Focus on the Future

Youth forums for Grade 9 students that focus on a broad range of career planning issues, from health and personal development, to local labour market opportunities, are set to begin this weekend in the Cormack Grenfell-Region of the Strategic Social Plan.

About 200 young people will have the chance to take part in one of four forums going ahead in Port aux Basques, St. Anthony, Rocky Harbour and Deer Lake.

Sponsored by the Cormack-Grenfell Regional Steering Committee of the Strategic Social Plan in partnership with the Humber Economic Development Board, the Forming a Vision for Your Future forums will help Grade 9 students explore career planning. They'll meet career development and labour market specialists, school officials such as guidance counselors, health care providers and others who work in the field of youth services. 

"We know that it's important to reach out to students before they begin high school, " says June Alteen, chair of the Cormack-Grenfell Regional Steering Committee. "What's innovative about these forums is the focus on junior high school students, and the use of a planning tool called a portfolio that helps young people look at skills, interests, hobbies and volunteer activities and compile them in an organized way." 

The committee's focus on career planning and human resource development is an integral part of People Partners and Prosperity - the Cormack Grenfell-Regional Plan that was released in late August. The steering committee is a partnership of regional boards of health, education and economic development, as well as federal, provincial and municipal governments, and other agency partners.

"We're now developing a human resource strategy for the Cormack-Grenfell region, and these kinds of events for youth will be an important way to reach our young people, and also to gather information about their issues and interests," said Ms. Alteen. "We need to do a better job at providing services to them if we want them to succeed, and to succeed in this province."

The Cormack-Grenfell region is one of six regions involved in implementing the province's Strategic Social Plan. The SSP seeks to build healthier, more prosperous communities by strengthening the link between economic and social development, and by improving services to people at the local level. 

"The SSP focuses on making things better for people at all ages and stages of their development," says Gerald Smith, Minister of Human Resources and Employment and lead minister on the Strategic Social Plan. "We need our young people to be well-educated for the future so that we can build our strong communities together."

The youth forums will be held in Port aux Basques on November 3; St. Anthony, November 8; Rocky Harbour, November 17, and Deer Lake, November 24. 

Media contact: Marcia Porter, SSP Communications, (709) 729-0175.

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