Pathway Night introduced grade eights to high school, EDHS students to potential careers

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative

The goal of the Pathways Night hosted at Essex District High School (EDHS) last Thursday evening was twofold.

  Firstly, the event welcomed the grade eight students from the local feeder schools to help them explore what would be available to them if they were to attend the local high school in the fall. It also helped existing high schoolers to sort out the pathway to their future career, Andrea Nikita explained. She is EDHS’s Librarian, and was one of the many staff members who helped coordinate the event.

  She guessed up to 200 individuals took part in the Pathways Night, and hoped each walked away with a little more knowledge – and a lot of enthusiasm – for the next step in their lives; whatever that should be for each.

  The grade eight students were able to tour the high school at their own pace, with the ability to stop at various displays set-up throughout the school representing each of the subjects that are available for credit. To make things fun, prizes were available to be won.

  Information was also provided as to what courses they will need to take to graduate, what elective courses are available, and all requirements to earn that diploma, including on the community service hours required.

  Other benefits to future Red Raiders who attended the Pathways Night is that they were able to see the school layout and learn where classrooms are, meet teachers and ask them any questions they had, and connect with current students who were happy to share helpful information.

  There were also student reps from each club and team. Being able to connect with them will allow the future EDHS students the opportunity, when they start high school in the fall, to approach them with any questions they may have once they officially start their high school journey.    

  Being able to take part in the open house “gives you a real feel of ‘is this the school for you,’” Nikita said. “We try to give you a sense of what it is like to be here, make those connections, fill out the registration forms if you’re from one of our non-feeder schools.”

  EDHS reps will go to feeder schools – Essex Public School, Gosfield North, and Colchester North, to help those students apply.

  For the existing high school students, around 30 community partners from a variety of different sectors – from business, college, university, and industry – set-up booths in the cafeteria. That allowed the students to connect with their reps, learn more about the field, and what opportunities are available to them in high school to prepare.

  “It has been very, very busy,” she commented, greeting those coming into the library to learn about its resources.

  “We definitely want to encourage the co-op programs, SHSM [Specialist High Skills Major] which is part of co-op, where they can get all kinds of qualifications and hopefully find the area that interests them for their future goals,” Nikita added.

  Within EDHS’s student body, Nikita believes interests are fairly evenly split between academics and the trades.

One of the many booths onsite was for Women’s Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) of Windsor Inc., which is an upper-level of government-funded program providing skilled trades training for women. It offers three training programs – CNC Industrial Mechanic Millwright Pre-Apprenticeship, Electrical Pre- Apprenticeship, and for HVAC – and a fourth program that provides support after students complete the training.

  The program curriculums are delivered by St. Clair College.

  WEST recruits 20 women per year, Sergio Hernandez, Training and Development Liaison Officer, said. If they qualify, all tuition is paid for, so is the PPE, he added. Students are also assisted with job placement.

  He said WEST has been involved with skilled trades for around 15-years, and the success rate of women staying in the skilled trades is around 73%.

  WEST has reps attend events, such as EDHS’s Pathway Night, to promote the program and let young women know this could be an option for them. They also try to show the value of being in skilled trades.

  In many of the skilled trade sectors, many are looking to retire, Hernandez said. There are not enough people to replace them. 

Tajana Ristic, Intake Worker for WEST, said often women don’t think skilled trades are for them, but when they meet another woman who has gone through the program, they start visualizing themselves in the skilled trades.

  This is a program that can catapult them into incredible earning power and hire-ability, she added.

  Ristic went through the WEST program herself in the CNC Industrial Mechanic Millwright Apprenticeship program. She had earned a Bachelor's Degree previously and couldn’t find work in that field. When she became aware of the WEST program “it was kismet, because it was all paid for. I was at a crossroads in my life. Going through this program really helped kind of catapult me into a place where I felt effective, I felt seen; that I could use these new skills I learned and make a life for myself.”  

  When she started, she had no idea what a millwright was.

  “Once I got into the program, I can’t remember if I actually knew what I was getting myself into, but the rewards were so immense. I would recommend it to anyone.”

  She encouraged women interested to email her at tajana@westofwindsor.com to learn more.

  More programs may be available in the future, Ristic noted.