INUVIK
Brigitte Kay is looking for a few good people, and so are the Canadian Armed Forces.
East Three guidance and career counsellor Brigitte Kay, at front right with arms crossed while holding a bag, recently spent two weeks learning about careers in Canada's military, including a session in Halifax, N.S. - photo courtesy of Brigitte Kay
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Kay, a career and guidance counsellor at East Three Secondary School, had a unique chance last month to have an intimate peek into the recruiting process and basic training in the Armed Forces. It left her deeply impressed with the career and educational opportunities many people overlook.
The tour was part of a new campaign by the military offered to people working in education and other "influencers," Kay said. Recruiting for the Armed Forces continues to be a struggle, she said, and top officials are looking for new, innovative ways to stir interest.
Kay said she spent about two weeks on the tour. Some of that was spent in Quebec watching new recruits going through basic training. Additional time was spent in Halifax, N.S., with the navy wing of the military, including a day trip on a destroyer and a diving school.
"We saw field exercises, how (soldiers) react to a car crash, how they work at a refugee camp, and obstacle courses. We saw the quarters, we saw the inspections. We saw where they live and exactly what happens in basic training."
Kay said she had established a "good relationship and rapport" with the recruiting office in Yellowknife prior to the military extending the invitation for her to join the tour.
"They decided to invite people from across Canada, people in education and people who had influence on making career choices. Hopefully with the result that more people would at least take a look at a career with the Canadian Forces," Kay said. That's how I got invited."
The focus was on increasing female recruitment, Kay said.
"There's a tremendous number of career possibilities," she said. "What's not to like?"
Kay acknowledged that a career in the military "won't be for everyone," but said she believes many more people should consider it.
"For the right person it would be a valuable, gratifying, secure career," she said. "If anyone in the community has questions, they should contact me, and not just students."
Kay added that for people entering the Forces at an early age, there's a generous pension and the opportunity for a second career. It's also a chance to receive a post-secondary education for free, along with some on-the-job training that rivals anything available in the private sector.
Interestingly, during the tour Kay said she had the chance to talk to some parents of recruits who were profoundly grateful to the Forces for helping to better prepare their children for the working world.
"The parents thanked them for teaching their children something," she said.
