Seven students from across the Chinook School Division have been awarded with Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) Industry Scholarships.

The winners, participants of the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC)'s SYA program, were announced earlier this month in a release by the Saskatchewan Government.

"It's sort of special and unique - I don't know if a lot of kids can say they're one of the scholars from the apprenticeship program," said Brayden Olfert, a Swift Current Comprehensive High School student who received an SYA Industry Scholarship. "The scholarship gives me the freedom to solely focus on learning."

The $1,000 scholarship means Olfert won't have worry about money while continuing to hone his skills working for Pattison Agriculture as he chases his dream of becoming a certified Journeyperson.

"It's really good (experience), it's hands-on and it's showing me what I'm going to be doing," the grade 12 graduate said. "It's also submerging me into what I'm getting into and I really enjoy it."

Olfert has been working for Pattison Agriculture (formerly JayDee Agtech) since May of 2016 when he started as a labourer and more recently transition into working part-time alongside the Journeypersons and apprentices'

"(Olfert's) dedication at working at the trade (stood out to me)," said Cindy Lowe, Apprenticeship Teacher at the Swift Current Comprehensive High School. "He's done very well in all of his trades classes, his P.A. teachers have highly recommended him as being a good candidate within in their classes, as well as Pattison Ag spoke highly of Brayden. I know him as well as being a fantastic kid and a good role model for others."

Lowe added that we're going to see plenty of job openings in the trades industry over the next decade and she would like to see more students enter the trades programs to fill the void.

Also receiving SYA Industry Scholarships are Chad Hartman of Lancer, Tanner Heller-Ginter of Pennant, Jesse Lamotte of Cadillac, Isaac Peterson of Shaunavon, Damon Legault of Val Marie and Mason Carey of Vanguard.