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"A Family Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Wednesday, May 25,1994 - 3 Pilot project prepares PPHS students to enter workforce Students at Port Perry High School will be better prepared to enter the working world thanks to a pilot project held last week. Approximately145 students attended Employability Skills '94, a mini-conference designed for senior students who attend PPHS. The one-day conference, which featured a number of key- note speakers and workshops, was aimed at providing the stu- dents with a better understand- ing of the skills and training needed to compete in today's job market. Educators and members of the business community worked together in preparing the workshops which ranged from the skills needed in a par- ticular market to entrepreneu- rial skills and teamwork in the workplace. The mini-conference served as a pilot project, as a result of a ES directive from the Durham Board of Education and the Conference Board of Canada. The conference board devel- oped an employability skills profile which outlines its per- ception of the skills required for success in the workplace, and PPHS was chosen as the pilot school to further integrate some of the basic suggestions into its programs. Lucy Black, co-ordinator of the program, said the day was created to "enforce concrete skill." "We wanted employers to val- idate what the conference board had prepared," she said, adding that the goal was also to provide current information on employ- ability. And students came away with a good feeling from the con- ference. Although for 16-year-old Employability Skills '94, sponsored by Port Perry High School, was held at Port Perry United Church on May 17. Area employers spoke on skills needed to gain employment. PPHS students Keith White and Mandy Bright were among the 145 students who attended. See story. We can help you with any custom drapery order. Talk to one of our friendly sales people and see what we can do for you! Installation service available on rods and blinds - Ours or Yours! 3 . Lore . FI AMA Se Jen ?2 71133 [Located in the rear of Lukes Country Store. Keith White the day was not quite what he was expecting, he did come away a little more knowledgeable of what was re- quired. "It gave me an insight into what I want to do," he said. Keith, a Grade 11 student, has designs on either becoming a mechanic or a chef and was seeking personal experiences and information on the skills and education needed to secure ajobin the field. In this respect, he feels it fell a little short. Mandy Bright, an 18-year-old Grade 12 student, found the day worthwhile. "I thought they gave you a lot of what background was re- quired," which was exactly what she was looking for, she said. With her sites set on a career in cosmetology, Miss Bright said it was important to go into the conference with a specific fo- cus in mind. "I think you had to go into one (a workshop) that you were in- terested in. If you just went into one for the fun of it, you wouldn't get anything out of it. As a result, she feels she achieved a lot by attending the conference. "It gave me a good outlook," shesaid. "I thinkit's helpful." Despite the varying degrees of response to the day, all stu- dents agreed that the confer- ence should be continued in the future. As it was a pilot project, Mrs. Black is uncertain of the future of the mini-conference, but is sure it will be offered in one form or another in the years ahead. She will be making a presentation to the Board of Ed- ucation in the fall. Liberal meeting The monthly meeting of the Durham Federal Liberal Asso- ciation will be held on May 30 at the Community Memorial Hos- pital Library, Port Perry, at 7:30 p.m. All members wel- come. VERTICALS, VENETIANS & IN-STOCK ROLLER BLINDS 0% [| MAKE IT LIKE NEW e HOT-PATCH & SEAL e CRACKS FILLED e POWER CLEANED PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT KEEP YOUR DRIVEWAY IN GOOD REPAIR McGUINNESS COATINGS 985-9806 OR 985-2814 M & D Meats 30 Water St., Port Perry 985-4316