Grade 6 students from several elementary schools in Thompson arrived at the Thompson Regional Community Centre on Nov. 5 to pick up their “Trades & Technology Passports” and then proceeded to the various stations where they got to experience hands-on jobs in trades and technology.
Skills Canada Manitoba, in partnership with R.D. Parker Collegiate, Vale and the Northern Manitoba Sector Council, sponsored the event. The goal of the event was to get students to try out different trades or technology skills in an exciting, hands-on way and to get them thinking about some possible career choices for the future.
Michelle Pruder, the Northern In-School Liasion Officer for Skills Canada Manitoba, says, “The demand for skilled workers is greater than the supply, especially here in the north. There are lots of opportunities to have good paying jobs in trades and technology, but kids need to know not only what those jobs are but how important it is to complete their education and gain the skills they need to do these jobs. They need to be exposed to the wide array of types of jobs available and see that there are several paths to finding a career that is fulfilling. University is one option, but other options can include college or vocational training, and apprenticeship programs. By exposing children to the opportunities now, we can help ensure that we avoid a growing shortage of well-trained employees in Manitoba and have an adequate skilled workforce for tomorrow that provides our young people with a high standard of living.”
The activities students participated in included tailoring and clothing design, food services, automotive, carpentry, cosmetology, electronics, mechanics, mineral sciences, and engineering. RDPC students acted as mentors at each of the stations, and patiently guided the younger Grade 6 students in how to do each task. Many of the RDPC student mentors are themselves working towards a career in one of the trades by taking related classes while in high school. Some of them are also enrolled in the High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP). This lets students start their apprenticeship while still in high school, and it combines regular high school instruction with paid, part-time, on-the-job apprenticeship training.
Two mentors from Vale were also present at the event. Yvette Sivyer is a welder by trade and has worked for several years doing many different types of welding. She has recently changed her career direction, and has graduated as a mine engineering technologist and will continue to work for Vale in a new capacity as a surveyor. Robert Stillie is an industrial instrument mechanic and has worked at Vale for over eight years. He was first hired into the smelter as a third-year industrial instrument apprentice and while at Vale completed his Red Seal certification. Students listened attentively as the mentors shared information and stories about their careers, and were intrigued with all of the equipment the mentors had brought with them from Vale.
Overall, the Trades & Technology Olympics was a great success with both students and teachers expressing appreciation for the opportunity to participate, and it provided a great start to the many other upcoming events that Skills Canada Manitoba has planned for this year. Stay tuned for Extreme Sledding, coming soon to the Grade 7’s!
