

The goal of the Youth Achievement Program is to expose students to a variety of career options, including trades and apprenticeship training, through hands-on learning opportunities. Cold Lake Middle School is the second Northern Lights school to offer YAP to its students. The program has been running at Aurora Middle School for more than 10 years.

“YAP is successful because of the strong partnerships formed between the schools and the local business communities,” explained Board Chair Mandi Skogen. “We are very grateful that Imperial recognizes the value of continuing to support this unique program and ensuring we are able to offer these invaluable opportunities to our students.”
Cold Lake Middle School offers programming to approximately 315 students in grades 4 to 8. For more information about the school and its Youth Achievement Program, please go to www.coldlakemiddleschool.ca.

*Press Release from Northern Lights Public Schools