April 16, 2008 - ITA Youth Programs Newsletter
The Industry Training Authority publishes a regular newsletter, and
this month's issue is all about careers in the "green" industry! Click
here to download your copy now...
April 16, 2008 - ITO Supports Youth Interest in Hort Trades
As part of HortEducationBC’s mandate to promote horticulture
training to young people and build interest in the trade, the organization
facilitated the participation of two post-secondary teams at Skills
Canada’s provincial competition last month.
The philosophy of Skills Canada competitions is to reward students
for excellence, provide a forum for industry and education to work
together in evaluating student performance, and to keep training relevant
to employers’ needs. Skills Canada events are also the largest
showcase of trade and technology occupations in the province, providing
visitors with a chance to access current labour market information,
talk to career education professionals, and view the competitions live.
Said Anne Kadwell, HortEducationBC President, “Events like Skills
Canada are what will drive youth to the horticulture industry, and
propel it as our workforce ages. Seeing trades in action in this
format piques the interest of creative, active, young people, and gives
them a taste of the career potential available to them. It’s
perhaps the best tool we have for attracting landscape professionals
now and securing a workforce for the long run.”
HortEducationBC is extremely proud of the Camosun
College competitors, Emily Parsons and Mary Sprague
who walked away with Gold, who have the opportunity to compete at
Skills Canada’s national competition,
and with and Jennifer Kiak and Neil Grant who took Silver. The board
extends special thanks to Camosun College faculty member Dale Toronitz,
who enthusiastically supported his students’ participation
at this important event. Thanks also to the following industry
volunteers and sponsors who donated time and materials to the competition:
Sponsors:
Finning Canada use of skid steer
Northwest Landscape
Supply Ltd. selection of masonry
products
Cedar Rim Nursery Ltd. plant material
West Central Forest Products wood material
Burnco circle kits
Kwantlen University College tools
Volunteers:
Bill Hardy, Northwest Landscape Supply Ltd.
Brian Huttema, Mijodelu Landscaping and Renovations
Chris Haslock, Blasig
Landscape Design & Construction
Ltd.
Jerry Ingram, GSU Landscaping
Mike Vandergugten, Higher Ground Landscaping and Design
PJ Burns, Kwantlen
University College
Rob Welsh, Capilano
College
