Kingbridge and KCSS open a bridge between school and workplace
By Bill Rea
The people who run The Kingbridge Centre near King City look at the facility as a place of learning.

Kingbridge General Manager Lisa Gilbert and KCSS Vice-Principal Frank Hood formally signed the partnership agreement between the two facilities last Wednesday.

So the agreement to become "Partners in Education" with King City Secondary School, which was officially signed last Wednesday, makes a great deal of sense.

Jennifer Catania, director of human resources at Kingbridge, commented such a relationship between the two facilities has been going on for some 18 years, before it was even known as Kingbridge. And she said they were very excited that this partnership has now been formalized.

Over the years, the relationship has allowed students at the school learn to become chefs, as well as conference or guest service agents. It's been seen as win-win situation, with the school seeing its students obtain on-the-job training in various fields, and Kingbridge getting access to a group of enthused and accessible young workers.

Mayor Margaret Black said she understood the importance of students receiving on-the-job training, recalling what she learned articling while studying law.

Catania stressed this helps develop the next generation of workers, and reflects Kingbridge's priority to life-long learning.

Kingbridge General Manager Lisa Gilbert confirmed they regard the facility as a learning environment, making it a good mix.

Bill Hogarth, director of education for the York Region District School Board, said the results are what they want to have happen for the students.

He cited the example of student Adam Algvire, who actually helped prepare the food that was served at the reception after the ceremony. He said Adam likes his placement and looks forward to his time at Kingbridge. His enthusiasm makes a difference for others. Hogarth added employers look for workers who are enthused.

"All students do not learn the same way, but all students learn equally," Hogarth observed, adding finding the best way to do it is exactly the way a partnership should work. "We know that it makes a tremendous difference for all our students because we learn from the whole experience."

KCSS student Adam Algvire was serving some of the food he also prepared.

Mayor Margaret Black was also enthused with the relationship. "It's an excellent place to have students," she declared.

She also likened it to her own experiences as a law student, when she had to article, remembering that's "when you realize you know absolutely nothing."

The experience taught her how to do her job, she said.

"It taught social skills and how to get along with people," she remarked.

King City Vice-Principal Frank Hood pointed out it's been said it takes a village to raise a child, and this relationship is another example of that.

"It builds them," he said, "their confidence, their skills."