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Feature Article - November 27, 2008 |
Frontenac CFDC’s youth interns gain valuable work experienceBy Julie Druker
The Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC) in Harrowsmith held a meeting on November 19 for interns from their Youth Internship Program, which is subsidized by the FCFDC through the Eastern Ontario Development Program. The program provides subsidies to area businesses in both the private and not-for-profit sectors to enable them to hire post-secondary school graduates under the age of 30. The program allows the interns to develop skills in their fields and hopes to place them in full-time permanent positions in their places of internship. A total of nine interns have been placed by the program in the County of Frontenac this year in both sectors. Lily Roebuck, a graduate of sociology at Queen’s University, landed her internship this past June with the County of Frontenac located in Glenburnie and has been working with the Frontenac Trails Committee on drafting a master plan for the proposed development of the KP Trail in parts of Frontenac County. She recently composed a survey that has been submitted to all landowners along the railway and has made public presentations to landowners and associations concerned about the trail development. “I’m working right now on developing a communications strategy for the committee to deal with the main concerns identified by the surveys.” She adds, “ I’m learning a lot about Frontenac County and how it's structured, and about single and multi-tiered municipalities. I’ve organized three information sessions and created information booklets. I’ve organized with stakeholders and met with other trail groups and attended lots regional trail meetings along with the MNR". While gaining new skills she added, "I have research methodology in my background which has helped me a lot with the work that I am doing. But the program has opened up a lot of opportunities for me as far as developing contacts with so many different agencies. The knowledge that I’ve gained has been very broad.” Kristin Bissonette also landed her internship in June at the Frontenac CFDC in Harrowsmith and has a background in marketing. This is her first work experience directly related to her field. She explained,” It’s hard to find a position in marketing without any practical work experience so this has been perfect.” She added, “It’s been really good because I’ve had a lot of practical marketing experience. I created the FCFDC newsletter in Microsoft Publisher, which I had never used before, I’ve put together media releases, all kinds of ads, invitations; I’ve done lot of print media and led a workshop in e-marketing as well.” The youth internship program is gaining momentum and the FCFDC encourages private and not-for-profit businesses in the County of Frontenac to consider it as an option. Matt Lemke landed a full-time job with Frontenac Outfitters at the end of his internship. So the program is obviously succeeding in its aim of creating long-term work opportunities for youth who are new in their fields. For information regarding the Youth Internship Program visit www.frontenaccfdc.com or call 613-372-1414
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