Students struggling to find placements can connect with businesses July 23

FERGUS – Some students of colour in Fergus are struggling to find co-op placements and volunteer opportunities. 

Social worker and Centre Wellington councillor candidate Elnor Walsh spends time with students at Centre Wellington District High School and said she’s constantly disheartened to hear about the challenges students of colour face.

Each time Walsh hears about another racist incident, it reminds her why she continues to work to support them. 

And when she heard about students of colour struggling to secure positions for high school volunteer hours and co-op placements, Walsh knew she needed to help. 

It’s a personal issue, as Walsh knows how it feels to face barriers because of racism, including personally struggling to find a volunteer placement during high school. 

“I understand the challenges that come from that, because you are looking to the future and wondering, ‘if I don’t get my hours, then how do I graduate? How do I get to my end goal of university or college?’” 

Ontario students are required to complete at least 40 volunteer hours in order to graduate high school. 

Walsh said “I understand that if that barrier persists ... it literally halts your life’s dreams.”  

Walsh has partnered with the Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario Wellington-Guelph (formerly the Grove Hubs) to offer a networking event, called the Summer Jam Job Jump, to help students connect with employers. 

Walsh plans for the Summer Jam Job Jump to become an annual event. 

Everyone is welcome to attend, including any students looking for co-op placements or volunteer hours, businesses offering opportunities and community members who want to learn more.

Though it’s struggles faced by students of colour that inspired the event, Walsh said it’s open to all students looking for co-op placements or volunteer hours, as students of colour aren’t the only ones facing barriers. 

There is a potential for students to find other work opportunities at the event as well.  

Grove youth outreach worker Kayleigh Hilborn said when Elnor approached the Hub with her idea, “it seemed like a really great fit to help support youth looking for ways to build community serve hours, get involved with their community and get co-op placements.” 

Hilborn said youth can be connected to employment support services through the Hubs, including for help with resumés, cover letters and job applications. 

She said the event will help bridge gaps and support students in navigating the barriers they face. 

Walsh said “the sky is the limit” for the types of employers that could attend, as she hopes the students will have a broad range of options to select something that suits their skills and interests, including tech, health care, government, law and skilled trades, to name a few.

“I don’t want them to feel pushed into certain fields,” she said, such as limiting them to general labour. 

She wants the students to know they can do whatever they set their minds to, and to see themselves in professional environments such as law offices. 

The Summer Jam Job Jump will run from 4 to 7pm on July 23 and there will be food and drinks, including pizza, and tours of the Fergus Grove Hub at 900 Tower St. S. 

Employers have until July 20 to sign up to table at the event, and can contact Walsh at elnor@elnorwalsh.com.