Job fair aims to introduce teens to careers in natural resources

Peggy Revell

More than 60 youths from across the district were given a glimpse into the lives of conservation officers, biologists, trappers, and many others while attending the “Careers in Natural Resources” event held last Wednesday at the Couchiching multi-use facility.
“‘Careers in Natural Resources’ is meant to enhance students’ awareness of the various careers that are available to them in the natural resources sector,” explained Michelle Nowak, regional communication and marketing specialist with the Ministry of Natural Resources, which organized the event that’s now in its third year.
With the specific goal of enhancing the understanding First Nations’ youth have of career options with the MNR and in these fields, Nowak noted students in Grades 9-12 from across the district were invited to the day.
“I think it’s important because I think any opportunity that the youth have to really, first of all, speak to people who are working in different areas—speak to a trapper, speak to a biologist, speak to a naturalist—that’s always valuable,” Nowak said.
More than 30 people from across the northwest with careers in the natural resources field who on hand to field questions and speak with the students.
Also in attendance were staff from Lakehead University and Confederation College, Nowak added, as well as ministry reps who provided students with information about the youth employment programs offered through the MNR­, such as the First Nations Natural Resources Youth Employment Program, Ontario Rangers, and Ontario Stewardship Rangers.
“So we’re getting the students interested in various careers, but we’re also giving them the tools that they need to find out about employment opportunities and academic preparation to enter one of these fields,” Nowak explained.
For example, the conservation officers brought in the canine unit and gave a demonstration on how they train the dogs. Meanwhile, a wildlife assessment biologist with the MNR had students guessing songbird calls.
“So in addition to actually hearing from people firsthand, they also get to get a real tangible sense of the kinds of things these people spend their working day doing,” Nowak remarked.
“It’s one thing to give people information, it’s another to actually show them what it looks like, what it feels like,” she stressed.
“And everyone’s having a great time, too.”
“This is important to let people understand the importance of the mineral industry and what it means to their futures,” echoed Barbara Green Parker, Aboriginal Education Specialist with the “Mining Matters” program run through the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.
Their booth was set up with interactive information and activities showing how the mining industry impacts everyday life.
“By helping young people understand the importance of it in our everyday life, and how we use it, will help them understand also that there has to be a supply of skilled labour in order to do that,” Green Parker noted.
“So, hopefully, they’ll be thinking that of all the wealth of a 120 careers within the industry, that the mining industry could be a place for their future.”
“This is good, positive exposure for the local trappers’ council, for sure,” Frank King, representing the Rainy River District Trappers Council, said about the benefits of these type of career fairs.
“It’s really been our avenue as of late because if you go to a local trappers’ meeting, there’s a lot of gray hair and we have to stimulate the interest of young people or, of course, it’s going to be a dying industry,” he stressed.
He added the local council has been to “hundreds” of these type of fairs and does numerous presentations at schools.
The response from the students has been “excellent,” King noted, with the youths asking positive and good questions as they stopped by the booth shared between the Dryden Trappers Council and Rainy River District Trappers Council.
There, students had the chance to see the wide variety of furs, as well as speak to some local business people who have found careers thanks to the spin-off of trapping, such as clothesmaking and supplies.
“I think today it’s mostly about the students,” said King, adding words of encouragement for youths to think now about what they will need to do for the future career they want.
“It’s important that [students] steer [themselves] and have [themselves] steered somehow,” he advised.
“Because I know of things that I missed in high school by taking the easy way, the simplest subjects, when I should have been—because of my interests—keying in on biology and other sciences that I didn’t like,” he explained.
Students also should touch base with their high school guidance counsellor, said Nowak, since these teachers will have the information needed when it comes to applying for the youth employment jobs with the MNR, as well as provide information about other summer and academic programs that are available.
“I think that’s important for students to know, that we really want them to consider us as an employer,” she stressed, noting the deadline to apply for this year is coming up this month.
Students can visit the MNR’s youth employment website—http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Youth/index.html—for application forms.
“There are eight programs right now through youth employment,” said Nowak. “One program might not be the best fit for a student, but another program might be a perfect fit.”