(Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Nicole Reis

MLTC Career Expo Tour

Makwa Sahgaiehcan Students offered a bright future ahead

Feb 6, 2020 | 12:02 PM

Mechanical engineer, veterinarian, nurse, security guard…those career goals came from students after they were exposed to a range of choice at the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) Career Tour.

Nearly a dozen employers, recruiters and schools gathered at Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation School Gym to show students what possibilities lay ahead after highschool graduation.

Conrad Sand, Grade 8 substitute teacher told meadowlakeNOW, he would have took advantage of a career tour when he was a student.

“For them to bring their careers here, is a demonstration that they care about these kids and I think the youth realize that. You can see all the happy faces right now. The kids are really enthusiastic,” he said.

Sand said students showed a keen interest in what schools at the expo had to offer.

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“My first impression was First Nations are always geared toward trades,” he said. “They need more careers like nurses, doctors or lawyers, something that involves a career where they can expand their horizons and become role models for other First Nations.”

(Nicole Reis/ meadowlakeNOW Staff)

The University of Lethbridge and Northwest College both held booths with steady crowds of curious students asking about programs in law enforcement and liberal arts.

Deserae Yellow Horn, Indigenous student recruitment officer with the University of Lethbridge said the students at Makwa Sahgaiehcan School have particularly shown an overwhelming interest in what programs are actually available to them.

“Students have to know what their options are and know that they’re able to actually expand their education and take it off reserve. They can even go off reserve and come back and improve the lives of people that live here and for future generations,” she said.

Paul Blankstijn, youth apprenticeship manager with Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission said in 2028, approximately 20 per cent of the active journeypersons working in the province will retire, leaving an economic need for experienced and well-trained tradespeople.

“When employers are losing well-experienced individuals to retirement, we want our young people to build our workforce bigger, better, stronger,” he said. “That way those companies can continue on.”

Each institution encouraged students to graduate with a plan and offered avenues for social, travel and financial support.

“A big part of why we’re here is to help students with the next step. We’re here to offer guidance as to what is it they can do and what trade is best for them, but that’s something they have to answer,” Blankstijn said.

Students’ optimism was clear.

“This [event] makes me feel like I can do more with myself and I have a choice. It’s hard to choose,” one Grade 10 student said.

The career fair included an opportunity for adults to consider either going back to school or changing career paths.

“It’s never too late to start and you’re never too old to go back to school. Teach your kids it’s never too late to do anything,” Beverly Fineblanket said.

The next stop for the MLTC career tour is Ministikwan Cree Nation on Feb 6 at the school gymnasium. High school students are invited to join at 1 p.m., adults can join at 3:30 p.m.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722