Conestoga news

February 11, 2004 1:45 PM

Grade 7 and 8 Students Look First-Hand at Technology

On Thursday, February 19, more than 200 Grade 7 and 8 students will be at Conestoga College campuses in Kitchener and Guelph to get a first-hand look at skilled trades and technology education and career opportunities.

The event is called Trades and Technology Career Day. The students have been selected to attend because of their interest in a future in the trades or technology. They come from schools in four school boards: Waterloo Region District School Board, Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Upper Grand District School Board and Wellington Catholic District School Board.

Conestoga College and Skills Canada - Ontario are also co-sponsoring the event.

Each visiting student will spend two hours at a campus. The morning session schedule is from 9:30-11:30 a.m.; the afternoon schedule is from 12 noon-2 p.m.

The event sequence at the Doon campus in Kitchener is an introductory plenary session in the Blue Room assembly area, followed by a 75-minute workshop session, followed by a summary activity in the Blue Room. Among the workshops are activities in robotics, telecommunications, electronics, wood products production, and computerized and precision metal machining.

At Guelph, the sequence is an introductory session in the campus cafeteria, followed by a 60-minute workshop session, then a tour of campus facilities and finally a summary activity at the cafeteria. Among the workshops are computerized and precision metal machining, welding, industrial mechanics, carpentry, auto service and plumbing.

The overall aim is for visiting students to see and hear about trades and technology as a rewarding, lifelong career option, to meet faculty who themselves have pursued careers in these fields, and to appreciate the essential and expanding role these career areas have in our diverse global economy.

CONTACT: Hans Zawada, Conestoga College, 519-824-9390, ext. 151 or 519-748-5220, ext. 3370