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L-R: Tom Courtney (HRDC), Scott Dawe (ACOA), Tracey
Perry (Coast of Bays Corporation), Gail Hoskins (Town of St. Alban's),
Terry Baker (Vice-Principal of Holy Cross) and Jamie Leroux (South
Coast Community Development Corporation)
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Holy Cross High in St. Alban's was the location for the Skilled
Trades Fair in the Coast of Bays on March 3 and 4. Sponsored by
Human Resources Development Canada and the South Coast Community
Development Corporation, the event was held to create an awareness
of the future demands for skilled trades to assist students in
making a career choice. There were displays set up by local
tradespersons and a number of training institutions from across the
province including public and private colleges.
The fair began with speeches by representatives of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, Human Resources Development Canada, the
Coast of Bays Corporation, the Town of St. Alban's, Holy Cross High and
the South Coast Community Development Corporation. The speakers
informed the students that in the next ten to twenty years, 40% of all
new jobs will be in the trades sector with 70% of these in such
occupations as welding, millwright, electrical and construction
trades. Some of the factors contributing to this include an
emphasis on the technology sector and university education, the baby
boomers are nearing retirement age and trades are required to keep
Newfoundland and Labrador competitive in the global marketplace. The
students were able to speak with the representatives of the various
booths to inquire of job prospects, course costs, funding,
accommodations and other points of interest. In addition to the
displays, there were workshops on various trades to provide an indepth
look at the course and demands in the workforce. |
