A collaborative campaign involving the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, the North Superior Workforce Planning Board, and local secondary and post-secondary education institutions aims to promote youth retention and career development in the community.
Engaging youth
The Experience Learning Campaign includes high school, college, and university placements, giving students the opportunity to experience real workplace experience with classroom education. This allows students to learn hands-on skills in their chosen field that can assist them in planning for future careers outside of school.
The initiative includes six education sector partners:
- Lakehead Public School Board
- Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board
- Northern Nishnawbe Education Council and Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School
- Confederation College
- Lakehead University
- Conseil Scolaire de District Catholique des Aurores Boréales
The campaign includes an emphasis on skilled trades development, which includes tie-ins with the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Work-Integrated Learning at Lakehead University.
In addition to raising awareness of the many career opportunities available to students, the Experience Learning campaign highlights the value of youth placements to employers. When hosting a student co-op placement, employers can display what they love about their field while offering training that builds student aptitude that can determine whether they are a good fit for a future job or apprenticeship. Employers and students have the chance to develop a positive connection that can grow into a future employment opportunity.
Chamber president Charla Robinson emphasizes the importance of the initiative in the community, demonstrating the Chamber’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment that supports the growth and development of youth and businesses in the region.
“This collaboration is an extension of the work of the Education Training and Skills Development Taskforce, which was formed to raise awareness and facilitate active engagement between representatives of educational institutions and the business sector in Thunder Bay,” she says.
Building relationships
Gary Christian, the executive director of the North Superior Workforce Planning Board (NSWPB), acknowledges the significance of the Experience Learning campaign in combating labour shortages in the community.
“These local success stories showcase the importance of community engagement from our educational institutions and the business sector in Thunder Bay to meet future and current social and economic demands,” he said.
The Chamber’s Education Training and Skills Development Taskforce is doing important work in raising awareness of the benefits of community engagement and facilitating collaboration between different stakeholders. The Experience Learning campaign is just one example of the Taskforce’s efforts to promote economic growth and development in the region. By showcasing local success stories and highlighting the importance of community engagement, The Chamber continues to raise awareness and foster collaborations for the economic growth of Thunder Bay.
Learn how to attract student talent to your workplace: visit Experience Learning online.
