Government supports Shad Valley youth enrichment program

FREDERICTON, NB and WATERLOO, ON - Funding of $200,000 to support the development of New Brunswick high school students, who have been identified as top performers, innovative thinkers, and future leaders, was announced today by Education Minister Kelly Lamrock.

The five-year funding commitment is being made to Shad Valley International. The Waterloo, Ontario based organization offers summer enrichment programs to students currently completing grade 10, 11 or 12. The four week program helps students develop an entrepreneurial mindset; encourages them to consider fields of study that will increase Canada's innovation capacity; and motivates them to take advantage of their advantage.

"Through our education plan, When kids come first, New Brunswick is focused on the importance of promoting enrichment opportunities to its students, to help them develop a passion for learning and to ensure they are equipped to fully-deliver on their talents and capabilities," Lamrock said. "Shad Valley is a place where some of our young future leaders can recognize, harness and strengthen their talents, and providing this opportunity is vital to the future of innovation in the province."

Since 1985, the relationship between New Brunswick and Shad Valley has provided hundreds of Anglophone and Francophone students with the opportunity to benefit from the enrichment program.

This year, approximately 40 students will participate in the Shad Valley program during the month of July at one of 12 host universities across Canada. Students then have the opportunity for a hands-on work experience through student internships during the month of August.

"Achieving self-sufficiency for New Brunswick means that all people have the opportunity to be exemplary workers, leaders and citizens," said Lamrock.

"The leaders of tomorrow will not only be innovators from a local standpoint, but also from a global standpoint."

For the five-year period of the funding investment, the Department of Education together with the school districts has committed to providing a minimum of 10 internships each summer, with a number of others hosted at top companies throughout the province.

Over the past three years, up to 40 per cent of New Brunswick Shad Valley participants have been introduced to the workplace, obtaining valuable training and skills.

"To prepare students for the national and multi-national business arena, they must be able to communicate their ideas in the expanding world market," the minister said. "The Shad Valley program has a track record of developing the entrepreneurial skills and unleashing the passion of top students to make a difference in their careers."

New Brunswick has established itself as being competitive from a national perspective in terms of its vision and foresight in planning for the future by investing in and mentoring its youth. In terms of identifying Shad Valley participants, New Brunswick is in the top third of the country and the top 25 per cent for number of internship placements.

"This five year plan solidifies New Brunswick's commitment to providing leadership and innovation opportunities for students," said Barry Bisson, President of Shad Valley International. "As well, it raises other provinces' awareness and encourages them to provide their youth with the same competitive advantage that New Brunswick students have: the chance to be part of a life-directing, life-changing experience and to take their places as the leaders of tomorrow."

Shad Valley International is a not-for-profit registered charity. The award-winning Shad Valley program was launched in 1981, and is hosted at 12 leading Canadian universities each summer. Over 600 high-potential students benefit from the Shad Valley experience each summer and Shad currently boasts a network of over 10,000 Shad Valley alumni, including 18 Rhodes Scholars, and countless award winning business and academic leaders.