With 21 different stops scattered throughout Brantford, Grand Erie students were given the opportunity to visit local facilities and see how they work first hand. Classrooms across the district were able to apply for the tour, choose their top three destinations, and visit with the employees of the facilities to learn all about what they do.
From the City Clerk’s, Brantford City Council, and Grand Erie offices, to the Parks and Recreation Community Centre, Sewer Treatment Plants, the Mohawk Street Landfill. The purpose of the “What Makes Our Community Work!” event is to provide an opportunity for students to learn what it takes to make a “community” function. Students are being given the opportunity to visit facilities not always open to the public, learn from on-site staff and get a first hand look at the type of occupations that exist throughout a wide variety of industries.
The tours allow the students to step outside of the classroom setting and bring their education into the real world. They are able to see the types of jobs that exist in their city, and broaden their horizons for their own career aspirations.
"It gives them a deeper understanding of the inner-workings of their city, and the chance to speak with the hard working men and women behind the scenes of the City of Brantford," said Katie Hashimoto, Supervisor of Energy and Environmental Conservation, who helped coordinate the tours at the Board office.
These tours were held on Wednesday, April 28, 2016, and were hosted by the City of Brantford in partnership with the Grand Erie District School Board and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.