Students in the Battlefords and area were able to learn about the possibilities awaiting them after graduation last week during two separate events.
The first was hosted by Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs at the Western Development Museum, March 28 and 29.
A wide range of students, from Grade 6 to North West Regional College, attended the Passport to Success career fair.
Each student was given a passport to be filled out by finding key information from presenters. Depending on how much information they filled out, the students were entered into draws to win prizes such as laptops and iPods.
Pat Bugler, enhancement coach with BATC Education, said, "the kids are very engaged and they're asking some great questions."
Bugler said an often overlooked component of education is ensuring students are aware of the options they have when entering the workforce.
"We have kids who don't really know what's out there," said Bugler, adding he believes career planning initiatives, such as job shadowing and career presentations, should be incorporated into education as early as Grade 6.
Bugler said the presenters at the fair, which included Prairie North Health Region, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Saskatchewan Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council (SPBCTC), RCMP and Canadian Forces, as well as a number of post-secondary institutions, were doing a good job of explaining career choices to the students.
"We have a small, small slice of what's out there today, but it's still something the kids haven't seen," said Bugler.
Bill Steeves, a business agent with SPBCTC, said a big advantage of choosing a trade as a career is that students can earn as they learn.
"You don't need any student loans," said Steeves, explaining this makes it easier to change your mind about your career path, as you haven't invested thousands of dollars in post-secondary fees.
"Trades are pretty easy to get into," he said, adding, "Construction's going to be booming here."
Another booth explained the Mechanical Industry Trades Careers program, a 10-week program which pays students to learn a trade and assists them in finding a position in the industry.
"It gets people ready to go into a trade," said Lloyd Attig, career and employment coach, explaining the program teaches a variety of life, career and communication skills, "everything from self-care to nutrition to waking up on time."
The program, which is funded by the Mechanical Contractors Association of Saskatchewan, is currently only offered in Saskatoon, although the possiblility of offering the course in North Battleford is being explored.
The career fair was well received among students, with a higher than expected turnout for both days of the event.
Ryan Nicotine, a first-year student at North West Regional College said, "this is a good thing for these kids and I'm learning stuff too."
Nicotine said the fair showed him there are a variety of options - he even had a few job offers.
"Setting a goal in life is the only way to succeed," said Nicotine, adding the fair gave him some ideas for the future.
Grade 9 student Marisa Chakita echoed that statement, saying after visiting a number of the booths she learned, "you need your education."
After going to the event, Chakita said the fair presented her with more options when considering her future path, and she now plans to join the navy.
The second event took place at North Battleford Comprehensive High School, March 30, and featured a number of guest speakers.
The career day, organized by counselors from NBCHS and John Paul II Collegiate, ran all day and allowed students to select five sessions out of 70 offered sessions, including social worker, travel consultant, welding, engineering, commercial pilot, and many more.
A majority of the sessions featured local business people and employees explaining the pros and cons of their career path, as well as what it takes to get started and succeed. Fire Chief Pat MacIsaac spoke about the day in the life of a firefighter, Owen and Ilona Bannerman, of Bannerman Studio talked about photography, Dr. Erik Engelbrecht, a local physician, explained the demands of being a family physician and Alice Wuttunee of Prairie North Health Region gave an overview of careers in the health care industry.
The key speaker of the event was Albert Jame, creative director of ZU, a website design and strategy company whose list of clients includes PotashCorp, Cameco and the Calgary Stampeders. Jame spoke about the power of social media and interactive marketing.
A number of post-secondary institutions also had representatives at the event, including the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina and Lethbridge, Lakeland, Olds and North West Regional colleges.
