November 15, 2008
High school students test skills at LO
The LO site in Milton played host to two Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT) evaluations in October.
Oct. 9 was re-test day, when candidates who missed stations could come back and retake them. A total of 45 industry professionals took advantage of the opportunity to upgrade their skill sets towards attaining their CHT designations.
The following day, 35 students from four high schools visited the LO site to challenge some of the CHT evaluation stations. The students are all registered in the Secondary High Skills Major (SHSM) horticulture program, and are required to pass three CHT stations to receive their SHSM certificates and Secondary School diplomas.
Wendy Peters, head of Technological Studies at White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville, says the 15 students she brought gained valuable experience from their first test day. “They not only gained the experience of challenging some areas within CHT, but they also gained further knowledge of industry standards and operations (including the skid steer demonstration). The students interacted well with each other and gained self-confidence through this experience.”
Sally Harvey, LO’s manager of education and labour development, explained that it was the first secondary school group to challenge the test in Canada. She told the students they were SHSM pioneers for the landscape industry. “Our team was impressed with the calibre of the students, both during the test times and while on the property. The conduct and behaviour of the students was fantastic and very much appreciated.”
Students came from White Oaks S.S., Oakville; Coburg District Collegiate Institute East, Coburg; Thomas A. Stewart S.S., Peterborough and Notre Dame Catholic S.S., Burlington.
Landscape Ontario extends a big thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors and suppliers who supported the two test days. Without your help, this valuable industry certification wouldn’t be possible.
Caption: Working towards certification.
Oct. 9 was re-test day, when candidates who missed stations could come back and retake them. A total of 45 industry professionals took advantage of the opportunity to upgrade their skill sets towards attaining their CHT designations.
The following day, 35 students from four high schools visited the LO site to challenge some of the CHT evaluation stations. The students are all registered in the Secondary High Skills Major (SHSM) horticulture program, and are required to pass three CHT stations to receive their SHSM certificates and Secondary School diplomas.
Wendy Peters, head of Technological Studies at White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville, says the 15 students she brought gained valuable experience from their first test day. “They not only gained the experience of challenging some areas within CHT, but they also gained further knowledge of industry standards and operations (including the skid steer demonstration). The students interacted well with each other and gained self-confidence through this experience.”
Sally Harvey, LO’s manager of education and labour development, explained that it was the first secondary school group to challenge the test in Canada. She told the students they were SHSM pioneers for the landscape industry. “Our team was impressed with the calibre of the students, both during the test times and while on the property. The conduct and behaviour of the students was fantastic and very much appreciated.”
Students came from White Oaks S.S., Oakville; Coburg District Collegiate Institute East, Coburg; Thomas A. Stewart S.S., Peterborough and Notre Dame Catholic S.S., Burlington.
Landscape Ontario extends a big thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors and suppliers who supported the two test days. Without your help, this valuable industry certification wouldn’t be possible.
Caption: Working towards certification.