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Burlington, Ontario - The Yves Landry Foundation (YLF) is pleased to be celebrating Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School’s (CCCSS) partnership with the Yves Landry Foundation. Today, CCCSS will be receiving our second vintage vehicle for restoration, in support of YLF’s recently launched “Get it in Gear” project. The Get it in Gear project was created as a response to the alarming rates of skilled trade shortages, manufacturers struggling to find qualified workers and the lack of awareness by young people and their parents about the good jobs within the trades, right here in Ontario.
Corey Deschamps, Chairman of the Yves Landry Foundation, Board of Directors says, “we are so pleased to be partnering with Corpus Christi Catholic High School who is willing to take on an automobile restoration project. Clearly they have the passion for this project and are prepared to make it happen for their students; we are so happy to be welcoming CCCSS into this project.”
The Yves Landry Foundation, is a federal not-for-profit and for nearly 20 years has been encouraging life-long learning, promoting the trades, and supporting the manufacturing sector by building resiliency through investments in upskilling and training initiatives. “It’s all about creating highly qualified people”, says Karyn Brearley, Executive Director of the Yves Landry Foundation. “Our existing workers in Ontario need to keep their skills upgraded, in order for Ontario to remain competitive. At the same time we need to be developing the next generation of workers. We are gravely concerned about the lack of young people choosing careers in the trades. This is impacting Ontario’s ability to compete and grow”.
So to help draw attention to the problem as well as try to address it, YLF has purchased three classic vehicles in need of restoration. Ms. Brearley, says “it takes many skilled trades people to restore an automobile, such as welders, fabricators, machinists, mechanics, upholsters, auto-body painters to name a few.” This project is about encouraging young people to consider the trades. Learn about the trades by touching and getting back to the basics. “We are well aware most young people don’t take trades courses. And those that do, very few continue on after high school. We hope that by getting inspired by a charity project like this, that it might resonate with more young people, and that they will continue in post-secondary or apprenticeship and go on to develop a successful career in the trades”. But it must start with learning the tools.
Creating a new generation
Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School is receiving a 1951 Ford F100 Pick Up truck to restore for charity. The automotive team at Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School believes in what this project is trying to accomplish. Gabriel Goulart, Department Head for the Technological Studies and Project Lead, with over 13 years teaching experience, says “since I started teaching automotive classes I’ve always wanted to restore a vintage car with my students. But we’ve never been in a position to do it. YLF has provided that opportunity through this project. I think this will be a tremendous learning experience for our students here at CCCSS.”
Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School is situated at 5150 Upper Middle Road in North Burlington between Appleby Line and Burloak Drive. Corpus Christi has an approximate area of 170,000 square feet and a capacity for 1,161 students. The very efficient design of the three storey school began in March, 2007 and was completed for the opening of school on September 2, 2008.
The school offers a full range of Academic and Applied courses as well as a wide range of Technological offerings. In particular, in grade nine, students are able to first gain experience of Transportation Technology in the Exploring Technologies course. Students are then able to continue their Transportation Technology studies in grade ten, and at the college level in grades eleven and twelve. The school works closely with the Catholic School Council and parents to provide course options and extra-curricular activities geared to the needs of the community.
Follow along at http://www.yveslandryfoundation.com/get-it-in-gear/
Or via Twitter: @YLFCanada
