Steven Cavanagh is On His Way

Steven Cavanagh, a grade 11 student from Bishop Alexander-Carter Catholic Secondary School, really wanted to experience what welding was all about. For him, co-op was the best solution. “I knew welding interested me but I wanted to make sure this was the right choice for me. Through co-op I was able to get a placement at Tracks and Wheels in Sudbury”.

This employer believes in helping our youth view the trades in a positive light and wants students to seriously consider the trades as a first choice destination.

Matthew Furino is On His Way

Matthew Furino, a young man who wanted to experience a trade first-hand, signed-up for co-op in the 2002-2003 school year. His placement at Centis Tiles and Terrazo made him realize that this was a career in which he was interested. In May 2003 Matthew was registered as an Ontairo Youth Apprentice, leading to paid summer empoyment with the company.

Matthew was committed to his choice of career and returned to school in 2004 to complete a required math credit. As a result, he had the opportunity to continue with his employer as an OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) sudent via the co-op program. "It made me understand the link between the math skills required to do this work and what I was learning in class. Let's say the motivation to be successful was there this time around." Matthew completed his Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in January of this year, and is now well on his way to becoming a certified Tile and Terrazzo Journeyperson.