BY BRENT FOX

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com

They have acquired useful employment skills and are ready now to go forward into their futures.

Seven participants graduated form the Valley African Nova Scotia Development Agency (VANSDA) Youth Skills program Oct. 16. The graduates include: Matt McMullin, Brandon Simmonds, Leah Hawley, Amellia Owen, Toni States, Denzel Johnson and Justin Parent.

The program included job placements with a variety of employers, from legal services to recreation.

McMullin, who worked with New Minas Recreation for much of his experience, intends to continue his education with pertinent courses in order to begin eventually a sports-related business.

McMullin said, “this course provided me with an opportunity to further my knowledge and skills. It gave me a lot of experience in the sports and recreation field.”

He will continue with his floor hockey program at EMS.

Hawley is pleased with the aesthetician experience she gained during her work term at BeLeaf Spa in Kentville and she will return there for employment in the near future.

Simmonds worked at Timbertec, building such things as solid playground equipment. “It worked out great,” he said. “I gained a lot of experience.” It’s a good start to his intended trade in welding.

States worked in a law office and for the Black Educators Association. “It was great,” she said. “I gained a lot.” The skills she acquired will help her when she heads to Kingstec to study Human Services on her way to working in the youth justice field.

Administrative work at New Minas Recreation has given Owen skills and experience for her future. She has developed an aptitude for administrative work. “I’ll be going back to school at some point,” she said. The experience will help with that and with finding employment.