This time of year, we come together to celebrate the many young men and women who have achieved so much academically, artistically, through athletics and the many other accomplishments we recognize.
Whether it’s school administrators and teachers or family and friends — the support that we have in our community of Williams Lake is so special. That is one of the great things about living here, is the feeling of community: the parents and community members that have been able to watch the many graduates grow up and have supported these young individuals get to the next chapter in their life.
Many around graduation are especially asked, “What are you going to do when you are finished school?” For some, this can be a frustrating question, but that is the beauty of living in a province that is full of so many opportunities and resources to make that choice easier. Some of our young people will go on to university, and most will raise their own families. Some will take up a trade and some have that entrepreneurial spirit that the pioneers of our land was founded on and may even start their own business.
The possibilities really are endless for what lays in the future ahead, however, all British Columbians deserve the opportunity to access education and skills training.
To meet our province’s future demand for skilled workers, we need to maximize the potential of the young people about to enter the workforce and ensure we have sufficient skilled trades people to meet B.C.’s labour market demands is critical to keeping our economy diverse, strong and growing.
May each of those taking this next chapter in life look at graduating as a building block — a stepping stone — toward a long, happy and prosperous life.
I have no doubt that each and every one of the graduates in Cariboo Chilcotin will seize the many resources and opportunities of what our province has to offer. I’d like to wish all those in SD 27 the best of luck in their future endeavors and extend a warm congratulations to class of 2015! You did it!
Donna Barnett is the Liberal MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin.
