MARY RUTH SNYDER
CAMPBELL RIVER – When someone says let’s talk about natural resources you think forestry, fishing, mining, right? Well, not in this case. We are talking about our greatest natural resource — ever — our youth.
As was warned years ago the baby boomers have begun to retire en masse, clearly amplified by the pandemic. So, the years ago warning, well, who knew it should have been a dire warning.
Companies and businesses, we do have a solution at least for some of the shortages.
We are speaking from first-hand experience — our new website, built by a Grade 12 student; our 8-month social media campaign celebrating businesses, managed by a NIC Intern; our social media channels, managed by a NIC Intern; updating of our internal database, managed by a VIU Intern; our upcoming launch of an online business database for the whole of our district, another NIC Intern.
Providing real world work experience to students will not only help your business, it will enhance students’ education and will ensure our collective future.
We have recently partnered with SD72 to launch the Industry Training and Certification Program (ITC) and have had nearly 30 companies reach out with entry level job positions that the school district has now posted on an internal job board for the students. In Q3 (Feb – Apr) and Q4 (Apr – Jun) the students can match with an employer for 10 weeks – 12 hrs/wk, to train and work. In addition to being paid minimum wage for 8 weeks (first 2 are unpaid training), the students also gain credits towards graduation. Any work beyond the 12hrs, or beyond the 10 weeks is up to the employer and student.
And you also have access to similar programs through North Island College (NIC) and Vancouver Island University (VIU). At NIC there is Career Central and a year ago NIC and VIU together launched a new web portal to connect employers and students: viwil.ca Vancouver Island Work Integrated Learning.
At both sites you’ll find onboarding resources, potential funding sources, and one-on-one support from staff. You can create an employer profile, post employment opportunities which get shared out to the students. The VIWIL portal reaches every post-secondary campus north of the Malahat.
Just your company with an injection of unbounding enthusiasm, insight, and a working knowledge of the latest technology, and in the case of the post-secondary students — the latest industry developments!
P.S. Register now for Canada 360* Economic Summit — The Future of Economic Growth with guest speakers: Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry; Tiff Macklem, Governor, Bank of Canada; Nik Nanos, Canadian Public Opinion Pollster
Mary Ruth Snyder is Executive Director of the Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce