GNS: ELITE Program and Community Partnerships at GCCHS

GYPSD thanks local corporations for their generous donations to the ELITE Program run at the Grande Cache Community High School (GCCHS). This program is a unique option for students in Grades 10, 11, and 12 to explore trade areas that include: Welding, Automotive, Machining, Sheet Metal, and Electrical while developing other relevant skills. Each class is divided into different trade groups and then the students rotate through these groups throughout the year. By the time these students graduate, they have a comprehensive understanding of key trades and a good sense of a meaningful career pathway. The donations directly contribute to the depth of the program and some of the funds are used to purchase high-cost consumables such as steel and replacement tools. The ELITE shop uses approximately $10,000 in steel each year. Big-ticket items bought last year included a new band saw and a new tire machine.

GCCHS ELITE students are very talented and have fabricated many items for their school and community. Last year, students who were interested in mountain biking fabricated a 24ft long "skinny" for the Hinton Mountain Biking Association. The students often go down and use this facility. The students also made shelving, BBQs, archery target stands, and bow holders for the Grande Cache Fish and Game club last year.

Donations for the ELITE program received this year include:

• CNRL (Canadian Natural Resources Limited) - $5,000

• Cenovus - $5,000

• Tourmaline - $5,000

• CWB (Canadian Welding Foundation) - $5,000 - a yearly welding donation

• Foothills Lumber - approximately $10,000 in wood donations.

ELITE Community Donations