March 15, 2008
Students discover options at Congress
By James A. Quelch
Cobourg District Collegiate Institute East
On Thurs., Jan. 10, hundreds of Ontario high school horticulture and landscaping students visited Congress in the name of education. The purpose of the field trip was to expose students to the astounding number of employment opportunities in the green industries. There is no in-school careers assignment that can surpass exposing students to exhibitors from the grounds maintenance, landscape designers, irrigation, garden centre, contractors, lawn care, interior and snow and ice management sectors all at once. The Horticulture Ontario Secondary Teachers Association (HOSTA) would like to thank the exhibitors from Congress 2008 for sharing their literature and for having meaningful conversations with high school students interested in a career in horticulture.
Providing high school students with the rare opportunity of experiencing Congress free is just one example of how Landscape Ontario’s leadership is serious about ensuring a continuous supply of skilled tradespeople to the green industry. Congress organizers arranged to have a number of inspirational speakers from the landscape industry address high school horticulture students from around the province. Amber Griffin, a graduate of a horticultural apprenticeship program, was able to share her success as a parks supervisor for the City of Mississauga. Hearing about a happy, prosperous life in the landscape industry from a young star like Amber is a very powerful experience for students, who are trying to make some of the toughest decisions of their lives. Tom Leedle, of Landscapes by Leedle, addressed the students with considerable conviction about the opportunities that lie ahead for those who pursue horticulture. He spoke about the value of post-secondary education. He spoke about the tremendous incentives available for students who pursue apprenticeships. Indeed, he spoke so convincingly that for a moment I wanted to go back to school! The point is that the LO Labour Task Force Plan is manifesting in the adaptive, multi-faceted way it should.
High school students are inexplicably drawn to horticulture. They know intrinsically that plants and aesthetically pleasing landscapes represent the most fundamental and sacred things in life. Unfortunately, it has not always been clear to students that pursuing a career in horticulture or landscaping can lead to a prosperous living. This is changing. As curriculum changes, and as LO continues to build links with teachers and their students, students are beginning perceive the simple fact that the horticulture and landscaping industry represents a viable career path worth pursuing. Please welcome the next generation of specialists with your mentorship. You make all the difference.
Caption: Cobourg D.C.I. East students tending the winter cherry tomato crop.
Cobourg District Collegiate Institute East
On Thurs., Jan. 10, hundreds of Ontario high school horticulture and landscaping students visited Congress in the name of education. The purpose of the field trip was to expose students to the astounding number of employment opportunities in the green industries. There is no in-school careers assignment that can surpass exposing students to exhibitors from the grounds maintenance, landscape designers, irrigation, garden centre, contractors, lawn care, interior and snow and ice management sectors all at once. The Horticulture Ontario Secondary Teachers Association (HOSTA) would like to thank the exhibitors from Congress 2008 for sharing their literature and for having meaningful conversations with high school students interested in a career in horticulture.
Providing high school students with the rare opportunity of experiencing Congress free is just one example of how Landscape Ontario’s leadership is serious about ensuring a continuous supply of skilled tradespeople to the green industry. Congress organizers arranged to have a number of inspirational speakers from the landscape industry address high school horticulture students from around the province. Amber Griffin, a graduate of a horticultural apprenticeship program, was able to share her success as a parks supervisor for the City of Mississauga. Hearing about a happy, prosperous life in the landscape industry from a young star like Amber is a very powerful experience for students, who are trying to make some of the toughest decisions of their lives. Tom Leedle, of Landscapes by Leedle, addressed the students with considerable conviction about the opportunities that lie ahead for those who pursue horticulture. He spoke about the value of post-secondary education. He spoke about the tremendous incentives available for students who pursue apprenticeships. Indeed, he spoke so convincingly that for a moment I wanted to go back to school! The point is that the LO Labour Task Force Plan is manifesting in the adaptive, multi-faceted way it should.
High school students are inexplicably drawn to horticulture. They know intrinsically that plants and aesthetically pleasing landscapes represent the most fundamental and sacred things in life. Unfortunately, it has not always been clear to students that pursuing a career in horticulture or landscaping can lead to a prosperous living. This is changing. As curriculum changes, and as LO continues to build links with teachers and their students, students are beginning perceive the simple fact that the horticulture and landscaping industry represents a viable career path worth pursuing. Please welcome the next generation of specialists with your mentorship. You make all the difference.
Caption: Cobourg D.C.I. East students tending the winter cherry tomato crop.