Youth graduate with success stories
By Contributor
It’s often difficult for young people to get a chance to explore job options and find the right career. It’s even harder for youth who may be at risk or have had difficulties in their early years. One program, offered by Community Futures Boundary, that gives these young people a giant step forward in their career path is the Boundary Youth Success Program (BYS). The most recent course concluded its program on Mar. 11. Over the last fourteen weeks, nine youth between the ages of 18 and 25 have been working on resume writing, interviewing techniques, career decision making, presentation skills and gaining useful certificates such as Standard First Aid, H2S Alive and more. Funded by Service Canada, the BYS program’s goal is to have participants gain employability and life skills that will enable them to enter or return to the workforce, or return to school. As a result of the huge success of this year’s program, Community Futures Boundary has established a fund to help participants cover the costs associated with registration fees, upgrading courses and the GED examination to further their education. One of the feature components of this program is a work experience placement during the last four weeks.During this time, each of the youth worked in a local business or organization.The goal is to provide the opportunity for each youth to gain real work experience in a field related to their professional interests and future career aspirations. Kootenay Car Care Inc, Pharmasave, New West Trading Co., Jerseyland Organics, Lorne’s Pitstop, Whispers of Hope, Boundary Family and Individual Services Society, and WD Sheet Metal Ltd. and Value Drug Mart all had program participants working for their business or organization during February and March. “These employers mentored and shared their own personal knowledge with the youth,” explained Karlyn Olsen, program co-ordinator. “Community Futures Boundary would like to commend these local businesses and organizations for their contribution. Without their support, this program would not have been as successful. We thank you warm heartedly for supporting both the programs that aim to strengthen our community, and the young people whom are the future of our community.”
Community Futures Boundary runs the Boundary Youth Success program regularly. For information on the next available program, or other employment services, contact their office in Grand Forks or Greenwood.
