As a not-for-profit organization, Skills Canada – Ontario relies heavily on the assistance of many volunteers in order to successfully administer our programs to over 100,000 students every year.
SCO is extremely fortunate to have a dedicated base of more than 1000 volunteers, who participate in a variety of ways. These volunteers act as mentors in our young women’s programs and various judges in our competitions. They assist with set-up and tear-down of the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, and lend a hand with anything that needs to be done. Many of them return year after year and have long since been adopted into the SCO family. A few such individuals are profiled below.
Shane Kennedy, Lead Corporate Trainer for Boston Pizza – Shane had such a great experience as a competitor at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition that he continued his involvement with the OTSC as a Marshal. Shane has returned every year since 2002 to fill this role. Marshals are responsible for one of the seven contest areas at the OTSC, facilitating set-up, tear-down and flow of the competition. It’s a tough job that can involve everything from directing visitors and volunteers, grabbing spare tables and chairs for individual contests, and hauling materials and supplies around. Definitely not glamourous. Shane, however, loves it. “Giving back to the community is important. It’s part of who we are as Canadians, as human beings. And Skills is a fantastic organization because you’re supporting the education and growth of students.”
Kitty Runstedler, Co-op and Career Services at Conestoga College – When the job interview component was first introduced at the OTSC (each secondary and post-secondary competitor completes a 5-minute job interview as part of his or her contest), Kitty was one of the volunteers recruited to conduct job interviews. “Conestoga College has always been heavily involved with the OTSC, and I wanted to support that involvement. My husband is a skilled tradesperson, and plenty of Conestoga students compete as well.” Gradually, Kitty’s role changed from interviewer to coordinator of the job interview component, and she continues to serve on the committee, assisting with recruiting volunteers, organizing the flow of interviews on-site and providing support and help to volunteers in attendance. She returns year after year because she loves working with the staff at SCO, and believes that it’s important to support youth.
Martin Restoule, Coordinator, Transportation Apprenticeship Trades, Algonquin College
After 10 years as Chair of the Automotive Service Technician contest, Martin is just as excited as ever to be involved with the Ontario Technological Skills Competition again this year. “I really enjoy helping the students and seeing them succeed. My hope is that the competition will teach them to work hard in their careers and learn new skills. I learn something new every year being involved in the contest.” As the Chair, Martin is responsible for designing the project annually, coordinating the technical committee, sourcing equipment, and recruiting judges. “I like volunteering with Skills Canada – Ontario and would recommend this to my colleagues in education and industry because I feel it helps the industry grow by promoting the profession, demonstrating the quality of the work being done and encouraging youth to pursue a skilled trade career.” He is very thankful that his employer for the last 22 years, Algonquin College, is very supportive of his involvement at the OTSC, as well as the National Skills Competition. “Volunteering with Skills Canada – Ontario is addictive. You do it once and want to continue to make it better year after year.”
As profusely as we thank them, we never feel it’s enough for the help and dedication we get from individuals like Martin, Kitty or Shane. In honour of National Volunteer Week 2011, we want to offer our most sincere thanks to all our volunteers – past, present and future. You will always have a home with Skills Canada – Ontario!
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