Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

Rae-Edzo (Nov 08/99) - Opportunity filled the hallways of Rae-Edzo's Chief Jimmy Bruneau school last week. Representatives from different companies and colleges were there to answer questions from students about the opportunities that abound for Northern youth.

"One of the important reasons to connect with kids at this age is it gives us the opportunity to show them why it's important to stay in school," said Aurora College student counsellor Joanne Erasmus.

"I was glad to be able to come because the kids can talk to a Dene role model and ask me questions person-to-person."

The Aurora College booth was an important stop for the students because of the jobs they were asking about -- many require a college or university education.

"I'm trying to make the 'stay in school' message real to them," said Erasmus.

"We tell the kids they have to work hard for a career and they realize that education combined with experience is essential. We're telling them not to settle because the Dene need more people with higher education and skill levels."

The job fair was organized by the school's staff and students. Each student took a passport around to the different display areas, which included everything from government agencies to tourism and airline companies.

After asking representatives about their fields of expertise, each student received a stamp to show they were at the booth.

"I'm learning about talking to people and I'm really interested in the Diavik diamond-cutting program," said student Elvis Rabesca.

"I might like to try something like that in the future."

First Air marketing manager Julia Mott said they are participating in the job fair because from a Northern business perspective, connecting with students at a young age is "absolutely critical."

"First, we have to bear in mind our own recruitment needs. If we can stimulate interest in the local youth it means we can hire locally, which is what we prefer to do," said Mott.

"The flipside of that coin is to ensure that kids today are aware of the opportunities that exist. Because of computers, the Internet and distance learning, kids don't have to travel so far to become trained.

"Many of these kids don't want to leave the North to get their education and these days, they don't have to," she said.

After filling his job fair passport with stamps, Grade 7 student Warren Smith said he now has a better idea of what jobs are available and what he needs to take at university or college to do those jobs.

"I think to survive these days it's important to go to college. If you want a good job, you have to go to school," said Smith.