Skills Ontario presents the Skills Ontario First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Conference

Apr 24 2017

 

Skills Ontario is  proud to present  the 2nd annual  Skills Ontario First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Conference in conjunction with the Skills Ontario Competition.

Taking place on Tuesday, May 2nd, students will explore the Skills Ontario Competition exhibitors and contests, try different hands-on activities and challenges, and hear from eight mentors working in the skilled trades and technologies. Eight Aboriginal Student College Recruiters will also be present at the conference to provide information about post-secondary education and training. Kateri Skaarup, COO of Skaarup Construction, will deliver the keynote address.

Targeted for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students and stakeholders,  the  conference will provide participants  an  opportunity  to  celebrate  the  success  and  skill  of  First  Nations,  Métis,  and  Inuit students in Ontario. This year’s conference is sponsored by Union Gas, the Government of Ontario, the  Aboriginal  Apprenticeship  Board  of  Ontario,  and  the  Niagara  Peninsula  Aboriginal  Area Management Board.

Skills Ontario is encouraged to see the increased interest expressed by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities  from  across  the  province  –  including  the  participation  of  150  students  at  the  First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Conference this year.  An anonymous donation to a school group from the Lakehead District School Board helped them travel to the conference this year.

“Skills Ontario  First Nations, Métis, and Inuit  Initiatives aims to continue increasing the involvement of First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth, and to spark their  interest in skilled trades and technology professions,” says Ashley Pszeniczny, Program Manager for  First Nations, Métis, and Inuit  Initiatives at  Skills  Ontario.  “As  more  youth  consider  viable  career  options  for  themselves,  they  are  able  to contribute  to  economic and  social  well-being not only within  their  communities,  but  also  for  the broader province of Ontario.”

About Skills Ontario

Skills Ontario is building Ontario’s skilled trades and technologies workforce. We enable and empower all youth, including women and Aboriginal youth, to consider a career in the skilled trades and technologies. Engagement with students, teachers, parents, volunteers, employers and mentors ensure our programs connect education, experience, and employment. We deliver in-school presentations across Ontario, host Canada’s largest skills competition, run  summer camps  for skills development and connect students  to employers.  We  are  focused  on  growth  sectors  such  as  construction  and  infrastructure,  technology innovation, and hospitality services.

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