Media release: Build the Dream Unconference Oct. 2 at Parkview Secondary
BUILDING THE DREAM: EDUCATION BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL
MOHAWK ORGANIZING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION OCT. 2
HAMILTON -- Inspiring young people to see college, university and skilled trades in their future will be the topic of a community conversation happening early next month in North Hamilton.
Organized by Mohawk College, the Build the Dream: Education Beyond High School Unconference takes place Saturday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Parkview Secondary School across from Ivor Wynne Stadium. The unconference is focused on finding ways to improve postsecondary participation rates among teenagers.
According to the Ontario government, seven out of every 10 new jobs created this decade will require some postsecondary education. At the same time, retirements by a record number of Baby Boomers are expected to create acute labour shortages. A highly skilled, highly trained workforce will be the region's most valuable resource and greatest competitive advantage, says Mohawk President Rob MacIsaac.
"The future prosperity of our communities is tied to young people seeing college, university and apprenticeships in their future," says MacIsaac. "As a community, we need to reach out and help teens who are struggling to see and believe in that future."
The Build the Dream Unconference will draw on the insights and ideas, solutions and personal experiences of more than 125 youth and families, teachers and coaches, mentors and community builders. The event is part of an access initiative launched earlier this year by Mohawk as a poverty to prosperity solution. Education, community and business partners from Hamilton, Brantford, and Halton are developing a game plan for enhancing prosperity, health and social wellbeing by improving postsecondary participation rates. Conversations at the Build the Dream Unconference will help guide the access project. "We've organized this event to listen to and learn from the people in our community who know how to connect with youth, inspire hope and build the dream of education beyond high school," says MacIsaac.
To find out more or to register for the free Build the Dream: Education Beyond High School Unconference, email to buildthedream@mohawkcollege.ca, go to buildthedream.mohawkcollege.ca or call 905.575.2491 and leave your name and a contact number.
BACKGROUND ON THE ACCESS INITIATIVE
Mohawk has brought education, community and industry partners together with the goal of enhancing prosperity, health and social wellbeing in our communities by increasing postsecondary participation rates. Partners working on the project from Hamilton, Brantford and Halton Region include:
Community Services Department, City of Hamilton
Grand Erie District School Board
Halton Catholic District School Board
Halton District School Board
Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board
Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
Project Video Productions (A Hamilton-based video production company that also works with at-risk youth to develop media projects)
SISO (Settlement and Integration Services Organization)
Social & Community Services, Region of Halton
Trivaris Ltd.
Wilfrid Laurier University (Brantford)