Innovation in Youth Engagement - CAF-FCA · • We were travelling to Career Fairs across Nova...

Innovation in Youth Engagement

Management and Labour working together to develop industry led human resource

solutions that support industry growth and viable/sustainable employment for skilled trades.


2018 National Apprenticeship Conference


Who We Are

• The Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council – Industrial-Commercial-Institutional (NSCSC-ICI) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2000 (formerly a Regional Industry Training Council – RITC 1991-2000). Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

• NSCSC’s Board of Directors oversees and directs the Council’s activities and is made up of both management and labour representatives from across the province.

• NSCSC management and labour organizations work closely with partner and stakeholder associations and organizations to find solutions to issues in the ICI construction industry.


Vision

• Labour and management working together to support the development, responsiveness, and sustainability of the ICI construction sector in Nova Scotia.

Mission

• To change how we see construction in Nova Scotia.

Member Organizations


What We Do

• Research & Development Projects

• Liaise with Industry & Government

• Industry Initiatives

• Industry Services

• Training

• Youth Engagement / Career Awareness / Industry Showcases


Career Awareness

• Industry showcases

• Career fairs

• Community groups / centres

• Conferences

• Youth at risk

• Junior high schools

• High schools

• Adult learners

• Job seekers / transitioners


• We were travelling to Career Fairs across Nova Scotia. We realized we needed a better and more engaging way to get youth interested in construction

• Office relocation in 2012

• Empty warehouse combined with a big idea, and support from industry and government

• Construction commenced fall of 2012

2012 – 2014 Origin Story


Construction


• Provide hands-on experiential learning opportunities for occupations in construction

• Present a gallery of construction related materials, tools, images, etc.

• Promote career opportunities in the ICI construction sector

• Clarify ‘paths’ for pursuing careers in the sector – Link to LMI (Career Path Brochures)

• Combine efforts to promote training programs specific to ICI construction sector (public and private)

• Build industry and stakeholder partnerships

• Accommodate 1 visit per month

Original Goals / Concept


TRADES EXHIBITION HALLOne-of-a-kind career awareness facility, built in partnership with unionized contractors, construction trade unions, industry training providers, and the

Nova Scotia Government


• April 2014

Grand Opening


“Booths”

Management Pipe Trades Finishing Trades

Carpenter and Millwright Bricklayer Operating Engineers


“Booths”

Electrician Insulator Ironworker

Non-Destructive Testing Boilermaker Labourer

Sheet Metal Worker


Video


Features of a Visit

• Safety Orientation

• Personal Protective Equipment (hard hats, safety glasses, toe protection)

• Experienced industry professionals

• Approx. 2 - 6 hours of interactive learning


Visitors

• Students - Grades 7 – 12

• Special interest groups (Aboriginal Youth Skilled Trades Fair, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, Women Unlimited, YMCA/Nova Scotia Works Clients, etc.)

• Over 5,500 visitors to-date

• 2-3 visits per week

• 62 schools, from all school regions across the province

• 1-2 Open Houses per year


Feedback


Media

• CBC

• Maclean’s Magazine

• Atlantic Business Journal

• Halifax Chamber of Commerce

• Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association (CASA)

• National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO)

• Global

• CTV


• The right fit – where it lives, who will run it, fund it, etc.

• Industry buy-in – multiple trades, employers, training providers, booth operators, etc.

• Government buy-in (departments and agencies representing education, apprenticeship, etc.)

• Find champions to get involved (teachers, employers, labour leaders, apprenticeship body / agency)

• Size of facility – scale to accommodate

• Funding and cost (to build and operate) – sponsorships, donations, branding, etc.

• Be prepared for the unexpected

• No one size fits all and it will be hard (if not impossible) to keep everyone happy

Lessons Learned


• Plan ahead: Schedule visits ahead of time. Communicate to teachers/stakeholders that it’s better to book their visit early. This will help ensure all visit requests are met, as well as work out any scheduling issues. On average, we book our visits 2-3 months ahead of time.

• Expect the unexpected: Remember – the day will rarely go as planned! Schools/groups may be late arriving, have to leave early, trades professionals may not show up, etc. It is important to be able to improvise and have a “plan B” in case things don’t go according to plan.

• High interaction = high engagement: Through written and verbal feedback, we have learned hands-on activities/interactive booths are the highlight of our visitors’ day. The students are the most engaged when they are able to use their hands and try things out, instead of just talking. Make everything as hands on as possible.

Advice to Operate


• Have snacks on hand in case a student experiences low blood sugar, or forgets to bring a lunch (Granola bars, bananas, etc.).

• Take photos!: Take as many photos as possible - from the construction process to the operations. These photos will help show the value of the facility, and are great for promotional purposes.

• Resourcing: Hire somebody to be responsible for the Hall - coordinating visits with teachers and trades professionals to ensure the day runs smoothly.

• Adapt quickly, learn and grow: safety/first aid, different cultures, terminology, instructor-student interaction - adjust to audience, accommodate where you can, but don’t sacrifice the core needs of the sector to facilitate visitors (keep it real) and constantly check-in with industry stakeholders.

Advice to Operate


2018 – 2019 Mobile Trades Hall !!!

(Pilot)


www.nscsc.ca

Follow Us on : @NSCSC_ICI

Like Us on : Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council

Innovation in Youth Engagement - CAF-FCA · • We were travelling to Career Fairs across Nova...

Documents

Transcript of Innovation in Youth Engagement - CAF-FCA · • We were travelling to Career Fairs across Nova...