The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is joining forces with local school boards to encourage high school students to consider all career options, especially those in trades.
Representatives from the St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) and Lambton-Kent District School Board (LKDSB) made a special appearance at Monday night's council meeting to deliver a presentation on experimental learning opportunities for high school students in Chatham-Kent.
Nicole Beuckelare from LKSDB and Warren Seton from SCCDSB are both coordinators for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), which links students with employers to provide various career-focused learning opportunities.
The pair says the program is intended to promote multi-career pathways to students of all abilities. They say it is important to allow students to take part in hands-on activities and to keep the community connected through experimental learning.
Mentorship, job shadowing, volunteering, summer jobs, and apprenticeships are just a few of the opportunities students at the school boards have access to through the OYAP program.
After the presentation, the OYAP coordinators request for continued support of the program was granted by council.
"The trades don't seem to be very appealing to young people these days, but there's going to be such a strong demand. I think this is a great idea," says Councillor Steve Pinsonneault.
Seton says there is also provincial funding available for employers to support these various co-ops and apprenticeships.