Port au Port Skills Link Closing
All good things must come to an end
The partnership between the Community Education Network and Service Canada has witnessed the successful completion of yet another Skills Link program on the Port au Port Peninsula. Ten young people from that area have completed the required 36 weeks of job related skills training. A celebration ceremony was held on Friday, February 4, 2011. Certificates were presented by the coordinator, Corinne Tulk and CEN Executive Director, Sharon Park. Ms. Park spoke to the participants and audience about the purpose and success of programs such as Skills Link.
Ms. Park said “the primary goal of ‘Engaging Today Building for Tomorrow’ Skills Link Program was to increase employability of the participants through personal development workshops, life skills training, job shadowing, community service, exploration of career and employment options and the development of individual career action plans.” She went on to say that it is through the “collaboration with various community partners that this program’s activities was sponsored and directed.”
Natasha Young, a participant from Ship Cove, addressed the ten youth in the Stephenville program and advised them to “not take this opportunity for granted, this is a once in a lifetime chance to work on you.” Jeremy Jesso, Three Rock Cove, spoke about how he now understands the importance of a high school diploma and of his plans to go back to school to complete his Grade 12. All ten participants said they would recommend this program to anyone aged 15-30 who are faced with the challenges of finding employment.
With this being her first time as coordinator for the Skills Link program, Ms. Tulk, a resident of Stephenville, says that this experience has given her an inside perspective of the challenges that youth on the peninsula face each day. “Just the travel alone is a challenge. Each week I would have this great idea for a training experience, however, trying to get these ten to town was no easy feat.” Resources are limited on the peninsula with many of the youth living in various communities. This particular program was centralized with operation out of the Port au Port Economic Development Association building and participants travelled to work from Mainland, Three Rock Cove, Black Duck Brook, Ship Cove and Campbell’s Creek.
During the nine months training the participants completed several community service activities including a fundraiser for the Bay St. George Status of Women. Waylon Felix, team leader made the $150 presentation to Melissa Martin, Program Coordinator for the BSG Status of Women. The team raised the money by paying $1.00 each week to wear their pj’s to work.
Port au Port Skills Link Closing Poem
2010-2011
Hello everybody, my name is Corinne
I’m the Skills Link Coordinator of the Port au Port team.
36 weeks with days I’d thought never end
Proved the old adage true, time do fly, my friend
Ten young people walked into my life last spring
At the dawn of each new day I’d wonder what it would bring.
In Piccadilly we stocked wood, in Ship Cove built a fence
Played in the rain while in Lourdes digging a trench.
Family Fun Fairs we planned plenty with fun, games and dance
No time to stop learning, I didn’t give them the chance.
There was First Aid and WHMIS, nutrition guidance galore
Leadership and team building and oh, so much more.
They accepted all the learning without too much strife
They knew it would help enhance every aspect of life
Reports and budgets, resumes and cover letters
With each passing day their communications got better
Now their slang, believe me, they still have plenty, so don’t be misled
With a dirty bad this and a dirty bad that, I can barely figure out what’s even being said.
Work placements and training, experience they’ve gained
The opportunity of a lifetime, their lives never to be the same.
So my dear little darlings, today’s the day to show the world your very best
Because as promised, this Momma Bird is kicking you out of the nest.
Corinne Tulk
February 3, 2011
