Local Grade 7-8 students link up with technology at two campuses
Employers, our economy and our society need technical skills now and in the future.
The recently-issued Rae report on post-secondary education makes clear the need for higher education in all walks of life, the need for skills training connected with employment, and the need for colleges and school boards to work more closely in preparing young people for career and educational success.
To present the benefits of technical education and careers to local Grade 7 and 8 students, Conestoga College and two local public school boards (Waterloo Region and Upper Grand) are cooperating to present Trades and Technology Day on Thursday, February 17 at Conestoga campuses in Kitchener (Doon) and Guelph.
Each half-day session will provide participating students and teachers with the opportunity to meet with Conestoga faculty in specific technical career areas, ask questions, gain valuable information and engage in some hands-on activities in workshop/lab settings.
The Doon activities are in fields as varied as electricity, electronics, wood products production, precision machining, robotics, architecture, graphics, paramedic, practical nursing and computer programming. The Guelph activities look at areas such as welding engineering, automotive technology, plumbing, carpentry, industrial mechanics, and standard and computerized machining.
Each session begins with a general information meeting. Participants then move to workshops in their areas of interest for a deeper look at technical careers and programs. The morning sessions go from 9:30-11:30 a.m., while the schedule for the afternoon group is 12 noon-2 p.m.
In all, the Guelph sessions will attract approximately 150 participants, while the Doon sessions will attract approximately 250.
CONTACT: Hans Zawada, 519-748-5220, ext. 3370 / 519-824-9390, ext. 151