The Ignite program meets a societal need from a business perspective. Each year, 30 to 45 at-risk young adults, aged 19 to 30 years, are hired by Ignite as apprentices. Their job is to learn – seven and a half hours a day, five days a week. Wages are deducted for lateness or absenteeism. Poor performance and chronic absenteeism are causes for dismissal from the program.
Program
Over the course of 43 weeks, the Ignite program provides courses in a number of
areas, including
- academic upgrading – Grade Equivalent Diploma (GED), Grade 12 departmental exams
- career orientation – resume writing, employment skills
- driver education – SGI driver training
- communication – public speaking
- computer technology – Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Windows
- business – bookkeeping, accounting, business entrepreneur program
- personal and social skills – wellness/nutrition, fitness, organizational skills, money management
An 11-week apprenticeship with a third-party employer completes the program.
Application Process
To be considered for the program, young adults, aged 19 to 30 years, must complete each of the following:
- an application form
- a skills evaluation (basic math problems and writing a composition)
- an in-person interview with members of the Ignite team
Ignite will then decide if the applicant is a good fit for the program and may hire the applicant as an apprentice. Apprentices are paid minimum wage and are expected to report to work – on time, everyday – and be prepared to learn. The program runs Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
For more information, please contact Ignite or complete a Request Information Form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old do I need to be to attend Ignite?
You must be between the ages of 19 and 30.
How do I apply?
You need to complete an application form and bring it, in person, to the Ignite office (#103 – 1112 Winnipeg Street, Regina). Then you need to attend one of our information sessions, do a skills evaluation and have an interview with members of the Ignite Team.
Am I paid while I attend Ignite?
You will be paid a training allowance while you are attending. However, you will only be paid for the time that you are actually in attendance; you will not be paid for time you miss.
Do I have to be referred?
No, you do not need to be referred.
Will I obtain my GED?
Everyone who is accepted at Ignite will write their GED exams before they leave.
If I already have my Grade 12 and just want to upgrade, can I attend Ignite?
No, we do not offer individual upgrading classes in academic Grade 12 subjects. We only accept individuals who do not have their complete Grade 12 or their complete GED.
Can I work while attending Ignite?
The hours at Ignite are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. so you can have a part-time job in the evenings and/or on weekends but only if it will not interfere with your attendance at Ignite.
Do you provide day care at Ignite?
No we do not; you have to find your own day care before you begin your employment at Ignite.
Does the program start every September?
Each program cycle is 43 weeks in length with a four week break in-between cycles. As a result, programs do not always begin in the same month each year.
Apprentice Stories
Hashle Belanger
I was born in Regina and raised in a total of 27 foster care homes between the ages of 2 and 14 years. Consequently, there were many negative effects... read more
Edgar Regnim
Life really is a series of passageways and we are leaving one and moving on to the next... read more
Christon Frobel
I now have confidence in all that I do and I know that anything is possible if I put my mind to it... read more
Photo Gallery
Images from our most recent apprentice events... coming soon.