A 2012 publication from the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie and the Education Works Alliance, with all stories written by me. Section went to 80,000 homes in Brantford, Brant, Six Nations, Norfolk County and parts of Haldimand County. Contains profiles of 19 residentswho are positive role models showing the value of education to others.

1. education
WORKS Celebrating Education Champions
in Our Community
Education Works Alliance
Special Section
February 2012
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2. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 2
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3. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 3
Congratulate our Champions
Wow. Are we impressed. and sometimes plain stub-
When we, the Educa- bornness to achieve their
tion Works Alliance, called
for nominations of people
goals and dreams.
Our Champions show that
Our Champions
who we’re calling Educa- anything is possible – a theme Here’s a list of the • Adrian Mezinski
tion Works Champions, we that runs throughout the sto- 2012 Education Works • Wendy McIsaac
weren’t sure what to expect ries in the following pages. Champions you’ll • Kelly Misener
We didn’t know how the It’s never too late to gradu- read about in the • Tracey Mwoyoswiyi
community would respond ate. High school dropouts can following pages: • Katey Rego
to this first-ever campaign finish their diploma; they can • Sami Akiki • Kevin Russell
asking for positive role mod- even go to college or univer- • Chyvonne Evans • Keith Stephens
els showing the value of sity. People are never too old • Ronnie Gerrard • Carrie Van Schyndel
education and training. We to pursue the career they’ve • Bill Isherwood • Amanda Taylor
didn’t know how many nom- always dreamed about. You’re • Angela Knight • Linda Wilson
inations we would receive. also never too old to become • Amanda Joseph • Amanda Wyles
And we didn’t know what an apprentice. • Betty Lewis • Terry Yeoman
kind of real life stories we Losing a job doesn’t end
would hear. a career; it creates a new
But w e’re impressed. opportunity. Being the first
Blown away, in fact. in your family to finish Grade
We got exactly what we 12 or go to post-secondary
hoped for – and more – is something to be proud of.
in the 19 nominations we Adding new skills through
received: truly inspirational continuing education makes
stories about amazing peo- you a better person and can
ple, many of whom have enhance your career. Life-
beaten the odds to achieve long learning can be fun.
their dreams. Stories about The Champions’ stories
people who show that Edu- also show that there are a
cation Works. lot of helpful, caring people,
Join us in congratulating organizations and educa-
the 2012 Class of Champions. tional facilities in our com-
Our Champions range in munity, ready to assist peo-
age from 19 to 60. Many of ple every step of the way to
these Champions have had achieve their potential. Help
to overcome huge hurdles is just a phone call, email or
to achieve their goals: lack visit away.
of money, job losses, fam- We hope the stories in
ily issues, personal chal- the following pages – sto-
lenges, lack of confidence, ries about our neighbours,
and more. co-workers, acquaintances,
They didn’t let these things friends and peers – will
stand in their way. inspire people in our com-
They showed courage, per- munity to realize they can do
severance, resourcefulness it, too. photo by: Mark Skeffington
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4. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 4
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5. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 5
Education Works: Who we are
The Education Alliance members include:
Works Alliance’s goal
• Brant Brantford Roundtable on Poverty • Grand River Community Health Centre
is to build “prosper-
ity through training, • Brant County Economic Development • rand River Employment and Training
G
education and lifelong • Brant County Economic Development
(GREAT)
learning.” Advisory Committee • Grand Valley Educational Society
The Alliance, a broad • Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District
• Haldimand County
community partner- School Board • Laurier Brantford
ship, is committed to • Brant Skills Centre
helping raise the edu- • Literacy Link South Central
cation, literacy and • Brantford Brant Chamber of Commerce • inistry of Training, Colleges and
M
skill levels of adults in • Brantford Public Library
Universities
Brantford, Brant, Six • City of Brantford – Economic Development
• Mohawk College
Nations, New Credit, and Tourism • orfolk County Tourism and Economic
N
Haldimand and Nor- • City of Brantford – Social Services Development
folk.
It’s all about helping • Community Resource Service (CRS) • St. Leonard’s Community Services
people achieve their • County of Brant Public Library • School College Work Initiative, Grand River
potential. • Fanshawe College -- Simcoe • Six Nations Polytechnic
Why is this our goal? • Grand Erie District School Board • United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk
As the stories in
• Grand Erie Immigration Partnership • Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie
these pages show, edu-
cation and training is
a key pathway for peo- The Education Works Alliance and the Education Works Champions campaign has received
ple to build success- financial support from these organizations:
ful careers and lives.
Education and train-
ing is also the pathway
to build the skilled,
resilient workforce the
economy of today and
tomorrow requires.
We k n ow t h e va st
majority of future jobs will
businesses and workforces
are built on people. It’s all
munity identified a need for
a regional education strat- Education Works Tae McIntosh, Tae Photography
For more information on Education
require post-secondary edu-
cation of some kind: college,
linked.
“We firmly believe we
egy.
This ongoing initiative has
Champions section Works Alliance and the Education Works
Champions campaign, please contact:
university, trades train- can increase the prosper- been supported by the Min- This Special Section was created
by the Education Works Alliance. Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie
ing, other training. In short, ity of our community one istry of Training, Colleges 1100 Clarence St. S., Suite 103B, Box 12,
the more the better. More person at a time,” says Betty and Universities. All stories written by Brantford, ON N3S 7N8
education and training Anne Jackson, co-chair of Alliance members come Mark Skeffington,
the Education Works Alli- from education, literacy 519-756-1116
increases a person’s future Workforce Planning Board
prospects. ance. groups, economic develop- admin@workforceplanningboard.org
We also know that hav- The Alliance grew out ment, libraries, employment of Grand Erie www.workforceplanningboard.org
ing a well-educated and of an Education Taskforce services, business and com- Photographs: The Education Works Alliance welcomes
trained workforce is crucial formed by the Workforce munity organizations across Jaymie Nelson Mark Skeffington, new members. Please contact the Workforce
to a community’s success. Planning Board of Grand the Grand Erie area. Workforce Planning Board Planning Board of Grand Erie.
Successful communities, Erie in 2010, after the com-
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6. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 6
Taking steps
to succeed
Katey Rego, Amanda Tay-
lor and Angela Knight are all
Early Childhood Educator
(ECE) program at Mohawk
ning a household.
Having taken so many
taking steps to be role mod- College. positive steps already on her
els for their children. “I want to show my daugh- path to be an ECE and work
“I want a better life for my ter that education is impor- with children, Amanda feels
children and I want a bet- tant. I want her to see me more positive and self-con-
ter life for me,” says Katey, as a role model,” she says. fident.
expressing a common theme “I also wanted to achieve it
for all three women.
The Brantford residents
(Grade 12) for myself. It felt
really good to finish.”
Angela Knight
have all participated in the Although Amanda has After years of volunteer-
Steps to Success program always had dreams and ing at her children’s school,
offered by Ontario Works goals, they didn’t seem Angela decided it was time
Brant. The program helps reachable. for her to resume her own
people set goals and take Participating in the Steps education.
steps to achieve them, offer- to Success program helped The 36-year-old parent
ing advice and support all Amanda set goals and make of three has had to over-
along the way. their achievable. The pro- come many obstacles, but
Katey, Amanda and gram focuses on goal set- is on the verge of complet-
Angela all identified goals ting, timelines, problem ing the Education Assistant
to resume their education, solving and starting to move program at Mohawk College
be role models for their in the right direction. this spring. Angela’s deter-
children, and put them- Step 1 was completing mination to achieve her goal
selves in a strong position Grade 12. Step 2 was obtain- has impressed the people
to start careers. Now, they’re ing Second Career fund- around her.
achieving those goals, one ing to pay for her schooling. Angela finished second-
step at a time. Step 3 was going to college. ary school and completed
Step 4 was completing the one year at Toronto’s George
Amanda Taylor first semester. Step 5 will be
completing second semes-
B row n C o l l e g e b a ck i n
1995. She moved to Brant-
Amanda, 28, feels moti- ter. There are more steps to ford when family members
vated to achieve at educa- come. became ill. Years passed
tion, both for her own sake Steps to Success, fam- and Angela’s own educa-
and her 8-year-old daugh- ily and friends have kept tional goals got pushed to
ter. Amanda moving forward on the background, as she had
In the last year, Amanda the right path, helping her a family and coped with
has completed her Grade 12 overcome barriers along the many challenges. photo by: tae mcintosh
– she dropped out earlier at way, handling financial con- Amanda Taylor (left) and Angela Knight see education as a stepping stone to a better life.
age 16 -- and enrolled in the cerns, raising a family, run- Continued on next page
Proud to be a member affiliated with the Education Works Alliance
Congratulations to the Education Works Champions
Mayor Council
Brant County
BF65219479

7. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 7
Steps to Success a big help Why education matters Education • eople with
P
from previous page
Katey Rego plays
large role in
a higher levels
of education
Still, the thought of Sometimes it takes some- everyone’s life generally
d o i n g m o re w a s a t t h e one believing in you before and career. earn more
back of her mind. “I guess you believe in yourself. Whether money.
I knew I wanted to do That’s part of Katey’s you work for someone Education is perhaps
more than I was doing,” story. or work for yourself, more important than ever
she says. Katey, 26, believes in her- education will help you before, as the job market
The principal of her chil- self more and more each find a job, build a career, and economy changes
dren’s school, where she day as she gets closer to her r u n a b u s i n e s s, e a r n a in O ntar io, Canada and
had volunteered almost Grade 12 graduation this living, raise a family, and around the world.
daily for years, told her she June. find personal satisfaction. Forecasts show that
could do the same kind of Staff at the Steps to Suc- When hiring, employers 7 out of 10 jobs will soon
work and get paid for it. c e s s p ro g ra m b e l i e v e d look at two main things : re q u i re p o s t-s e c o n d a r y
Soon, through Steps to in Katey and helped her previous experience and credentials of some kind:
Success, Angela mapped believe in herself. The pro- education. The more you trades certificates, college,
out her goal of becom- gram gave Katey someone have, usually the better university and professional
ing an Education Assist- to talk to and set goals, and chance you have of being designations.
ant and obtained Second hired. Employers see Employers are looking
now she is putting in the
Career funding to attend education as an indication f o r m o re h i g h l y s k i l l e d
hard work to achieve those of whether a person has the
Mo hawk – retu rning to goals to have a better life for and educated employees.
knowledge and ability to do In fact, some employers
education after being away her and her children, aged a job.
for 16 years. 7, 5 and 3. are already having trouble
At t i m e s, A n g e l a f e l t The difference between Education also plays a finding the skilled, well-
over whelmed by multi- going to high school years large role in the success and educated employees they
ple challenges: raising her prosperity of communities. need.
ago and now is like night
three school-aged children and day, Katey says. Some facts about the Fe w e r a n d f e w e r j o b s
(ages 8, 10 and 13), paying Before she never finished importance of education: require less than Grade 12
her bills, no car or driv- a whole semester of school, • mployment
E or even Grade 12.
er’s licence, and personal had marks in the 60s, and opportunities are T h e E d u c a t i o n Wo r k s
struggles with self-esteem never applied herself. Now, growing for people Alliance was established
and self-confidence. she puts in lots of efforts, with post-secondary to help our residents and
Yet, she has stuck with attends regularly and has a education (college, community prepare for the
it, and is achieving high 92% average. university, trades changing job market and
marks. “I’m more motivated now training). economy.
Angela credits the Steps and I’m an adult. I take these • mployment
E We want to help residents
to Success program, fam- things more seriously now. I opportunities are a ch ie ve th eir p o tentia l,
ily, fr iends, classmates want to do something more shrinking for people with and have the education,
and her children’s school with my life.” only Grade 12 or less training and skills needed
for being supportive every When she does graduate than Grade 12. to succeed. We want to
step of the way. in June, Katey will become • eople with less than
P ensure Brantford, Brant,
No w , f l u s h w i t h n e w the first in her family to get a Grade 12 have higher Haldimand, Norfolk, Six
self-confidence and a pos- secondary school diploma. unemployment rates Nations and New Credit
itive attitude, Angela is than those with more. prosper and grow.
And she is already eying
ready to share her enthu- her next opportunity, • n general, the
I Ever yone has a role to
siasm for learning to reviewing post-secondary photo by: tae mcintosh unemployment rate play to help our community
encourage others to move programs to see what is the Katey Rego is motivated to do well in school because she drops as the education s u c c e e d a n d t o e n s u re
forward in their lives. best fit for her. wants to be a role model for her children. level rises. people have good jobs.
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Education program.
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— help teachers spark discussion and build students’
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8. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 8
Teacher gets her Grade 12
Wendy McIsaac is a Aid Society after grad-
successful high school uating, but lost her job
teacher with three uni- when it amalgamated
versity degrees to her with the Norfolk CAS.
name. With two children to
But, strangely enough, support and newly sep- Ken Hewitt
until a few years ago, arated, Wendy needed
We n d y d i d n ’ t hav e
the secondary school
a n e w c a r e e r. W i t h
the encouragement of
Haldimand
diploma she was encour-
aging and helping her
friends, she entered the
University of Waterloo Mayor offers
own students to get.
“It’s so important to
as a mature student.
She went to Waterloo congratulations
get your Ontario Sec- full time, worked three
ondary School Diploma,” jobs, raised her children On behalf of Haldimand
says the 56-year-old Eng- and got her Bachelor of County Council, may I take
lish and drama teacher at Arts degree. this opportunity to offer
North Park Collegiate. “It Later, when Wendy’s our congratulations to this
was one of those things I two children went to year’s Education Works Alli-
regretted not getting.” post-secondary school ance Champions. This wor-
In 2006, Wendy themselves, she moved thy campaign promotes
stopped regretting and to Newfoundland to get the value of education and
proudly joined some of her Bachelor of Educa- training to residents in Hald-
her own students in a tion. imand County, and helps to
graduation ceremony. She then moved back ensure that our workforce
“I actually gradu- to Ontario and started is well prepared in order
ated with a bunch of my working as a teacher. to remain competitive and
graduates. It was crazy. I W h i l e t e a c h i ng, s h e prosperous in the future.
got a standing ovation at completed her Master of This is indeed a very spe-
the Sanderson Centre,” Education degree, work- cial and happy occasion, and
says the Nanticoke resi- ing as a night school we are pleased to share with
dent. teacher, summer school Education Works Alliance,
It was kind of a fluke teacher and even as a family and friends, in con-
that Wendy ended up a telemarketer to help pay gratulating 2012 Education
teacher without com- off her student loans. Works Champions. These
pleting high school. These days, Wendy outstanding recipients dem-
She started her career continues to encourage onstrate that using learning
as a Registered Nursing her North Park students and education as a tool to
Assistant (now known to work hard, get their achieve personal and career
as Registered Practical Grade 12, further their goals is possible. Congrat-
Nurse or RPN). At the education and achieve ulations on your successful
time, she only needed their dreams. And if efforts!
Grade 10 to enter the students want to hear a With special thoughts and
college program. real-life example of how wishes,
photo by: tae mcintosh His Worship,
Wendy worked at the it can be done, Wendy
Haldimand Children’s can tell her own story. Wendy McIsaac is a role model for her students at North Park Collegiate. Mayor Ken Hewitt
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9. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 9
From dropout to award winner
Ontario Scholar, schol-
arship winner, award win-
ner, college student – these
words all describe Chy-
vonne Evans.
But it’s Chyvonne’s per-
sonal stor y – a stor y of
determination -- that make
these achievement stand
out, especially since she was
once a high school dropout.
The 20-year-old single
mother of two young daugh-
ters had to work incred- photo by: Mark Skeffington
ibly hard in a short period
of time to earn nine high Adrian Mezinski credits the SWAC program for getting him to
school credits so she could college.
SWAC success story
obtain her Ontario Second-
ary School Diploma and get
into college.
Chyvonne attended the
School Within A College Adrian Mezinski has He found a new sense of
(SWAC) program at Mohawk become hooked on educa- direction when he enrolled
College. Students earn both tion just a couple years after in the SWAC program, which
high school and college struggling in high school. offers both secondary school
credits through the alterna- Mezinski, 19, is in his credits and college credits.
tive education program. She fourth semester of a Compu- He gradually went from sim-
credits the SWAC program ter Sciences Software Devel- ply attending classes to par-
for changing her life. opment program at Mohawk ticipating, and then working
“There’s not even a word College. And he’s already hard to get high grades and
to describe yow great that thinking ahead to his next sharing his enthusiasm with
program is,” she says. “The education options: a univer- other students.
teachers believe in you. They sity degree in digital design He especially enjoyed the
treat you like adults.” or courses in video game college courses and decided
She also regained her self- design, music production, that’s where he wanted to be
confidence, something she photo by: tae mcintosh maybe even art. – in college.
didn’t have much of when Chyvonne Evans is now motivated to succeed in school after earlier being a high school “I’m going to be a stu- “Without the SWAC pro-
she dropped out of Grade dropout. dent for a long time,” he says, gram I’m not sure how I
11. laughing. would have got to college,”
“I definitely didn’t have especially since was the only semester. And she didn’t She also made the grade T h e B ra n t f o rd m a n ’s says Mezinski, now a strong
my confidence,” she says pregnant student in school. just pass – she aced it, being while raising her two daugh- enthusiasm is surprising con- advocate for the alternative
of her high school days. “I She tried one alternative named an Ontario Scholar ters, now aged 3 and 18 sidering he was floundering education pathway.
gained it back and now I’m school but that didn’t work and receiving three awards: months, and dealing with in secondary school not too He has suggested SWAC
good.” out either. Then she learned one as top overall student, to other issues. long ago. He was skipping to s e ve ra l p e o p l e, w ho
After dropping out of about SWAC. business class student and a She has recently started classes, lacked motivation have signed up themselves.
school, Chyvonne tried Chyvonne gave it her all scholarship award from the the two-year Office Admin- and focus, and didn’t appear “SWAC offers a different out-
going back the next year. But and completed her nine Grand Erie District School istration Legal program at like he would graduate. He look and has a chance to
she didn’t feel like she fit in, high school credits in one Board. Mohawk. was seven credits short. help a lot of people.”
• Resource and Information • Job Retention Support
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10. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 10
Learning has no age limit
At age 59, Terry Yeo- dating prospect,” he says
man is living proof it’s now looking back. “I
never too late to gradu- hadn’t been in school for
ate. 40 years. But it is one of
Ter r y recently com- the best decisions I ever
pleted the College and made.”
Career Preparation pro- Te r r y f a c e d n u m e r-
gram at Mohawk Col- ous challenges along the
lege’s Brantford campus, way. With money tight,
earning marks of 94 and he had trouble paying
83 in his two courses. rent, buying food and
That earned him class getting to school without
valedictorian honours. a car. Then there was the photo by: Mark Skeffington
Terry decided to go a stigma of being the oldest Sami Akiki has put in hard word to improve his reading and
step further and get his student in class – some- writing.
Grade 12 equivalency by thing he was able to get
passing his GED (General used to.
Practice
Educational Develop- Ter r y is thankful he
ment) test. He even com- had family, friends, class-
pleted a post-secondary mates, teachers, the Brant
course with a 90% mark. Skills Centre and Ontario
No t b a d , e s p e c i a l l y Works he could rely on
considering the Brantford for continuous encour-
paying off
resident only had one agement.
high school credit to his While having a Grade
name when he started. 12 education wasn’t so
Terry had a long career important when he was
as a printer before things young, Terry realizes it is
went off the rails in 2008. a must in today’s world.
He lost the job he had “Now you need a mini-
held for 22 years, he lost mum of high school for
his mother, and got into absolutely everything,” Sami Akiki hasn’t let chal- and be patient.”
financial straits, forcing he says. lenges with reading and It’s advice that Sami, 22,
him onto Ontario Works These days, with his writing stop him from pur- has taken to heart himself.
to get by. new education and new suing his dreams. He has put in a lot of prac-
But his misfortune self-confidence, Terry is The Brantford man has tice time, attending classes
also created an opportu- looking for a job. He is worked incredibly hard on three times a week at the
nity. He met people who attending workshops on improving his skills, bringing Brant Skills Centre (formerly
wanted to help him. resume writing and job his reading and writing up called the Literacy Council
Terry was referred to interview skills. He hopes to a level to enter the Child of Brantford and District),
the Brant Skills Centre potential employers will and Youth Worker diploma which helps adults improve
(then known as the Liter- be impressed by the hard program at Mohawk College their literacy and essential
acy Council of Brantford work and determination last September. skills. He also put in tremen-
and District), where staff he’s put in to become “I was never that great at dous amounts of time at
suggested he take the better educated. reading and writing in high home to study and improve
college and career prepa- A n d Te r r y ’s a f i r m school. You’ve just got to further.
ration program. believer that if he can do photo by: tae mcintosh keep practicing,” he says.
“It was a very intimi- it at his age, anyone can. Terry Yeoman believes you’re never too old to complete Grade 12. “Never give up, keep going Continued on next page
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11. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 11
Second Practice
Career paying
means second off
from previous page
chance Sami completed vocabu-
lary booster books, learned
strategies to improve his
grammar and writing, and
was introduced to essay
When Bill Isherwood lost ing and Design Certificate in writing. He also learned
his job in 2008 he was dev- 2010. Mechanical drafting how to write essays and
astated. had been a subject he had reports on a computer –
But then, after a little enjoyed back in high school a skill he needed for his
while, the 53-year-old real- but had never pursued. course -- using Microsoft
ized it was an opportunity Bill graduated with top Word.
to change careers and pur- honours in his Mohawk pro- Sami has put in the extra
sue something that had gram, with an average of time while juggling his
always been at the back of 97% -- no doubt proof it was course work and working
his mind. meant to be. at his family’s gas station
“Even though I didn’t see Now, Bill works in his new and convenience store in
it as an opportunity at first, field as a CAD Technician at Brantford.
losing my job allowed me to Matrixx Specialized Trailer All along the way, Sami
return to school to update in Brantford. has been able to rely on
my skills and pursue a career Bill knows he was more the staff at the Brant Skills
that I had always wanted,” fortunate than many others Centre to help him over-
Bill says now. “I have noth- who lost their jobs. His wife, come any difficulties that
ing but good things to say Sharon, worked full-time have popped up. His sup-
about my learning experi- and he received a severance portive parents have also
ence.” package from his previous been cheerleaders all
The Brantford man was employer. along.
working as a service tech- Still, it wasn’t easy. Bill’s Sami wants to even-
nician for printers and pho- young son started elemen- tually become a police
tocopy machines, when the tary school at the same time officer. He earlier took the
recession hit and he lost his as he started college, and he Law Enforcement Founda-
job. had to juggle taking care of tions program at Everest
Because of his layoff, his son with his own stud- College, a private career
Bill was able to obtain Sec- ies. Bill credits the support college. Taking the Child
ond Career funding to go of his family for helping him and Youth Worker pro -
to Mohawk College, where achieve his dream of a new gram gives Sami, who also
he obtained his CAD/CAM career. c o a c h e s f o r t h e B r a n t-
(Computer Aided Design/ “I am proud of myself. ford Bisons youth football
Computer Aided Manufac- Now I’m doing what I’ve photo by: tae mcintosh program, another career
turing) Automated Machin- always wanted to do.” Bill Isherwood used the Second Career program to start the career he always dreamed of. option.
• Resource and Information • Job Retention Support
• Job Search Assistance • Labour Market and Career Investigation
• Access to Funded Program • Service Quality, Outcomes Activity
(Second Career, Self Employment) • Client Service Planning Co-ordination
• Job Matching Placement Incentives • Employment Service Performance and
• Apprenticeship Support Management
BF65223544
The Employment Ontario project, program, or service is funded
in part by the Government of Canada.

12. Page 12 education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ F E BR U AR Y 2012 ~ Page 13
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13. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 14
Trailblazer for her family
Congratulations
from the Mayor
As Mayor of the City of
Brantford, and on behalf
Amanda Joseph ground to make up. of my Council colleagues,
celebrated her 30th I would like to extend my
Initially, she juggled sincere congratulations to the
birthday last year by night school and day-time
becoming the first of 14 outstanding people in our
courses, and added more community who have been
siblings in her family to get and more courses as she
their Grade 12 diploma. nominated for Education Works
went along, including Champions.
“It makes me feel pretty some university-level ones.
awesome,” Amanda says of Amanda succeeded in all of We want
graduating. them, even as she devoted to publicly
time to being a wife and re c o g n i z e
Si n c e t h e n , A ma n d a’s each and
happy that one of her mother.
every one
brothers has followed Amanda also explored her of you who
her example and is now opportunities with GEL A have used
working to finish his Grade staff. She worked at GELA learning and
12. “It was really nice to as part of a co-operative education as
be a leader, to get the ball education placement, a pathway
rolling,” she says. helping the administrative to achieve Chris Friel
The Six Nations woman team. personal
graduated from Grand Erie Meanwhile, she was and career
Learning Alternatives - a model student for her success. We are proud to
City Centre Campus, Adult peers, starting a homework acknowledge that we have
Education as valedictorian, and tutorial group to help 15 nominees who are being
as voted by her classmates. other students study and profiled as Champions in the
Amanda had impressed succeed. City of Brantford.
her fellow students so GELA staff saw Amanda I would also like to extend
much, that the y p i cke d move from a quiet, my thanks to the Education
her for the honour, which introspective adult student Works Alliance for your
usually goes to the top t o a m o t i v at e d s u c c e s s on-going commitment to
student in a school. She story: a positive role model our community. You have
felt “gobsmacked” to be for her own children and to demonstrated a commitment
chosen. others, someone who has to raising the education, literacy
It was a well-deser ved beaten the odds to graduate and skill levels of adults in
honour for Amanda, whose secondary school. Brantford, Brant, Six Nations,
ha rd w o rk , at t e n d a n c e, These days, Amanda is New Credit, Haldimand
leadership, high marks and working on her art work and Norfolk to broaden
classroom involvement also and a book, but would like opportunities for employment
impressed her teachers. to go to university to study and build prosperity.
Amanda showed her philosophy. Again, my sincere
courage by signing up for She believes other people appreciation and
adult education after being can achieve the same goal congratulations to all the
away from the classroom she did, especially if they nominees.
for almost 15 years. The are willing to work hard Sincerely,
mother of two boys, aged and persevere. “Don’t give
10 and 13, started with only up,” she advises. “No matter
four credits towards her how hard it is, no matter
Ontario Secondary School how hard you feel it is, just photo by: tae mcintosh
Diploma, so had lots of keep on going.” Amanda Joseph feels “pretty awesome” after completing her Grade 12. Chris Friel
Vibrant, prosperous, welcoming communities. — This is our vision.
Working together to support
newcomers in Grand Erie.
BF65224091
www.workforceplanningboard.org/immigration

14. education WORKS ALLIANCE ~ FEB R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 ~ Page 15
Achieving her goals
Since coming to a Can-
Education crucial
for newcomers
ada as a refugee 10 years Education and work is expertise, compared to just
ago, Tracey Mwoyoswiyi has important to everyone, but one quarter of Canadians as a
made education one of her newcomers face some unique whole.
top goals. challenges. Upgrading and resuming
Tracey’s desire to improve Newcomers in Grand Erie educational studies to meet
herself has remained stead- have identified access to edu- the needs of the local labour
fast, even as she’s struggled cational upgrading, train- market and achieve provin-
juggling full-time work and ing and English language cial/national standards – part
classes, money issues, being resources as key to their suc- of the accreditation process
an adult student and Eng- cess. -- is a reality for newcomers.
lish being her second lan- Why? Because upgrad- Sometimes it takes years for a
guage. ing their skills and education, newcomer to gain the creden-
When she first came here along with improving their tials to work in their fields.
from Zimbabwe, Tracey English, is essential for new- The need to better under-
didn’t have documents comers to find employment. stand the accreditation proc-
showing her high school Immigrants represent ess and identify educational
education, so she had to about 12% of the total popula- supports and resources in the
complete her Grade 12 tion of Grand Erie. From 2000 community is important to
equivalency. to 2010, about 3,200 immi- have newcomers participate
Soon after, she completed grants from around the world fully in the labour market.
a 6-month Personal Sup- have made Grand Erie home. The inability of newcomers
port Worker Certificate. Almost half of all immigrants to use their skills, experiences
Then in 2010, Tracey earned who come here are in the and expertise impacts the
her Social Services Diploma prime working ages of 25-44. prosperity of our community.
from Mohawk College. She Generally speaking, new- The Grand Erie Immigra-
works as a personal support comers are also well educated. tion Partnership is a project
photo by: tae mcintosh In Brantford – Brant, 67% of designed to strengthen our
worker at the Park Lane Ter-
race in Paris. Tracey Mwoyoswiyi believes learning is a life-long affair. recent immigrants have post- community and make new-
Now 57, Tracey isn’t done secondary education (trade comers feel welcome. It is
with her education. She has “I knew that if I had a including computers.” Tracey is thankful she was school, college, university, one of 35 projects in Ontario
a new education goal. chance to study in Canada, Along the way, there were able to draw support from etc.). funded through Citizenship
“Sometimes people laugh I would educate myself and times when Tracey felt like other Zimbabwe immi- Although many immigrants and Immigration Canada.
at me and wonder why I be able to help other peo- quitting, such as when she grants in Brantford and her come here already well edu- The Partnership’s vision is
don’t just enjoy my life, but ple.” had tough assignments. But church, who have acted like cated, their educational cre- achieving “vibrant, prosper-
I have a goal. Now one of Since Tracey needed to she studied hard and wasn’t her extended family. dentials – their post-second- ous, welcoming communi-
my goals is to get my under- work full time to support afraid to ask teachers and Now, as she looks at start- ary diplomas, degrees, certif- ties” for all.
graduate degree,” says the herself, she didn’t qual- fellow students for help. ing a university degree, icates – aren’t always recog- Contributing to the vision
Brantford resident. ify for student loans. She Another personal chal- Tracey is proud that young nized in Canada. Newcomers is the availability of training,
Tracey has always been was able to use bursaries to lenge for Tracey was she people she knows look up must frequently take jobs that education and opportunities
interested in social work and help cover some expenses. sometimes felt isolated, to her and ask her for help are unrelated to their field of for lifelong learning. Also con-
then, once she moved to She also found it hard as since she only had two fam- when studying. study or their trained profes- tributing to the achievement of
Canada, she learned of the a mature student. “Going ily members in Canada; she Her advice is simple: “No sion. this vision is the desire of new-
many educational opportu- back to school at my age was has four daughters: one in matter what age you are, you More than half of recent comers in Grand Erie to work
nities here. a challenge. It was all new. Montreal, two in the United can achieve what you want immigrants are not work- and contribute to the commu-
I had to learn everything, States, and one in Egypt. to be in life – achieve high.” ing in their fields of study or nities in which they live.
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