Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board trustees received updates this week on two initiatives designed to help students build skills, confidence, and career pathways.
During the board’s regular meeting, trustees heard plans for this year’s Focus on Youth summer employment program, which will support 90 students from secondary schools across Clarington, Peterborough, and Northumberland.
Funded by the Ministry of Education, the program helps students who may face barriers to employment gain workplace experience and prepare for future success. Participants receive training in areas such as CPR, effective communication, and workplace professionalism before being placed with local employers where they earn co-operative education credits.
Board Chairperson Paul Brown said the program continues to make a meaningful difference for students by helping build confidence and employment skills while supporting a successful transition into adulthood.
Trustees also received a report on the Indigenous Skilled Trades Fair held May 22 at the Hiawatha First Nation Gathering Place.
The event, organized through a partnership involving Hiawatha First Nation, Ontario Power Generation, Kagita Mikam, and KPR’s Indigenous Education and Pathways teams, provided Indigenous students in Grades 9 through 12 with opportunities to explore careers in the skilled trades.
Students met directly with employers and industry professionals while participating in hands on learning experiences connected to the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
Chief Executive Officer Rita Russo described the event as a strong example of collaboration, experiential learning, and relationship building.
The board also approved several new student awards, including scholarships and memorial awards benefiting graduating students at Cobourg Collegiate Institute, Campbellford District High School, Port Hope High School, and other schools across the district.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
