Niverville Mayor Advocates for Skilled Trades and Remembrance Day Engagement

At a council meeting on November 4, Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck highlighted recent opportunities to connect with influential figures in the province. His participation in the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce’s (MCC) innovation and prosperity event on October 31 provided him with a platform to discuss critical issues such as the demand for skilled trades workers.

The event featured notable speakers, including Premier Wab Kinew, Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research in Motion, and Mike Moroz, Minister of Innovation and New Technology. During the gathering, Dyck emphasized the importance of introducing vocational training at the high school level. “They’ve been talking about needing skilled trades workers,” Dyck explained. “But I believe it has to start at the high school level, so I would like to do some lobbying for that. Our students need to be exposed to this sooner than when they get to postsecondary.”

Dyck has initiated discussions with key stakeholders, including Paul Grosskopf, principal of Niverville High School, and Juliette Hagopian from Jette Studios, alongside Bev Stuart, vice-president of business development and community initiatives at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT). Their collaborative efforts focus on developing trades courses at the local high school, inspired by a successful model in the Pembina Trails School Division. This program, known as Pembina Trails Early College, allows students to gain training in technical fields such as software development, coding, networking, and cybersecurity.

“I believe there are opportunities here,” Dyck stated. “How do we get our young people to the jobs of today and take the courses of today?” He clarified that his aim is not to replicate the size or scope of Steinbach Regional Secondary School in Niverville but to explore the potential for distributing vocational instruction across schools within the division. This approach could enhance educational offerings while minimizing costs.

Additionally, Dyck envisions collaborating with local tradespeople to organize career symposiums at Niverville High School. He believes that fostering innovation is crucial for the community’s growth, stating, “When it comes to innovation, Niverville has had experience with what I call pilot projects, whether it was our wetlands or now with our mechanized wastewater facility.” He expressed a willingness to support any innovators interested in conducting pilot projects within Niverville, seeing this as a way to further engage with the community’s resources.

“I’m an ideas guy,” Dyck remarked. “I need someone to catch the vision and then see what we can do to build it.”

Remembrance Day Service Encouraged by Mayor Dyck

The council meeting also provided an opportunity for Dyck to encourage residents to attend this year’s Remembrance Day service, which will take place at the CRRC on November 11 at 10:00 a.m. The program will include a live interview with Scott Stroh, a Niverville resident and retired master sailor. Dyck noted the community’s longstanding pride in its annual Remembrance Day observances, which have been driven by a dedicated group of local volunteers.

For Dyck, Remembrance Day is a significant occasion for reflection. He shared how his upbringing, influenced by parents and uncles who experienced the Second World War, shaped his understanding of the day’s importance. His mother recounted stories of food rationing and shortages, as well as the experience of viewing war reels in classrooms to instill national pride among youth.

“Our kids and youth today, they hear the stories but they don’t know the stories,” Dyck emphasized. “We have to continue to tell the stories of why the country we have is the country we have. It’s because of the price that’s been paid.”

As Niverville prepares for its Remembrance Day service, Dyck’s reflections serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations and the importance of passing on those stories to ensure they are not forgotten.