CSTEC Promotes Steel Industry and Skilled Trades as Career Choices at Haldimand-Norfolk Youth Career Fair
(Last Updated 1/7/2010 CSTEC Coordinators Rod Eastman and Ron Tuff showed students at the Haldimand-Norfolk Youth Career Fair why they should look at the Canadian steel industry and at skilled trades as career choices. The career fair was held on November 19th, 2009 and was attended by over 400 students (grades 6-10), teachers and guidance counsellors from Simcoe and the surrounding Haldimand-Norfolk County. Approximately 40 local businesses and organizations were showcased, many with interactive displays. The students were organized into groups that moved from exhibit to exhibit and explored career opportunities. Each group had a card and exhibitors were given stickers to affix to their card indicating the exhibits where the group had visited and received information.

CSTEC engaged students by asking them if they would be interested in a job that paid from $50,000 to $100,000 per year. With their curiosity piqued, the CSTEC coordinators described an apprenticeship and outlined both the benefits of co-op education (such as earning as you learn and work towards a college diploma) and the need to prepare for post-secondary education by choosing subjects such as English, math, chemistry and physics. Handouts (from our CSTEC web site) explaining the co-op apprenticeship model and answers to frequently asked questions by employees and students were also distributed.

CSTEC also introduced its new interactive exhibit. The exhibit challenges young people to “dry fit” the representative plastic plumbing parts required in a waste water drain system (including a 3” plumbing stack, 3” toilet flange, 2” vanity sink drain, 2” shower drain and 1½” vent pipes) as they would be assembled by a skilled tradesperson during the construction of a bathroom. The display was very popular and most of the students worked in pairs to complete the challenge. CSTEC t-shirts were given to the first 15 students that were successful.

The career fair also promoted the Passport to Prosperity program, a province-wide campaign organized to increase employer participation in experiential learning opportunities for high school students. Through the employerregistry.ca web site, local employers can be added to the on-line database that connects educators and students. Employers willing to become involved in this initiative can provide a classroom talk, give a workplace tour, have a student volunteer or provide a co-op placement.