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Skills Ontario is proud to present the 2nd annual Skills Ontario First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Conference in conjunction with the Skills Ontario Competition.
Taking place on Tuesday, May 2nd, students will explore the Skills Ontario Competition exhibitors and contests, try different hands-on activities and challenges, and hear from eight mentors working in the skilled trades and technologies. Eight Aboriginal Student College Recruiters will also be present at the conference to provide information about post-secondary education and training. Kateri Skaarup, COO of Skaarup Construction, will deliver the keynote address.
Targeted for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students and stakeholders, the conference will provide participants an opportunity to celebrate the success and skill of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in Ontario. This year’s conference is sponsored by Union Gas, the Government of Ontario, the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario, and the Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board.
Skills Ontario is encouraged to see the increased interest expressed by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities from across the province – including the participation of 150 students at the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Conference this year. An anonymous donation to a school group from the Lakehead District School Board helped them travel to the conference this year.
“Skills Ontario First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives aims to continue increasing the involvement of First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth, and to spark their interest in skilled trades and technology professions,” says Ashley Pszeniczny, Program Manager for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives at Skills Ontario. “As more youth consider viable career options for themselves, they are able to contribute to economic and social well-being not only within their communities, but also for the broader province of Ontario.”
About Skills Ontario
Skills Ontario is building Ontario’s skilled trades and technologies workforce. We enable and empower all youth, including women and Aboriginal youth, to consider a career in the skilled trades and technologies. Engagement with students, teachers, parents, volunteers, employers and mentors ensure our programs connect education, experience, and employment. We deliver in-school presentations across Ontario, host Canada’s largest skills competition, run summer camps for skills development and connect students to employers. We are focused on growth sectors such as construction and infrastructure, technology innovation, and hospitality services.
