The Apprentice Training Program was in effect from the arrival of the 

1st Intake in January 1953 until the graduation of the 14th Intake in July 1967. 

During these years 847 sixteen-year-old inductees from all across Canada 

(and one from Germany) were processed through the 

Sapper Apprentice Training Squadron at Camp Chilliwack, 

Vedder Crossing, British Columbia. 

The training took two years to complete, the first year included the normal 

military training that one would expect in a recruit squadron, 

and would be conducted for four hours a day. 

The remainder of the day was spent in school being taught academics 

under the instruction of a small cadre of civilian teachers. 

The aim of the training, was to raise the individuals education level 

to Junior matriculation in British Columbia. 

Once the Apprentices could march and properly wear and maintain 

their uniforms they were then given basic training such as; 

Weapons, Field Defenses and Obstacles, Rigging, Rafting and Water-manship, 

and Mine-Warfare. 

The daily training included a rigorous fitness and sports program of Track and Field, 

Cross-Country Running and Tabloid Sports. 

The recreational program included Rod and Gun Club, Squadron Band

Baseball, Soccer and Football. 

The second year was a continuation of the academic training 

and more Corp training such as Bridging, Roads and Airfields, 

Demolitions and Water Supply. 

Upon graduation individuals were awarded the Group I Field Engineer 

qualification and badge.  Part of the second year training 

included an introduction to Trades Training with a familiarization 

in the following subjects- Carpentry, Plumbing, Sheet Metal, Painting 

and Masonry. Graduation was normally in July followed by postings 

to the various Field Squadrons in Chilliwack, Petawawa, Gagetown or Germany 

or Trades positions in the Works Companies at the different Bases. 

Additionally, Franco students that had limited English capability 

took their first year of training in Montreal and then joined their fellow 

Sapper/Apprentices in Chilliwack, in the second year. 

The Engineers were not the only Corp to have an Apprentice Program; 

similar programs existed with the Artillery (Shilo), 

Signals (Kingston), Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, (Borden then Kingston), 

Army Service Corp (Borden), and the Ordnance Corp (Montreal). 

Until an Apprentice reached the age of seventeen, they only received 

half the pay of a Regular Sapper. 

The initial enrolment of the Apprentice was for seven years,

with an option to release at five; two years were spent 

in the Apprentice Training Squadron and the remainder in field units. 

After the first seven years surprisingly enough the attrition was not that great 

and many Apprentices stayed for a full career in the military 

with the majority of those attaining Senior NCO or Officer rank 

through the Commissioning From the Ranks (CFR) program. 

The success and good attendance of the Apprentice Reunions is due 

mainly to the tremendous bond that was created during that two years of training, 

not only with the other Sapper/Apprentices but with the staff as well 

that were so dedicated to the Apprentice Program
  
top of page