The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is proud to celebrate Larkin MacLean, a Grade 12 student at North Middlesex District High School, who was the first student in the board to qualify for the Ontario government’s Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (FAST) program.

 

Through her co-operative education placement at CSN High Street Auto Body in Strathroy, Larkin gained valuable, real-world experience in the industry and was formally registered as an apprentice while still in high school.

 

In addition to qualifying for the FAST program, Larkin was recently awarded the Skilled Trades Bursary, which is presented to a senior student who demonstrates exceptional performance in a co-operative education placement and intends to pursue a career in the skilled trades. She also received the McTavish Award, which honours students who have overcome significant personal challenges to achieve academic success.

 

Larkin’s accomplishments reflect years of dedication to the automotive trade — a passion sparked early in life through her connection to her grandfather’s autobody business. When Larkin was in Grade 9, her late mother, Crystal MacLean, was also inspired by her daughter help launch the school’s Ticket to the Trades event, which recently celebrated its fourth year.

 

More details about the Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (FAST) program are available in a Ontario Government’s news release.