By Melissa Schenk
“Become intrigued. Be inspired. Engage the futures of youth.” These are the goals of a recent community initiative that has been designed to support Huron-Perth region students, teachers and employers. This collaborative effort between local employers, partners in employment, the Perth-Huron Builders Association, the Huron Perth & Area Ontario Health Team and both the Avon Maitland District and Huron-Perth Catholic District School Boards was created to support and engage local youth, showcasing tangible opportunities to experience the diversity of local career choices.
The region is experiencing a skill and labour shortage that is dramatically impacting its economic growth. Youth represent the future and are integral to addressing this crisis.
A series of youth-driven videos has been created to bring awareness and engage students to actual career opportunities available in the region to allow youth to make informed career decisions. Primary sectors include construction, health care, hospitality, agriculture, transportation & logistics, and administration & social services/government relations. The series hopes to continue to expand.
By adding these virtual employer tours to the curriculum, open dialogue begins in the classroom and provides increased opportunity for workforce alignment, addressing themes of supporting informed career decisions, training, experiential learning and the engagement of frontline influencers.
The target audience for these videos is youth ranging from Grades 7-12. These engaging and informative videos are being shared digitally through partner websites, social media posts, and school boards and classrooms.
Being aware of available options in the region and being given the opportunity to dream and engage is an essential component of an effective job search for youth who are seeking current and future employment opportunities.
For more information, contact Melissa Schenk, executive officer for PHBA, at (519) 276-0006.
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