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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-10-27, Page 1818 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, October 27. 1999 Farm news Bridges to Agriculture cultivating young minds Brent Wuerth of Crediton tests corn at Cook's at Centralia as part of his co-op placement in the Bridges to Agriculture Project. By Kate Monk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — A new pro- gram is jump starting future farmers in Huron and Perth Counties. The Bridges to Agriculture Project pro- vides Intermediate to OAC students with up-to-date information on agricultur- al careers and gives grad- uating students hands-on experience through co-op placements. The. partnership between the Avon Maitland and Huron Perth Roman Catholic school boards is funded by the Ministry of Education and Training. Program co-ordinator Ron Ritchie told the T -A the program is unique' because it deals exclu-, sively with farming and agri-business and helps graduating students pre- pare for the work world. The four -credit co-oper- ative education compo- nent provides the bridge between students and agri-business. Ritchie said students with the intention of an agricultural career from the high schools in Huron and Perth counties were invited to enrol in the co- op program. Fourteen students from sevenhigh schools have enrolled in the project at South Huron District High School in Exeter this semester. Although only two- thirds of the ' students live on farms all 14 have an interest in careers in agri- culture. In this class, all the students are boys but organizers hope girls will also enrol in future ses- sions. The students have com- pleted five weeks of pre- employment sessions to prepare them for working on farms and at agri-busi- nesses including resumes, interviews and farm safe- ty- The first six-week work placement started Oct. 4 at area farms (dairy, swine, equine, beef and hobby), elevators and a farm machinery dealer- ship. Most students have co-op placements within 10 km of their homes. They are expected to work 30 hours a week with hours consistent with a farm business. For • example, Brent Wuerth of Crediton starts his work day at 7 a.m. at Cook's Division of Parrish and Heimbecker Ltd. at Centralia. The Ministry of Education and Training covers the associated employee costs such as Workers Compensation. Students are not paid financially but co-op placements can lead to full-time or part-time jobs. "The focus is on earning job skills and credits," Ritchie said. "It's taking the school and extending it beyond the walls." Employers are asked to treat the co-op students as they would employees and train the students in job skills. For example, if a student was working with a mechanic, he would become the mechanic's assistant. Ritchie and Judi McLeod work with the co-op placements and regularly visit the job : sites. Wendy Case helps students with their job skills on a one- to-one basis. Every two weeks, the students return to the classroom for "reflective learning" to discuss how the place- ment is going, Ritchie said. Students will be matched with another six week co-op placement at a different business or farm later in the semes- ter. In February, the pro- gram will be offered at Mitchell District Secondary School so stu- dents from the eastern part of the school boards can easily participate. In early November, the pro- gram co-ordinators will be interviewing interested FARM &MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE Specializing in: • Farm & Municipal Drainage • Clay & Plastic Tile Installations • Backhee & Dozer Service • Septic System Installations For Quality, Experience & Service call: Wayne Cook (519) 236-7390 R.R. 2 Zurich Ont. NOM 2T0 vwvw. hay. net/ --drainage aa■ 474 IIMrrwRICER L1 M llTIIED students. Well received in community Businesses and the community have jumped on board to provide co-op placements and act as resource people for ag- related education. "The business commu- nity has overwhelmingly supported the program," Ritchie said. Cook's manager Bruce Lamont said the Bridges program is a way for his company to develop staff resources from within the company by getting stu- dents who are potential employees involved in the business. " W e ' r e always look- ing for new employees to come through the sys- tem," Lamont said. He said the six-week placement would be a good way for Wuerth to decide if he likes the busi- ness especially with the wide range of work done at Cook's. From Wuerth's perspec- tive, it's a good opportu- nity to learn about farm- ing. Although Wuerth doesn't live on a farm, he said when he was grow- ing up, he was his grand- father's "shadow" on his farm. "Someday, I want to own my own little farm," Wuerth said. He works part time on a farm now and his duties include delivering grain and beans to Cook's. His co-op placement has given him the chance to see the other 'side of busi- ness. During his first week at Cook's, he worked on a variety- of jobs includ- ing operat- ing the scales, measuring beans and corn in the elevators and clean- ing out Last year ' s beans. . Wuerth said it's easier to learn about agri- business through a co-op placement than in the classroom. The .Bridges to Agriculture Project has two other components. The first is a comprehen- sive display highlighting agriculture in Huron and Perth. It is circulating through all the schools and has been at fairs and the International Plowing Match. The display :.also "The focus is on earning job skills and credits. It's taking the school and extending it beyond the walls." —RON RITCHIE BRIDGES TO AGRICULTURE PROJECT CO- ORDINATOR promotes the program to Gr. 7 to 10 students. An entrepreneurship workshop for Gr. 11 stu- dents is a second compo- nent. With the help of the Huron Business Centre and the Huron Employment Liaison Program, students com- plete a survey to deter- mine if they're suited for running their own busi- ness. The Human Resources Development Centre is analyzing the results of the survey tested at Goderich District Collegiate Institute to see if it will continue in other schools. For three years, similar programs such as tourism have been offered in school boards throughout the province, tailored to the regional economy. This is the first year the program has been offered in the Avon Maitland and Huron Perth Roman Catholic school boards. Enough funding has been received for this school year and the grant may be renewed for another two years. To get involved as a stu- dent or a co-op place- ment, call Ritchie at the Avon Maitland office at (519) 527-0111 ext. 120 or via e-mail at Ron_Ritchie@fcmail. avon- maitland.on.ca KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM FALLEN WIRES Ice storms, high winds or fallen tree limbs can bring hydro lines down. Even a fallen wire that seems dead can be dangerous. Stay away from the wires, warn others to keep clear and call your local hydro or the police to report the fallen wire as soon as possible. If there's a live power line touching your vehicle, stay inside until a hydro crew removes the line, putting even one foot on the ground can be a fatal move to make. If you must leave because of fire, jump dear without touching the car and the ground at the same time. For advice or assistance, call our Customer Communications Centre at 1-888-664-9376 or visit our website at www.onhydro.com for more safety information. Ontario Hydro Services Company