Mentoring Plus will pair young adults with retirees to explore career paths

It has been noted Nova Scotia has a large retired population.

The findings have shown that many retirees want to be meaningfully engaged in their community. On the other side, we have teenagers and young adults who have been unsuccessful in making the transition into a career.

There are many reasons for this, including the impact of how technology is changing the way we work, how secure are the new opportunities that are arising, and the impact of the global economy, to mention a few. These issues are having an impact on choosing a career path for many young adults.

To address this challenge, the two groups are being brought together to leverage the knowledge of the retirees, to help the young adult population achieve this. This is being done through a program called Mentoring Plus.

Mentoring Plus draws upon the skills and knowledge of retirees to help support young adults aged 16 and older to explore and connect to career paths related to the Future of Work, by Implementing Team Mentoring Initiatives.

There will be free orientation sessions held in Kentville. For retirees, the session will be Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lions Hall in Kentville, which is located at 78 River St. For agencies, organizations and schools that serve youth 15 plus and young adults, the session will be Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kentville Fire Hall at 463 Main St.

Both sessions will have lunch provided. To register please e-mail Angie McWaid via amcwaid@kentvillepolice.ca by Oct. 9.

The sessions are being held in partnership with the College of Continuing Education at Dalhousie University, Kentville Police Service and the New Horizons for Seniors program.

Contact Gordon Michael at gordon. michael@dal.ca or 902-580-4588 for additional information.