Graduation is just around the corner which raises many questions of what students want to be doing after they are finished with school. For many students, the answer is The UBC Okanagan Arts Career Apprenticeship Program (UBCO ACAP). For the first time this year, UBCO is announcing a salaried apprenticeship program for soon-to-be graduating students in Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Media Studies. Within this donar-funded program, graduates will be connected to local businesses within the Okanagan for a one-year employment opportunity.
Students who choose to participate in the apprenticeship program will undergo training from Career Services on campus to help and support them in preparation for this competitive application and hiring process. The goal of the university is to have up to 10 graduates employed in the first round this spring; the university is currently encouraging employers and students to sign up for this program.
To further elaborate on UBCO ACAP, Dr. Ananya Mukherjee-Reed, Provost and Vice-Principal Academic at UBC Okanagan, kindly responded to The Phoenix’s questions.
What is the apprenticeship program and how did it come about?
The UBC Okanagan Arts Career Apprenticeship Program (UBCO ACAP) connects upcoming arts, humanities and social sciences graduates from the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies with Okanagan-based employers for one-year, paid, early-career opportunities.
Students will participate in a competitive application and interview process and gain professional experience and mentorship while contributing to the growth and development of a local business or organization. Employers are required to create an accelerated career apprenticeship opportunity and commit to providing mentorship and opportunities for skill development. The UBCO ACAP prepares students for career and employment readiness through support, training opportunities and workshops.
The program is funded by a donation from Ottawa-based philanthropist Alan Rottenberg, who approached UBC Okanagan after successfully piloting the concept in Ontario. The UBCO ACAP is one of five arts career apprenticeship programs funded by Rottenberg.
When does it start (the application process and the apprenticeship)?
Student applications to join the UBCO ACAP open on January 15, 2021, and close on February 15, 2021. On February 24, 2021 job opportunities will be posted. Students that have been accepted to the program will have until March 10, 2021 to apply to the postings of interest to them. Interviews will take place throughout March and the deadline for hiring decisions is April 9, 2021. All UBCO ACAP positions must begin by June 1, 2021 and are one-year term positions.
How can students go about participating in the program?
Students must apply online to join the program by February 15, 2021. A Career Educator will then contact each applicant to review their resume prior to applying to ACAP job postings.
Participating students will take part in a competitive application and interview process that is managed by each employer. Students can email ubco.acap@ubc.ca for more information/questions about the program.
It is evident that the benefits from being selected for this program are numerous as it not only introduces soon-to-be graduates to mentors and prospective employers, but it also allows students to develop valuable skills, training, and experience. This UBCO ACAP is one opportunity for arts students across several disciplines to get their foot in the door in terms of employment prospects.
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