A grant from Rio Tinto will be used to support and expand School District 91’s efforts to provide career-focused programs and events for its students.
Students here and elsewhere in the district already have access to programs to spark student interest in careers and now the $90,000 from Rio Tinto, to be spread out over the next three years, will help broaden that programming, says SD#91 Assistant Superintendent Manu Madhok.
School District 91 has an extensive history of offering a variety of career projects over the last 15-plus years,” he said.
That list includes hands-on exposure to heavy duty mechanics, health, forest management, agriculture, general trades, firefighting and local government and the latest to be added to the suite; the iCubed entrepreneurship conference held for the first time last fall, furthers the careers department efforts. “The focus of [the iCubed] conference was to expose students to entrepreneurship, technology and innovation. It was very well received by our schools and by the local community and we are currently preparing for the second iCubed conference for the fall of 2018,” said Madhok.
“B.C.’s new careers curriculum spans Kindergarten to Grade 12 and so our careers department attempts to create and support careers initiatives across all these grades,” says Madhok.
He said the district has been fortunate to have solid support from local businesses within the district to support its programs.
“We have partners in every one of our communities and continue to be very thankful for the opportunities that are created for our students,” Madhok continued.
Partnership support such as that provided by Rio Tinto is further leveraged by the district’s careers department, he said.
“Rio Tinto recognizes the importance of a future skilled workforce and the value of developing the young local talent in the Nechako Lakes,” said Gareth Manderson, General Manager Rio Tinto BC Works.
“The training and opportunities our partnership with School District 91 will offer over the next three years will be exciting for students, bring economic opportunities to the community of Vanderhoof and help to build a future workforce for employers such as Rio Tinto. We look forward to the benefits and achievements students will gain through our contribution and the unique career and training program offered by School District 91,” said Manderson.
Other funding initiatives
Rio Tinto has partnered with local schools and Breakfast Club of Canada. Since 2011 with committments for the next three years Rio Tinto will have contributed almost $1M and fed a nutritious breakfast to more than 6,600 students a year ensuring 1000/day receive breakfast before they begin their school day.
Rio Tinto also partnered with SD#91, BC Freshwater Fisheries and The Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Community Working group on a number of educational activities since the recovery initiative began including the Sturgeon curriculum, release events and the storm drain initiative.
Other multiple year partnerships in Vanderhoof include Carrier Sekani Family Services Youth Centre, $90K over three years; Best Mom’s and Dad’s Group $15K over three years, Sturgeon Hatchery $4.5M over 10 years; BC Freshwater Fisheries Intern and summer student program $200K over two years.