The Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation is pleased to announce that the Employment Readiness in Construction Trades project has been awarded the 2006 Youth Initiative Award by from the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporation (OACFDC).

Employment Readiness in Construction Trades was a new initiative undertaken by the Frontenac CFDC and St. Lawrence College in partnership with Northern Connections, the Sharbot Lake High School , and Frontenac Telephone Company. Training Consultant, Bob McCallum from St. Lawrence created an 8-week training course to introduce participants to the construction trades and to prepare them for entry-level positions in the field. Its main focus featured hands-on carpentry experiences, but it also covered trade theory and safety as well as résumé writing and other related training in employment-readiness skills.

The course was designed so its graduates would qualify to start the challenging three-year provincial apprenticeship training program that leads to the qualification of Certified General Carpenter or other apprenticable trades. And it succeeded. A local construction company accepted and employed two of the graduates as carpenter apprentices. Five others found employment in the construction field and another two graduates found new directions and went back to school.

St. Lawrence College received a cheque for $350. Wanda Williams, Director of Student Services, Continuing Education & Contract Training from St. Lawrence College, announced that these funds would be used for a new continuing education bursary, available to a part-time student working toward a certificate or diploma. Applicants must be residents of Frontenac County , including the Townships of Frontenac Islands, South Frontenac, Central Frontenac and North Frontenac.  Applicants must demonstrate financial need.