Today, Western Fair Association and SLOME (Skills London, Oxford, Middlesex, Elgin) announce a new community partnership that will grow skilled trades exposure to 1000’s of students and build upon a strong existing business relationship.
The sponsorship of 90,000 square feet of state-of-the-art display space within the Western Fair Agriplex will help SLOME build a bigger educational bridge, connecting students and community members with the opportunity to explore future career paths. 100’s of skilled trade and service personnel will offer interactive training activities providing kids with hands-on learning. As one of SLOME’s main corporate supporters, the Western Fair Association announced this partnership to emphasize the importance of educational programming like SLOME. This commitment will also emphasize the fact that the Western Fair Association is rooted in the idea of partnership and plans to continue to evolve its commitment to community and business through community partnerships like the one announced today with SLOME.
“We are very pleased to support SLOME’s initiative. Their expanded event will heighten awareness and promote greater appreciation of skilled trades and services”, said Reg Ash, Events and Facilities Manager for the Western Fair Association. “We consider our support of SLOME an investment in our community and its youth, as well as in the future of skill trades and services for London and communities across the country.”
The Western Fair Association is all about providing unique experiences for our visitors and SLOME provides just that. When kids have a chance to meet skilled staff and trades people, try a skill-based activity with trained individuals and time to reflect on each area covered, they are learning. The Western Fair Association is proud to have a small hand in helping SLOME bring this beneficial education program to youth in our community.
“We wanted to add Agriculture and the Environment to our menu of career area options, says SLOME Coordinator Steve Andrusiak. It was a Western Fair manager who suggested the Agriplex as a natural fit for this purpose. It’s a bright, large, modern venue to be sure. However this isn’t just about a generous gift of space. Add to this the spirit, expertise and the talents of Western Fair staff and management and you have a partnership that beams civic commitment to the kids we serve at Skills London Oxford Middlesex and Elgin.” SLOME is a not-for-profit initiative of the Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford Local Training Board under the leadership of Executive Director Deb Mountenay.
Students can check out: first responders (police, firefighters, paramedics, armed forces and emergency services); environmental jobs in wind, power, water, recycling, soil and nuclear; agricultural and horticultural pursuits (arborist, fruit grower, vintner, dairy, swine, horse groom, harness maker, saddlery); service sector (food and hospitality, human services, personal grooming, design and repair); trades (iron worker, heavy equipment, electrician, plumber, steam fitter, construction, millwright, sheet metal, power line technician, masonry, heating and electric, interior design and construction needs), plus the automotive and transportation sector and so much more. SLOME at the Western Fair Agriplex is a learning experience for all who have the opportunity to attend.
Western Fair Association supports SLOME’s educational pursuits and congratulates them on the growth of their event. We welcome them to the Agriplex for their event in May of 2007.
Events and Facilities Manager
Western Fair Association
519 438-7203 EX 292
rash@westerfair.com
SLOME Coordinator
519 672-3499
steve@localboard.on.ca
