On Monday November 3, 2008, events are being held across the country to help introduce young Canadians to successful careers in skilled trades and technology. To showcase the importance of careers in these fields, and to kick off National Technology Week and National Skilled Trades Day, activities planned by each province will be announced in the House of Commons.
The provincial event for PEI is Career Options PEI Day. This event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is being held at the gymnasium at UPEI and is open to the public. It is a tremendous opportunity for students and career changers to explore various career options.
On November 3, hundreds of high school students from across the province will be bussed to UPEI to participate in interactive learning sessions hosted by over 30 organizations. They will engage in activities which include installing siding and gyproc, running electrical wires, participating in video gaming, assembling aircraft components and maneuvering robots. Unlike traditional career fairs, students have an opportunity to not only talk with experts in a variety of occupations, but also try simple tasks that are representative of day-to-day activities associated with various career choices.
“In addition to exposing close to 1,000 students to potential career opportunities, we use this event to present an annual Excellence in Training award to a journey person who has done an exemplary job in training apprentices in the necessary skills of their trade,” says Paula MacKay, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator, with the Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning-Apprenticeship Branch. “Most people don’t realize that individuals employed in skilled trades and technology careers impact many aspects of our everyday lives. We feel it is important to recognize their achievements, which is why our department funds this event each year.”
The Association of Sector Councils manages a provincial career awareness initiative entitled Career Options. This multi-faceted campaign is designed to engage a diverse audience at a number of points along their career path. “The Association and the sector councils engage in events like this throughout the year as part of the Career Options campaign,” says Nancy Johnston, Executive Director of the PEI Association of Sector Councils. “They allow us to expose a large number of students to the vast array of career options available on the Island. The more opportunities we provide, the better chance we have of keeping our student here after graduation.”
National Technology Week is coordinated by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists, in partnership with the National Council of Deans of Technology and Skills Canada. Other organizing partners in the PEI event include Skills Canada PEI and The Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists of PEI.