The Times Advocate, 2005-11-09, Page 14Crossroads
14
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Exeter Times Advocate
Tech day at St.Anne's encourages skilled trades
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
CLINTON — The
Huron -Perth Catholic
District School Board is
doing its part to encour-
age students to consider
a career involving
skilled trades.
St. Anne's Catholic
Secondary School host-
ed a "tech day" Nov. 3
for Grade 8 students in
all eight of its feeder
schools. About 20 stu-
dents took part in a day
featuring hands-on
training on different
manufacturing, technol-
ogy and communica-
tions equipment.
Called "Yours to
Discover — A Skilled
Career," the program is
designed to trigger
interest in students
about potential careers
in skilled trades.
Tim Martens, the
board Ontario Youth
Apprenticeship Program
(OYAP) co-ordinator
said this is the first year
such a program has
given Grade 8 students
hands-on experience on
tech machines. He says
the students "thorough-
ly enjoy" the chance to
learn about trades.
"We can see the
excitement on their
faces," he says.
Students were able to
make and take home a
variety of products such
as picture frames and
tape measures. Using a
number of tools in the
school's technology
department, students
learned how to cut
wood, sand and use a
router. In the school's
communications area,
they used the Internet,
photo editing software
and made their own
television broadcast.
Other activities includ-
ed welding and working
on a car.
Martens said there
will be a major shortage
of workers with skilled
trades starting in about
2011 and school boards
need to expose their
students to such areas
of study. While math
and science will always
be important, Martens
said technology needs to
be emphasized as well.
He added St. Anne's is
always developing new
technology programs
within the school.
Enrolment in technol-
ogy subjects is up and
co-op programs are
growing at St. Anne's.
Martens said that trend
will probably continue
as students realize
that's where the jobs
are.
The day was spon-
sored by OYAP and also
received funding from
the community. Martens
said the school will con-
tinue to host the tech
day as long as there is
funding for it.
"The kids just love
doing it," he said,
adding he hopes stu-
dents will discuss what
they learned with their
parents.
Grade 8 students from the eight feeder schools for St.Anne's Catholic Secondary
School spent Nov. 3 on a tech day using the school's various manufacturing and tech-
nology pieces of equipment.Above, St.Anne's Grade 12 student Liz Lalonde, left, helps
Grade 8 Precious Blood student Sarah Lovelace work on a picture frame.
Getting ready for some welding action at St.Anne's last week are Grade 8 stu-
dents Ben Weiler of Sacred Heart and Annique Eilers and Melanie Martens of St.
Boniface.The day was an effort to educate students about the variety of skilled
trades available for them to pursue. (photos/Scott Nixon)
New gas bar expansion for Hensall District Co-op
Two features of the newly -expanded Hensall District Co-op Gas Bar in Exeter
are a self serve island and a convenience store.The Co-op hopes to have the
self serve island open 24 hours a day early next year.Above is employee Julie
Decker -Szabo. (photo/Scott Nixon)
EXETER — The Hensall
District Co-op has unveiled
its new expansion at its
Exeter Gas Bar, including a
self service island and a
small convenience store.
Hensall District Co-op
CEO Earl Wagner said
although construction took
longer than at first sched-
uled, things are going well
with the expansion and
he's pleased with the out-
come.
"The package has come
together very well,"
Wagner said, adding the
Co-op is pleased to provide
a local alternative to the
major companies.
The new self serve island
allows customers to pay at
the pump with a Visa,
Mastercard or debit card.
Also, gas at the self serve
island is cheaper than at
the full serve pumps.
Another highlight of the
self serve island is the
expanded hours — pumps
will be open from 6 a.m.
until midnight, with the
hopes of providing 24 hour
service early next year.
The new small conve-
nience store offers tobacco
and other confectionery
items, including coffee.
The gas bar also includes
two wheelchair accessible
public washrooms, an
ATM, a propane facility,
new lighting and expanded
and improved entrance-
ways to avoid traffic con-
gestion.
Wagner said comments
from customers on the new
design of the gas bar have
been positive.
"It looks like a very clean
and user-friendly site," he
said.
Wagner said the Co-op
has been looking at making
an expansion for at least
three or four years to
improve service.
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