Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-03-22, Page 2FORD a5 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, March 22, 1995 Close-up CO-OP STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT JOBS - Co-op teacher Don Renshaw teaches job skills to students in the Co-op program at Seaforth District High School. The program has been very TIM CUMMING t ROTO successful, with two graduates recently moving straight from a Co-op placement into a full-time career. The two new employees are Matt Lee, of Walton and Jennifer Hargreaves, of Hensall. Students turn course into BY TIM CUMMING Expositor Editor Two former students of Seaforth District High School have good things to say about the school's co- operative education work placement program. Mau Lee and Jennifer Hargreaves were both given full-time, jobs after working as co-op students. Mau is working as the only full- time operator at the Hensall Com- post Facility. Jennifer is working at Seaforth Manor Retirement Home as a resident attendant. ' The two students finished their placements in January and were hired when their placements ended. "It's great, it really gives you a chance to see if you like that field you want to go into," said Matt. Jennifer agrees. "It gets you out in the community before going into a job or going to school," she said. "You know if you're going to like it or not." The new co-op teacher at Seaforth District High School, Don Renshaw, says the program serves students who are planning to find work soon or who may not be pursuing post -secondary education. Its introduction was part of a shift from the focus on students who were entering university. Students are often enthusiastic about the course. "They really want to get in this course and they really enjoy it," said the SDHS teacher. "There is almost 99 per cent positive feed- back from employers." The co-op program in Seaforth has been operating since 1988. There have been 105 different employers who have taken part in the program. Students have worked in such diverse occupations as health care, hairdressing, auctions, travel agencies and making furni- ture. Students in the co-op program receive two school credits. They spend 35 hours in school and 185 hours on the job. More than 20 people take the course each semes- ter. As part of the co-op program students learn about health and safety, workmen's compensation issues and unions. They also learn how to prepare resumes and letters TIM CUMMING PHOTO FULL-TIME OPERATOR AT COMPOSTING SITE Matt Lee joined the Hensall Compost Facility as a Seaforth District High School Co-op student but is now working at the facility full-time. of application. There is a banquet in June where employers are thanked for accepting students into their workplaces and certificates of appreciation are awarded. Participants in the program often learn if they like a particular line of work (or not) by actually trying it. They also have an opportunity to impress employers with their skills or enthusiasm. Some students have been hired on as part-time employees after their co-op work term. In exceptional cases, like Matt and Jennifer, they receive full-time work right out of school. In Matt's case one employee moved away and another was changing positions and the job of operator became available. "In this job you have to have the experience," said Matt. "My co-op program allowed me the experience it's impossible to get otherwise...the co-op experience was the biggest factor in me getting this job for sure." While spending the semester at the Hensall-area facility Matt Teamed how to operate the loader and the composting processor. He also joked that "I learned to sweep the building really well by the end of the program." The son of Chris and Judy Lee, near Walton, he recently returned from Florida where he was training for professional motocross racing. He says his years of motocross riding and working on bikes has come in handy in his job at the Hensall Compost Facility. "When you know how any motor works you can apply that to other machinery," he said. "It's a lot of common sense, you do daily main- tenance and identify problems." In his job he has to know a lot of biological principles. He must use the right combination of organic materials in the composting process. The materials include primarily beans but also other grains such as wheat and corn. Small organisms are then given the water and oxy- gen they need to multiply (creating heat in the process). Mau monitors the heat to see how well the process is going. Jennifer works the night shift at Seaforth Manor Retirement Home. Although most residents are sleep- ing they sometimes wake up and say 'Hi.' Her work includes night, checks on residents, geeing clean linen out for the morning and getting tables ready for the moming. The Hensall woman took a Health TIM CUMMING PSKOTO CO-OP JOB BECOMES NEW CAREER - Jennifer Hargreaves, of Hensall, folds some' linen at Seaforth Manor Retirement Home on Monday night along with registered practical nurse Charlene Foxton. Jennifer becamea resident attendant at the facility after working there on a Co-op placement. Seaforth Agricultural Society's SAE, GA�tDE�V In Our Show Facility and Arena Complex Wedneday & Thursday April 5 & 6 4:59 p.m. - 9:59 p.m. * SEE WHAT'S NEW * DISPLAYS & DEMONSTRATIONS •rvfog b • IN LIEU OF ADMISSION, DONATIONS TO THE HURON COUNTY FOOD BANK WOULD BE APPRECIATED. Care Aid course while attending high school. Working with the residents of the retirement home is a highlight for Jennifer. "I really like being around the residents." Dutch -language theatre show held in area The Woodstock Dutch Theatre Group will be presenting its 1995 production `De Haan Kraait Victorie' at three locations this spring. It is a four - act comedy in the Dutch language. It will be performed on April 8 at Clinton Town Hall, Clinton at 7 p.m. HEALTH ON THE HILL A Review of activities at SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SEAFORTH & AREA LONG TERM CARE MEETING: A special welcome extended to everyone to attend: Date: Thursday, March 23, 19'15 Place: Seaforth Community 11 ,r tal, Board Room Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon TOPICS: 1. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING 2. LET ME DECIDE (The Heath Care Directive that Speaks fur You When You Can't...) SEAFORTH PERINATAL INFORMATION SESSION: Next Session: Date: Thursday, March 23, 1995 Time: 7:30 p.m. TOPICS: FAIN MANAGEMENT Physiotherapy Rep. and Dr. Heather Percival Place: Seaforth Community Hospital, Conference Room 2 BAD TIMING Your Timing Couldn't Be Better For A Spring Tune -Up Quality Care Tune Ups. 4 cylinder 6 cylinder 8 cylinder $59.95 $69.95 $79.95 When you need service, you need it done right. That's why you'll find Quality Care at Hart Ford Mercury - factory trained mechanics, genuine .Motorcraft parts and . competitive, prices. Quality Care: the Jest care for your car or truck. CaII for an appointment today! Special Ends March 31st. MERCURY QUALITY CARE Where the Quality Continues- HART ontinues MART FORD MERCURY USED CARS ;;whim oR 502291 Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision LET US HELP YOU MAKE THE RIGHT ONE Quality Cars & Trucks GARRY WOODCOCK PIANO TUNING • REPAIRS • REBUILDING • KEYS RECOVERED • DAMPP CHASERS • REGULATING • BENCHES BRUCE PULSIFER 348-9223 MITCHELL See Complete List of Exhibitors in an upcoming Paper. Some Exhibitor Space Still Available Call 527-1321.