Youth work closely with Manitoba CEOs

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This article was published 17/07/2017 (3303 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Indigenous and new Canadian youth will have the chance of their lives working with CEOs from some of the largest companies in the province.

On July 11, the Business Council of Manitoba launched a pilot program called Youth CEO – Creative Employment Opportunities in partnership with the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre and the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development.

Eighteen high school graduates, who have been youth leaders with WASAC, were selected and assigned to work one of the 13 Manitoba companies where they’ll receive training and work experience throughout the summer.

Former NDP MLA and BCM’s vice-president Kevin Chief was one of the people behind the project and said they wanted to find a way to expose youth from several backgrounds to the jobs that are available to them, and that the partnership with WASAC and CAHRD was a natural fit.

“The young people get to get exposed to these companies, but they get one-on-one time with CEOs,” he said, adding these youths will come back to WASAC to share their experiences and to become role models in the North End.

“We want to make sure that these young people get a tap on the shoulder to say ‘Any job that you aspire to get through hard work and dedication there will be opportunities for you to get that job, there will be opportunities for you to access post-secondary.

“We’re not telling these young people that they can get jobs in these companies, we are actually showing them.”

St. John’s High School graduate Kelsey Lands, 22, will be interning with Payworks Payroll Services’ CEO Barb Gamey this summer and said this opportunity would help her build a career and give her 17-month-old daughter a better life. She added she wants to be an ultrasound technician in the future.

“I’m very excited to learn new things,” Lands said. “The goal is to have more opportunities for the youth, not only in the North End but the whole city because it keeps them out of trouble. A lot of kids who wouldn’t have this opportunity would be out on the street who knows doing what, and at least if they have these opportunities they are thriving toward their goals.”

Conviron’s CEO Steven Kroft hopes this new project encourages young people to stay and work in Manitoba, he said at the launch event at the Old Exhibition Arena. He added Youth CEO is about BCM companies opening their doors to new and creative ideas youth brings with them.

“We need your creativity, your spirit and your passion…We recognize that nobody goes into a business with all the skills needed,” he said. “Confidence and experience are developed over time, and the CEOs who are here and hundreds of other CEOs across the province are prepared to make an investment in you. Do not be intimidated, do not be discouraged. Be excited, eager to participate and ready to learn.”