The City of Guelph has benefited significantly from our partnership with the Career Education Council.  Like other workplaces, employee recruitment is a challenge and the attraction of talented, motivated, and skilled young people is part of the solution. City employees visit classrooms during Local Government Week to talk about different career opportunities in local government.  We host students for learning opportunities during Public Works Week.  Our staff have participated in programs such as the College Heights Career Fair, Take Our Kids to Work Day, Career Pathways event for grade 8 students, and “Your Future, Your Choice” career and education fair. Members of our staff have also been involved on the Board of CEC. We currently have 18 Co-op Placements.  We have expanded our program to include more high school students and the response from staff has been extremely positive.

Specialist High Skills Major Outreach

"The partnership that we have with the CEC is important to the success of our SHSM initiatives. Community partners like yourself make all the difference in terms of a quality high school education and we're elated to be connected with such wonderful, dedicated and committed friends."  Jason Tran, Liaison Officer, Ontario Agricultural College

"Bell is very proud of our relationships across Ontario with our Community partners and we appreciate our relationship with the Career Pathways Dufferin Team. The Bell Team really enjoys the day with the students and our next generation in the workforce. Thanks again for the opportunity to participate in this years Career Pathways in Dufferin!"- Manager Community Affairs

Having a Career fair for younger students is invaluable. Quite often they have no real knowledge of future possibilities until they experience and are able to interact with people in the trades, jobs and post secondary institutions that are represented. It certainly influences their course selection in secondary school."
-Technology Teacher, J.F. Ross C.V.I., Guelph ON

"This event did a very god job of clearing my mind and helping me focus on my future. Now is the time when I need to start to think about what I want to do with my life." 
-Grade 8 student, Career Pathways Dufferin

 Classroom Speaker - Career Studies Class

"What I like is that a guy from Microsoft took the time to meet with us and share his story."
-Grade 10 student, Career Studies Class

Tours

"The students loved the tour and I would take the next group in a heartbeat." 
-SHSM teacher Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School, Guelph

Your Future Your Choice

"This event had great exhibitors and resources. Thanks for hosting an excellent event." 
-Parent, Your Future Your Choice

School

"CEC has been an incredible influence within our community and we value and look forward to our continued relationship." 
-Principal, Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School, Guelph

Take Our Kids To Work Day – Success Story

Email Sept. 2010 from a student who went to Take Our Kids to Work Day

I always wanted to go into a career which helped young people. I would see movies with these role models doing exactly what I wanted to do, however I had no idea how to get there. I never took the time to look further.

Then in grade 9 Take Our Kids to Work Day approached I had two places to choose from. I could either go with my Dad to his retail job or my Mom to Family and Children’s Services. I chose my Mom for the sole reason I did not want to go the retail business. As I arrived that morning with my Mom, I met several individuals going about their workday. I did small office jobs, however it was meeting the social workers that made me realize social work was what I wanted to do.

The two social workers I met both had passion for what they were doing and you could see it simply in the ways they talked about what they were doing that day. They were so connected and devoted to what they were doing and the people they were helping, which was very inspiring. I wanted to have a career I loved and after simply meeting these two social workers, it was almost instantaneous that I realized I wanted to be like them. I wanted the same determination to help and connect with their clients and do it with a smile.

Take Our Kids To Work Day greatly aided me in the career path I am now taking. In my second year at the University of Waterloo as a Social Development Studies student, I am learning everyday what it takes to be a social worker. Some things are scary and get me thinking twice, but thinking back to the people I met, I know I can do it.

Heather

Matt Herchel

In High School Matt Herchel took part in the community Home Build project with Reid’s Heritage Homes and it changed his life. He had the opportunity to be part of the building process from start to finish. "I gained tool knowledge and problem solving skills. But more than that, I got an inside look at the trades" said Matt who has graduated from High School and is now in his third year as an electrical apprentice.

"It was overnight for me because I did the home build and fell in love with it." Matt says the experience exposed him to a variety of trades before he had to commit to one and it helped him to make the decision to become an electrician. Without this experience he would not be in an apprenticeship program that he loves.

Students who choose to participate in the Home Build, as well as other co-op opportunities, are looking for alternatives or enhancements to learning in a regular classroom. Sometimes they know exactly what they want to do and sometimes they don't.

Matt believes that this experience was something that all youth should have the opportunity to try. As Matt says "The students are paid in opportunity and knowledge. We may have used a few extra nails but that is part of the learning and the final product was great!"

Nigel Dyer

Nigel Dyer spoke with passion at a local event this spring that recognized the Bishop Macdonell Business Education Partnership. He said that learning first hand about the business world has had a big impact on his future. Through this successful business-education partnership he had the valuable opportunity to job shadow business executives who provided mentorship and guidance.

"This experience brought business awareness to me and other students and provided opportunities that are invaluable" said Nigel. "This helped to clarify what I want to do in life."

This business experience will give Nigel a head start as he enters the University of Western Ontario for a degree in business this Fall. Good Luck Nigel!