Building tomorrow’s workforce: local students go on a mission!
May 4, 2005, Belleville, Ontario—On April 20th and 27th, 2005, local Employment Destinations Program (EDP) students were on a mission. Their mission—and they all chose to accept it—was to explore local career possibilities and meet future employers.

As part of a strategy to help young people make the successful transition from school to work, the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) and East Central Ontario Training Board (ECOTB) designed ‘Mission Employable’. These events featured guest speakers and workplace tours that introduced students to the requirements of entry-level jobs available locally.

“There were 64 students from the EDP at Quinte, Prince Edward, Centennial, Trenton, North Hastings, Bayside and Moira secondary schools. These students had the opportunity to visit 24 worksites,” states Cindy Rymes, Project Leader. “Guest speakers Ciane Hynes, Kelly Services and Lorraine Blakely, Price Chopper –Trenton, provided valuable insight on getting and staying employed.”

An enthusiastic Brad Barriage from Trenton High School remarked, “Davis New Homes was amazing, we learned so much about different trades.”

Many students were impressed by what they saw. “I’m now more convinced than ever that I want to be a massage therapist. I saw everything I want to be,” exclaimed Kristin Crane, a Quinte Secondary School student.

In Belleville, guest speakers Ric Tolls and Gary Laraby from Reid’s Dairy explained how they both left school without a diploma and through hard work became successful supervisors.

“I tell my kids to stay in school, I worked twice as hard to succeed as someone with an education,” explained Tolls.

“Working in the real world is a lot harder than in school. When I left school I had a lot of bad jobs that paid poorly,” warned Laraby. “I found a good company, Reid’s Dairy, and I’ve done very well.”

Dave Franks, Reid’s Dairy plant manager stressed that local employers are always looking for good workers with the right attitude. “We look for someone who is eager, and willing to learn. We will invest time, training and equipment in those workers,” concluded Franks.

Statistics indicate a significant number of students, for a variety of reasons, will not receive their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Without skills training and work experience opportunities these young people can experience difficulty finding meaningful employment.

“After completing all the phases of the Employment Destinations Program, these students are work-ready. They just need employers to look at their skills and attitude rather than their paperwork!” concludes Rymes.

For information, contact:
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, (613) 966-1170, or 1 800 267-4350, ext. 2354