Last month, we launched our newsletter, TEPFnews! Read the first edition below, or open the newsletter in a new tab by clicking the link here.
Any feedback or content suggestions? Send them to social@tepf.ca!
Message from President & CEO, Barb Simic
I am so excited to bring the first edition of TEPFnews to you! As The Educational Partnership Foundation (TEPF) continues to grow, it is important to stay connected and share recent happenings with stakeholders who care most about our programs and who we serve.
June signals that we’re now halfway through 2022 and we have been busy. The TEPF team has grown by three people, a 200% increase, in the last ten months! We have welcomed Pina Lamb (Enhancement Coordinator, Literacy Programs), Shelley Forbes (Manager, Events + Programs), and Ria Viray (Manager, Communications + Marketing).
Amid staff changes, we continue to successfully deliver our Reading… Give it a Shot (RGIS), Books for Kids (BFK), and Trades Careers (TC) programs to youth across the province. For those who weren’t able to attend our AGM in March, I invite you to check out our Annual Report here. We were able to hit some incredible milestones last year and soon, we’ll be sharing the impact we made in the 2021-2022 school year.
Looking ahead to the summer, we’ll be hosting the 21st Anniversary of our Legends for Learners charity golf tournament on August 8th where I hope to see many of you. This tournament is a critical fundraiser that helps deliver and sustain TEPF programs.
Please enjoy this first edition of TEPFnews. Read on for other exciting updates on our programs, upcoming charity golf tournament and more!
WEBSITE LAUNCH:
In case you haven’t noticed – we launched our new website last month! We were working on this project for several months and we are excited to finally be able to share it with you. The main objective of this project was creating a user-friendly site that incorporated more of our new branding. If you haven’t had the chance yet, we invite you to click around and check our site out!
TRADES CAREERS CLOSING CEREMONIES:
Throughout the months of May and June we have hosted Completion Ceremonies for students in our Trades Careers program throughout Calgary. We have celebrated those who completed introductory courses in iron working, pipe trades, electrical, mechanical insulation and culinary. A huge thank you to our program partners for helping bring these courses to life for high school youth looking to pursue an education and career in skilled trades!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS + STAFF RETREAT:
Last month, the TEPF team along with our Board of Directors met for a weekend in Canmore for our first offsite retreat in over two years. Together, we revisited our mission and vision and began to map out strategic goals for the organization. Thank you to our amazing Board of Directors who all generously volunteered their time and energy into helping make TEPF better!
We are thrilled to profile one of our amazing trainers that help make our Trades Careers program possible. Meet Scott – Ironworkers Apprenticeship Coordinator and Lead Training Instructor! Having been involved with the program since 2018, Scott is a Red Seal Ironworker Generalist with Blue Seal endorsement. We asked Scott a few questions about our program and what keeps him busy outside of work.
What is your favourite aspect of the TC program?
Watching participants push past their fears and challenge themselves physically and mentally to learn more about the trades.
Do you have a memorable moment or student story from your time
with the program that you’d like to share?
We have been fortunate to see some of our past students transition from the program directly into an apprenticeship and a promising career in the trades. Some of our previous students have become apprentice Reinforcing Ironworkers, Pipefitters, Electricians and Millwrights.
It has been a great experience to see these former students come back as trade workers embarking on their new careers.
What advice would you give to a student interested in the program,
but are too scared or not sure if they should sign up?
The material presented in the program allows students the opportunity to experience real world tasks performed by tradesman and women all over the world. The program allows students to experience the daily tasks in a safe supportive environment.
What are some of your favourite things to do outside of work?
My favorite hobby outside of work is participating in my local minor Hockey association.
I have spent the past 12 years as a volunteer director of the Stony Plain Minor Hockey association and the Parkland Athletic Club (Spruce Grove). When I am not spending time volunteering with these organizations, I am watching my son play Junior hockey as a member of the Florida Eels Premier league hockey team.
TEPF IN THE NEWS:
Daily Hive: Culinary Trades Exploratory Program
CTV News: TEPF X Teatro – May 26, 2022 (coverage starts at 24:19)
- Trades Careers Pilot Program in Okotoks
In partnership with the Pipe Trades Industry Training School, Foothills School Division, and Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools, we are bringing the Trades Careers program to their students in July! The program will give participants introductory knowledge and skills in a variety of pipe trades, exploring occupations such as plumber, steamfitter, gasfitter, and sprinkler systems installer. Stay tuned for more details.
- Legends for Learners – August 8, 2022
We are thrilled to share that the 21st Anniversary of our Legends for Learners golf tournament is sold out! Missed your shot to attend? There are still a number ways to get involved, like supporting through sponsorship or an auction item! Visit our website to learn more.
- Reading… Give it a Shot! (RGIS) Cards
This fall, we are launching an exciting addition of RGIS cards: dinosaurs! Generously sponsored by Johnson Insurance, mark your calendars for September when you can order these literacy incentive tools for your kiddos off our website.
