THE RESPONSIBILITY of educating the North Shore's future work force is one that should be shared by educators, parents and the com- munity, and the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce intends to do their part. “It's not just the schools’ job to educate and prepare stu- denis,” said Adrian Parker, chairperson of the chamber's education committee. That education process must reach out beyond the classroom coors to ihe com- munity as a whole, she said. What is often missing in fo- day's youth is “a real work ethic,” added chamber man- ager Judi Ainsworth, who ex- plained that she sees some youths who don't even know how fo present themselves for a Job interview (some come in wearing cut-offs and a T-shirt). expectation tat they don't have to be responsible. The business community has often criticized wt ot is coming out of the schools, but in order for that criticism to be valid, businass has to be prepared to get invoived with the students. Parker said that business has abdicated the responsibility for training young peopte for the business world and have in- stead expected a “ready made” worker. “Business can't just leave if fo the educators,” added Ainsworth, “we're the ones hiring the end product.” She also said that Canadian business fags behind other na- fions in the amount of skills train- ing and upgrading provided by employers. . Part of the problem, she said, is the fact that many of them have had most things done for them and so have gained an "NEWS photo Paut McGra ADRIAN PARKER beileves that the business community has to take an active role in the education of our next generation. To that end Parker, who Is director of the North Vancouver Syivan Leaming Centre, chairs the Charaber of Commerce education commitiee. Wednesday, May 13, 1992 — North Shore News - 43 NEWS photo Paul McGrath PARENTS WHO work with thelr chiidren and fhe educators who feach them can have a positive effect on their child’s progress. Brian Pollitt (righ) is working with his son Travis and feacher Ann Knapman at the Syivan Learming Centre. Travis’ gtades have Improved noticeably since his father saw that he got the extra help he needed. Another factor working against the education system is the need for socialization — “educators are stuck socializing the kids before they can teach,” explained Parker. Some kids are falling through the cracks and dropping ou! of the system, because of a lack of community support for our educciors, she said. The chamber's education committee is striving to enhance education by pursuing cooper- ative initiatives between business, educators and the community. Their goal is to see graduates come away from high school with the basic skills riecessary to help them succeed in the job market: resource aliocation, in- terpersonal skills, information, ability to use complex systems and technology literacy. A We can help you put it all together... Our mission is to be Camada’s finest, most professional real estate services organization. SHARE IN ESS CAREER SUCCESS WITH PARK & TILFORD NORTH VANCOUVER SATNAM SIDHU Manager 988-2022 PARK ROYAL WEST VANCOUVER RON BAILEY Manager 925-1441 - MARINE DRIVE WEST VANCOUVER HEATHER GATES Manager 926-6011