News

Companies give boost to high school students

Companies give boost to high school students
By VINCENT BALL , EXPOSITOR STAFF


A couple of local companies have been presented with Passport to Prosperity employer champion awards for providing real-life work experience to high school students.

Rogers TV Cable 20 in Brantford and Waterford Electric were presented with the awards at a recent ceremony.

Established by the Provincial Partnership Council, the employer champion award recognizes employers across Ontario who demonstrate outstanding dedication and commitment to providing meaningful work experience to local high school students. The Passport to Prosperity campaign encourages employers to support co-op programs for students. Locally, the program is delivered by the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie.

"The opportunities provided by Rogers TV Cable 20 and Waterford Electric are examples of forward-thinking leaders recognizing the value of experiential learning as an effective way to recruit, train and retain young workers," said Jon Hamovitch, chair of the provincial council.

"We applaud the dedication of their employees in helping local students develop practical work and leadership skills through dynamic assignments that best suit their educational backgrounds and learning styles."

At Rogers TV, students in Grades 11 and 12 are introduced to television production and broadcasting. They shoot and edit daily news segments and help with studio production on several programs, including Inside Brant.

"Their participation plays an essential role in delivering our unique brand of local programming to viewers in Brantford and Brant County," said station manager Charles Wechsler. "Students work hands-on alongside staff to learn all aspects of television, including camera, audio, graphics and editing.

"This experience is what gives our students an edge when applying to post-secondary school broadcast programs."

Waterford Electric has been providing students with learning experiences for almost 30 years. Students work in all aspects of the business from inventory to invoicing to general cleanups. Students receive their own set of tools and hit the ground running, working alongside employees immediately after they arrive for their co-op placement.

"We take great pride in running an experiential learning program," said Paul Hrovyevich, owner of Waterford Electric.

Students get a chance to work on projects, such as the renovation of three local high schools. Waterford Electric also was commissioned to supply and install new electrical services and fixtures in Waterford United Church, which had suffered significant fire damage.

"One of our best practices is to partner with school boards and work directly with principals and teachers to understand first-hand what is happening in the schools, and what students want out of their experience with us," said Hrovyevich.

vball@theexpositor.com
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3192082