Public School Board and Local Industry Team Up for Youth

Standards of Excellence event hosted by Nortel Networks
What characteristics are local industry looking for when hiring new employees? Post-secondary education and soft skills, such as being a team player, embracing change management, showing leadership and having interests or hobbies outside of the workplace, say leaders from local business and industry.

On November 22, as part of non-instructional day activities, 70 teachers from across Hastings and Prince Edward and business leaders from five Belleville firms participated in an open forum session to share ideas and hiring practices, and have informal discussion about local opportunities for graduating students. Teachers of technology, guidance and cooperative education were hosted by Nortel Networks for an afternoon event which included a panel discussion, a tour of the Nortel facility, and a response from the education sector.

The Belleville and District Chamber of Commerce assisted Board personnel in coordinating the event by issuing invitations to various Human Resource personnel from Halla Climate, Bioniche, Procter and Gamble, Exxon Mobile and Nortel Networks. Representatives were invited to share their thoughts concerning local job opportunities and recruitment practices. Liz Knuude, Chair of the Education Committee of the Belleville and District Chamber of Commerce said, “We are looking forward to taking the ideas to improve upon our existing practices.” She added, “We’ve heard how the Chamber of Commerce can be a link between education and business through communication, sharing ideas, giving students access to local organizations, and continuing with programs such as Take our Kids to Work Day."

Carolyn Ketcheson, Curriculum Coordinator of Careers, supports the involvement of the community in this kind of partnership. As a member of the Education Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, she indicated, "The participation of community partners is crucial to the educational process. The preparation of our students for future workplace challenges and opportunities and the professional development of teachers are essential goals for schools and local communities. Everyone benefits from this type of interchange.”

A recent survey of educators completed by the Quinte Economic Development Council, titled “A Strategic Blueprint for Economic Development” reported that a large percentage of teachers in our region want access to information about local industry—particularly the manufacturing sector—to better prepare students for their post secondary destinations. Teachers are being asked to give input to a strategic planning session to be held in January. The goal of the day will be to enhance communication between schools and local industry. Quinte Economic Development Council, Trenval Business Development and Loyalist College will co-sponsor the day in a shared attempt to foster the future development of a skilled and integrated labour force, capable of meeting the emerging needs of business. The educators taking part in the planning session will have a opportunity to learn about enhancing opportunities for graduating students.

For more information, contact Carolyn Ketcheson, Curriculum Coordinator of Careers, 966-1170 x2325