By Daniel Ozon, Communication Agent
The Make Way for Youth project recently took four students for an afternoon visit to the Priorité-Emploi job fair. The visit came about through a request by a Champlain College student who had recently signed up with Job Links. He and three other students from the Bishop’s/Champlain Refugee-Student Sponsorship program learned about the job fair and expressed interest in attending. Transportation was organized and each student was provided with information about the fair and on how best to prepare to meet with potential employers.
Make Way for Youth - Estrie is part of the Place aux jeunes en région initiative to promote the integration of young professionals into rural regions throughout the province. It is the only Place aux jeunes project in Quebec that is in English.
Make Way for Youth aims to promote and facilitate the professional integration of youth in areas outside large city centres. It does this is by offering post-secondary graduates from away free exploratory activities where they can meet employers and others who can help them integrate socially and professionally in the region, and other assistance in job search or getting settled.
The recent visit to Priorité-Emploi offered four local students the opportunity to meet and interact with representatives of some of the biggest employers in the region. Priorité Emploi is the largest job fair in the region. Held every year at the Sherbrooke CEGEP, the fair has over 50 exhibitors and welcomes more than 4,500 job seekers. The 2010 edition featured as many as 2,000 jobs to be filled.
Though two of the students had difficulty communicating in French, they were able to identify potential summer employment opportunities at a number of regional employers including Nordia, Charles River Laboratories, Wales Seniors’ Residence and Skyes.
All the participants are from outside the area, and the visit to Priorité-Emploi offered them their first exposure to the variety of employment opportunities that exist in the region. Peter Frank, a pre-commerce student at Champlain College, expressed confidence in finding a summer job and added, “I would consider living here if I can find a job.”
The visit highlighted the need for similar regional employment orientation initiatives for out-of-province, international and refugee students at local post-secondary educational institutions. Michelle Lepitre, Make Way for YOUth/Desjardins Migration Agent, noted a recent exploratory weekend included two German exchange students who greatly appreciated all the region has to offer. One of them commented that she would consider returning here when she completes her studies in Germany.
“It’s clear to me, after this year’s activities, that youth are interested in making the Eastern Townships their home,” said Michelle. “It is up to us, now, to help them find the opportunities that will enable them to make this their area home. I am already working on plans for the upcoming year’s discovery weekends, and I very much hope that this year’s activities will encourage even more young English speakers to fall in love with the Townships!”
LAST OUTSTANDING CHANCE
Townshippers’ Association is seeking nominations for the 11th annual Outstanding Townshippers Awards. And lucky you – the deadline has been extended to April 26! The Outstanding Townshippers Awards highlight contributions made to the life of the Eastern Townships English-speaking community. They aim to recognize fresh approaches and creativity in community service as well as long-term dedication. Nomination forms are available on the Association’s website at www.townshippers.qc.ca/C-outstanding.aspx or by contacting Kate Wisdom, Community & Culture Coordinator, at 450-242-4421 (1-877-242-4421) or kw@townshippers.qc.ca.
TOWNSHIPS P.I.: PRIZE WORTH $100
We at Townshippers are asking students in grades five and six to investigate and share a story about the history of the Eastern Townships with us.
What’s the reward for sharing? Participants could win a $100 dollar gift certificate to a local arts supply or book store, and see their work displayed during a reception preceding this year’s Annual General Meeting.
The deadline for entries is Friday, April 23 at 5 p.m., so there is still time to participate. For more information about this contest, contact Michelle at 819-566-5717 (1-866-566-5717) or ml@townshippers.qc.ca, or visit www.youthtownships.ca.
Photo Credit: Daniel Ozon
Photo Cutline: From left to right: Peter Frank (Pre-Commerce) from Burundi, Panchol Alier (Pure and Applied Sciences) from Sudan, Michelle Lepitre, Make Way for Youth/Desjardins Migration Agent, Claire Holt (Political Science) from Nova Scotia and Peter Bul Manyok (Chemistry) from Sudan outside the Expo-Sherbrooke building, site of the Priorité-Emploi job fair.