Graduating students take the first step into the work world
Sunday May 18 2008 By Roger Belgrave, Staff Writer High school students headed directly to the workforce recently got some help with their post-graduate job search at the 5th Annual Mission Employable Conference.
The event was held May 8 at the Pearson Convention Centre. Organized by both the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and the Peel District School Board, about 300 students from 55 high schools attended the event created to give graduating students entering the workforce advice and connect them with potential employers.
"It expands our minds about what we can do with our lives," said 18-year-old Olayinka Onile. "A lot of people that are here are not really sure what they are going to do after school."
The St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School student, who is considering an electrical engineering career, was particularly interested in hearing the keynote speaker's experience on breaking into a skilled trade.
Schoolmate Adam Faria sees the conference as a comfortable environment for an introduction to some careers students might be thinking about, but not really certain the job is right for them.
Seminars, interactive workshops and an employer expo are designed to give the students an opportunity to circulate resumes, learn tips for job searching and discuss opportunities available in the workforce.
"Today you will be provided with a glimpse into your very near future," Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Program Superintendent Marianne Mazzorato told students.
She encouraged the high schoolers to take advantage of the information provided in presentations and booths, set up by various employers, to network and share resumes with potential employers.
A video featuring Mike Holmes, professional contractor and star of television renovation show Holmes on Homes, encouraged students to consider a skilled trades career. Canada is facing a massive shortage of skilled trades workers, the teenagers heard.
"Our country's economic future is in your hands," Holmes said.
This year's keynote speaker was Corin "Pinky" Ames, the first female member of the contracting crew on Holmes on Homes. The 22-year-old told students she floundered during the final year of high school and eventually dropped out.
"In high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do," she said. "I had no idea where I was going."
After some uncertainty and trepidation, she succumbed to the lure of a skilled trades training program for women. The Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program offers females training for a career in the construction industry. It features class and job site training, including a paid work placement.
Ames's father was a handyman who never had to depend on someone else to fix or build things around the house.
"I wanted to be like that," the self-confessed high school girly girl told her young audience.
Towards the end of her training program, Ames was in Home Depot when a member of the Holmes crew, looking for women to be a part of the show, spotted her and asked if she was interested. Two-weeks later, the 19-year-old became part of the popular Home and Garden Television (HGTV) series.
"I never thought I could do what I'm doing now," she admitted.
Ames encouraged students to set short-term and long-term goals. Determination is the most important attribute needed to succeed in the employment world, she believes.
"There were people at my work that helped me of course, but I had to help myself first," she said.

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