Elementary students get hands-on chance at future careers at Trades in Motion Day

Grade 6 students from Chateauguay, Ormston and Hemingford were trying out some jobs on Friday.

Grade 6 students from Chateauguay, Ormston and Hemmingford were trying out some jobs on Friday.

The New Frontiers School Board, south of Montreal, organized a hands-on “Trades in Motion” day at the Nova Career Centre.

Students tried eight vocations, such as carpentry, which had the Grade 6ers drilling and hammering.

Students like Pricilla Whyte learned on a simulator so they could safely try their hand at wielding big tools.

“It shows you what other people do,” said student Pricilla Whyte. “It gives you an idea of what you want to be when you grow up.”

Adam Mahmoudi liked the accounting, business and secretarial workshops.

“I learned that secretaries can also work in hospitals, schools and different business places,” he said.

Milena Bertucci tried landscaping, drafting and health-care services and decided on ”Hairdressing!"

“It’s the funnest, and also, when I was younger it’s one of the things I wanted to be,” she said. “I found it better than the others, but the others are fun too.”

Ten elementary schools took part in the event designed to help students know what careers lie ahead.

Teachers like Matthew Prévost at St. Willibrord Elementary School helped classes be ready to try on a trade.

“Coming here, I think a lot of them have been looking at becoming an electrician or a mechanic or even hairdressing or esthetics,” he said.

Eric Wilson teaches Automobile Mechanics at the Nova Career Centre.

He says car care is a good job and a life skill, like knowing how to change a tire.

“In the future, they’ll all own their own vehicles, so this is a way that they can actually do a little bit of work on their car,” he said.

New Frontier School Board’s Chuck Hallidsay hopes “Trades in Motion” will be an investment in the future.

“Those are the students who come through our sector, so let’s make sure they have opportunities to learn, stay and grow here,” he said. “It’s by having this experience to say this is maybe a place I can have my family and have a good job.”