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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1994-05-25, Page 5Student co-op _programs IT'SYQLJRB LJSINES Times -Advocate, May 25, 1994 Page 5 Students get on the job training at local businesses while earning high school credits By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff EXETER - It's not surprising to hear that getting a job these days is tough, regardless of how qualified the person might be for the posi- tion. And with the job market tight it can be difficult for someone fresh out of school to gain experience needed to land that first career - oriented job. That's where co-operative educa- tion programs like the one offered at South Huron District High School come into play. The pro- gram allows students to gain on the job training while earning school credits. Right now there are 80 students working in various jobs locally. Students can be found in almost every field imaginable from farm- ing to teaching and even working in funeral homes. Janice Walker, teacher/monitor of the program, said co-op educa- tion not only gives students a taste of the working world, but it also al- lows them to learn more about their own abilities and interests. She said co-op education is im- portant for many students who want to get a sense of whether they are suited to a particular job. As well, co-op education is be- coming necessary for students who have to compete against hundreds of others for limited program space at colleges and universities across the country. "The work experience is some- times that little extra edge a student might need to get in," Walker said. In fact many of the students who are taking part in the program this year, said they needed job ex- perience just to be considered for entrance into a post -secondary pro- gram. That's the case for Heather Steck- le, who hopes to become an ele- mentary teacher when she finishes university. Realizing competition is stiff in the field, Steckle wanted to be sure this was the job for her - so she de- cided to do a co-op term at Usborne Central School with the Grade 2 class. 'I think I learned a lot there. I en- joyed interacting with the kids," she said. Basically, Steckle acted as a teacher's assistant, helping small groups of children. "1 also had the chance to teach a few periods of physical education," she said. The experience, Steckle said, makes her feel more confident in her decision to go into teaching. "I know it's something I would enjoy and it's something I want to do," she said. That's also the case for Marianne Eagleson who is trying to get into the funeral directors program at Humber College - one of only two places the program is offered in Ontario. Humber received over 700 ap- plications, but will only be ac- cepting 125 students. Eagleson's interest in the busi- ness stems from her family. Her father is also in the business. And it's a career she has always wanted nmmRaMansmr:""m'mallhmiussl:A'',, „ t �► 7'151: :;,; miler€„ t� �c, w ,p, .ra aa . * x1111g111 t11re1r ” lar• :IN feltlt ., n aetv>�iM.IIa1.M.111 MI11111rr11rrr 1 , , tt� lila Ips_ .1' x3,as*sralp III 1111411111. r -+Fa.; '4Y4Y+ . mia --r�... ; x x,, rs r a xmr.- t �i111111r�etMll`' <,'raurs to pursue. "This should give me a bit of an edge over the other students ap- plying," Eagleson said. She has spent two co-op terms, or more than 400 hours, working at Hopper Hockey Funeral Horne. "1 have observed or helped out in all areas of the business," she said. Basically she works as an assist- ant to funeral director Bob Haskett. "She now has a broad perspective of the job," Haskett said. "This is an excellent opportunity for her to learn about the job," he said of par- ticipating in the co-op program. Now all Eagleson can do is cross her fingers and hope she is one of the lucky ones to be accepted into the Humber program this year. Of course, Eagleson isn't the only one trying to get into a competitive program. Steve Hendrick hopes to even- tually get into the veterinary pro- gram at the University of Guelph. He decided to do hid. co-op term at the Ilderton EquineClinic. "Getting into the vet program will be tough work. It will also mean about six more years of school, so 1 wanted to be sure this is what I really want to do," Hen- drick said of his decision to do a co-op term. Hendrick considers himself fairly lucky to have done the work term at the horse clinic. He said he was the first high school student to be there. "It was a great opportunity to see Targe animal surgery," he said. As well, Hendrick said he was able to make some valuable con- tacts with people in the business. Wayne Robinson also hopes his work term helps him gain more contacts in the business. Robinson is trying to break into the field of firefighting. He knows competition is stiff and realizes he will probably be re- jected for the first few years he ap- plies, but Robinson says he's de- termined to make it. That's why he decided to do his work term at the Exeter Fire sta- tion. While he has worked as a vol- unteer firefighter in Brucefield, he said the work term at the Exeter station has allowed him to use dif- ferent equipment and learn more about the responsibilities of a fire- fighter. He has done fire inspections and has been working at the tire hall for the last three months without a su- pervisor. "1 just do whatever needs to be done here," Robinson said. That means everything from dispatching to filing and, of course, washing the fire trucks. �Ratatlee1 res, �+a�rn,4,e�1°• •r,rs.A. M�Murs�.y�eeerta.a�'e'"r usumeeilliMfi r•r •• met . ,r*.,. 4� aft +teltart a > rw*www: !A x s. .u1ee�lao.laA=x 711111 tam INN. tee•MIMI::. Nom 111111111111111111111111111 *» •�e-4111 MUM �.rr.. 111 al,.l..tt• aata,. I w'..a.r "+» ro . .;a.r rear .ww A ems "Om t..ttrrrm .a ' s 10111111111101111111111011.61M' 111t lith lr•" 111111.1111011111.01.100.101t1mrtrr1111 Ia1a11t1 r r -, • t X1111~ 40010velegeli 101.111111111" SkigrOPP Mill= A aM1111�1 pm v rrrt Steve Hendrick is one of 80 students from South Huron District High School participat- ing in a work term. Hendrick spends his work time at the Ilderton Equine Clinic. III "I\I Ns 1►11 111 I 1111 5' \11 t\I 1 I'I((►L't 1 \I«' 1(1 1 11 \ I 1 ►\ I It l 11( \\\ \' Itlall\I) I\ 1111 K 1' \\ \II \ I s, l()R 11111 C 1,\.I 11 1(l11\ 1 111 PAUL.). PICKERI\(1 181'01:1 l\ 11%\h1111)1(1 (0\sI !Mt, I. I',inl 1iiken, Manager 3It%ill ill It) S1.1..111\10\ (519) -i82-12-11 or loll Irrr 1.80()-561.".i5 1 11(.1(1 t►lficc I I 1 \\ .Ilt'rlon %MT!. 1 omlon (' •2tot At top left Co-op stu- dent Wayne Robinson says he hopes to even- tually become a fire- fighter. At right student Marianne Eagleson stands with co-op em- ployer Bob Haskett while to left Heather Steckle reads to some students in the Grade 2 class at Usborne. - C. M. H. A. Huron & CKNX afn - re NTRY RECORDING ARTISTS trir#' Jim Witter ('Stolen Moments'. 'Distant Drum') Cassandra Vasi Friday, May 27, 1994 8:00 pro - 11:00 pm Goderich Community Centre 166 MacDonald St. Goderich Saturday, May 28, 1994 8:00 pm- 11:00 pm South Huron Recreation Centre 94 Victoria St., Exeter TICKETS -- $18,00/person (plus applicable taxes) •Porkoge Rotes ore 000doble for groups of 10 0, ,,w"r 'all Jod,or4829311 TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM... it Ernie King's Wingham - 357-2811 *Exeter & Goderich Recreation * Carman Cameras mennolLENTS Departments G E'Age of majority required in licensed areas II proceeds to the Canadian Mental iealth Association 1 Robinson also had the op- portunity to practise with the Exet- er firefighters in their smokehouse. "After being here, 1 really know this is what I want," Robinson said. "It's just a matter of gaining more experience," he said. INVESTMENTS GIC/RSP 1 Yr. - 6.6096 3Yr. -7.50% 5 yr. - 7.85% Segregated Funds 1 YR. - 12.84% 2YR. -11.72% 3YR. -10.06% Gaiser-Kneale 235-2420,238-8484 • G/C rates subject to change. Short- term rates available. Segregated fund rates reflect actual past performance. Future returns will vary. For Your Interest MUTUAL TRUST GIC* $25,000 - $99,999 1 year 6.50% 2 year 7.05% 3 year 7.30% 4 year 7.50% 5 year 8.05% GODBOLT FINANCIAL SERVICES 496 Main St. Exeter 235-2740 ' Rates for Guaranteed Investment Certificates as of a May 17, 1994 and are subject to change •I The Mutual Group JFacing Tomorrow Together Mutual Trust is a member of the Mutual Group. Agent licensed with Mutual Lite of Canada/Mutual Investco Inc., two of the Mutual Group TALENT • SEARCH I3IX93 COUNTRY 92.7 FM 2PM Sunday, June 5 SOUTH HURON REC. CENTRE, EXETER WHITE OAKS MLL HOMEPOWNEBREWERI E SL T D. Tickets $ 2 & Available At; South Huron Rec. Centre Art's Auto Repair, Exeter 8z Blythe Exeter Insurance & at the door Proceeds to Exeter Optimist Club