By Brent Fox

The Advertiser/NovaNewsNow.com

They have learned a lot and made new contacts. And they are getting ready to fashion their futures.

Toni States, Matt McMullin and Amellia Owen are participants in the Valley African Nova Scotian Development Association (VANSDA)Youth Skills program, finishing up this stage of their employment placement.

States has been at Waterbury Newton legal services for the summer. She said that prior to participating in the program she didn’t know what she wanted to do.

Her term at Waterbury Newton -- which included actually being hired to fill in for a staff member for a term -- taught her many skills including administration as well as networking.

“I learned a lot about working in a fast-paced environment,” States said. “The front desk is really important in a law firm. You are the first person people see when they come in.”

Although it was a different environment for her at first, she found the people at Waterbury Newton really good to work with. “They are really nice to me,” she said. “I’ve adapted well.”

From networking, she has received two interviews – one with the Black Educators Association and one with a realty agency.

States hopes to work for a year and then take Human Services at NSCC Kingstec Campus. “I like people.”

As for the program, States said “it really gives me the lead way to what I want to do. I smile more and I have confidence in myself.”

Sports and recreation

A Central Kings grad with two years university, McMullin wants to advance in the field of sports and health. And part of the preparation has been as a sports camp leader at new Minas Recreation this summer. His previous placements were with Cleves sporting goods and as a physical education assistant at Northeast Kings Education Centre.

Since high school and university, he said, “I’ve found out what I want to do.”

He is enthused with the program and his placements. “The program has been great to me…. It’s good to get out and talk to employers. The employers get the labour and the students get the experience.” At each of his placements he learned valuable tips -- from sports equipment to dealing with children in a school environment.

McMullin intends to enhance his practical education and experience in the field and then establish a business serving all ages in sports and recreation -- from children to seniors.

Likes administration

An administrative assistant at New Minas Recreation, Owen has found that she likes administration work. “I really like this.”

A school counsellor had told her about the program, and it seemed like a good opportunity.

“When I first came into it,” she acknowledged, “I had no idea of what to do… I learned that I want to do administrative work.”

Owen plans to return to school, but she hasn’t determined what type of administration she would like to follow – medical or legal or some other kind.

New Minas Recreation director Vince Forrestall said, “we’re very fortunate to have them here… As a partnership, we’re all winners.” The participants come with skills and gain more.

He hopes to work with VANSDA further in the future.

VANSDA Youth Skills coordinator Ann Marie Viner-Murrell said, “this is a wonderful, wonderful program. We’ve had several great reviews…”

As coordinator, Viner-Murrell matches participants to employers so that it’s win-win situation. For the participants, the benefits include an opportunity to gain the skills in the field in which they are interested or are

Exploring. As well, it provides the employer with the extra help to fill a need.

Anyone who is interested in the Youth Skills program -- youth or employer -- can call 678-5163 to register.