Exploring opportunities became more than just educational last week, it was an exercise in inspiration for the throngs of people that attended the first-ever Explore the Trades in Muskoka event at Bracebridge Memorial Arena.

The event ran last Tuesday and gave its target audience of unemployed youth between the ages 15 and 30, those at risk, and the public an opportunity to discover careers in the trades, non-traditional occupations, information technology, hospitality and service industries.

With 53 booths, a diverse collection of employers were represented, and the event helped to provide a one-stop shop of employment and career opportunities.

Educators and students alike, from schools across Muskoka, benefited from the “one-stop shop,” said project co-ordinator Explore the Trades Louise Lowe, who thought the event gave people the opportunity to get direct access to programs and experts in various fields of work.

Gravenhurst High School principal Rick Sellon said usually when his school hosts guest speakers, they are limited to one or two at a time. However with this opportunity, the students were able to see an entire range of representatives for the various industries.

“I think it is a great opportunity for kids. For them to see everything in one place is a really good thing,” he said.

“What it does is opens their eyes and shows them that there are a whole bunch of vocations out there and that companies are working with kids,” Sellon said.

In the past there was a push for post-secondary education. It has lessened and that same push is being applied to the trades now, he added.

“For so many years education was a big part of it,” he said. “We kept saying you need to go to university, you need to go to college. Right now the trades and apprenticeships have opened up and the money is so good and the job opportunities are so good we’re recommending to more kids that you better get into trades.”

He added this local event is far closer and more convenient for his students than the ones hosted by colleges outside the area.

Town of Bracebridge Mayor Don Coates believes there is greater importance than just the central location that Bracebridge serves.

“More importantly, for many years we’re running a shortage of trades, not just in Bracebridge, but in Muskoka and elsewhere, so it’s very important our students and young people realize there are wonderful career opportunities in the trades, many of which you see here today,” he said.

He added the event was a great showcase of the alternate industries such as technology, trades and skilled workers in the job market.

The event was a result of a community-based partnership of local agencies such as the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce, Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, the Local Training Adjustment Board, Northern Lights Employment Resource Centre, Georgian College, Muskoka Builders’ Association, Home Depot, Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, Georgian College and the Town of Bracebridge.

Free transportation was provided with buses available in Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Parry Sound.