Christina - 25 March

This week provided a chance to get out of the office for a couple days and to participate in the Youth Employability Forum hosted by the Coaster’s Association in St. Paul’s River. The forum brought together students from the various high schools along the coast, although unfortunately not all high schools were able to attend, and some schools were only able to send a couple students due to flight costs, etc. In total 26 secondary four students participated, with some students in Chevery attending via video-conference. The two days were packed with information, and many groups along the coast – QLF, CEDEC, the Carrefour Jeunesse, the Desjardins, the Coasters and others – ran workshops or presentations for the students. The topics ranged from acquiring computer skills to learning how to write a decent resume/cover letter and how to do an interview. We listened to the stories of three local entrepreneurs, and learned about what it means to be an entrepreneur/self-employed/small business owner, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. We talked about opportunities that might exist along the Lower North Shore in the future, and I was able to give a presentation about opportunities in the environmental field both here and elsewhere. Many of the presenters re-iterated the importance of education and were adamant about the advantages that come with being bilingual.

At one point, the students divided into their regions and were asked to determine their regions' greatest advantages and the greatest challenges. Presenters were divided up so that each group had someone they could ask for help/to get them thinking about the area. I was with the Blanc-Sablon group, and learned a lot about the area as seen through the eyes of the students. While many of the students were relatively negative about the area – many seem to think there is nothing here, no organized activities like they used to have years ago, no job prospects etc. – and they can’t wait to leave. They also had some very valid and insightful points about positive change that could take place. At the end of the two days, the students came together to present their suggestions for change to the mayors. The students had clearly put some thought into the presentations, and it was interesting to hear the responses from the mayors. This was the first Employability Forum in the area, and it went well.

Apart from the forum, I spent the week working on the marine debris banners that we are going to be putting up on the ferry, and writing an article for the local newspaper, among other things. Thanks to Trish, I was also able to enjoy a proper “boiled dinner” over the weekend.

While we were lucky and had good weather for the forum, we had another small storm over the weekend. At one point the snow literally drifted so much in front of the door that I couldn’t get outside! We had to go out the back door and shovel ourselves out. I love the winter, but I am looking forward to spring. I spent some more time exploring the coastline this weekend. The picture included is from exploration of the coast-line at low-tide.