Hi Sam

I think the strategies are a great start and it will take all we have as a community to work together to get through these tough economic time but I am confident we will come through this even better and stronger.

Job Creation...

I believe we need to once again create “on the job training” there are some careers that could actually benefit from someone learning on the job, in Europe this is very popular they work at a reduced wage for a particular job i.e.; marketing, sales, IT, HR, administrative work etc. just to mention a few and then after a period of time (one year) with success they then are promoted to a permanent placement in that field/career. This works for those who either do not have time to go back to university or who also learn better in this type of placement also while exploring a new careering they are still earning a decent income to sustain their families during these times.

I believe this also gives individuals the opportunity to expand their knowledge and to then explore the opportunities within a new field and career. If the city could partner with specific businesses to incentivize this type of job creation it would not only benefit the employee but it will also benefit companies in this economic down turn.

There are some who did not get university degrees for whatever reasons but who have the skills, talent and intellect I think we could very well be missing. I believe that if we only look at those with advanced degrees we are missing a large sector of very willing and capable individuals. Sometimes it’s not about the education but about the passion for a job or a career that propels us forward. We need to look at not only education but we need to look at experience in the work place and life experiences as well.

This is a way to give many a chance to possibly get into a career they have only dreamed of.

My thought are with these families and with our community during these difficult times.

Shannon Thompson