Press release
The business community heads to the classroom with great success
Montréal, May 5, 2009 The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has made a positive assessment of the 13th edition of Operation Back to School. Since March 30, over 250 business people who are deeply committed to the development of the next generation have visited close to 9,000 Secondary 3, 4, and 5 students. This annual activity aims to encourage young people to stay in school by having them meet with a variety of inspiring role models. Members of the Board of Trade and several partners have each, in their own way, imparted their understanding of the realities of the job market, their successes, and the challenges they have had to overcome.
The conclusions of Jacques Ménard's task force are of great concern to us. It is unacceptable for Quebec to rank 9th out of 10 Canadian provinces when it comes to obtaining a high school diploma. Each year, the dropout rate deprives Quebec of 28,000 skilled workers. This situation is all the more deplorable in that we are already experiencing a lack of qualified workers in many key sectors of our economy. Business people are truly concerned about this situation, and that is why they have taken up the challenge launched by the Board of Trade for 13 years now, explained the President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, Michel Leblanc.
We have received many comments from business people and teachers who appreciate these interactive sessions. These enriching and motivating exchanges provide young people with new tools to help them make career choices. They also allow business people to get a better understanding of youth and their reality. For my part, I was greatly impressed by the students' dynamism and curiosity towards the choices they are offered, added Michel Leblanc.
Through these meetings, young people come to understand that success requires work, perseverance, and determination. Another goal of Operation Back to School is to tell young people to move forward by exploring their passions, and that it is normal to be faced with certain obstacles, just as business leaders are, concluded Michel Leblanc.
Operation Back to School is made possible through a contribution from MR3 Montréal Relève. The Board of Trade also thanks Montréal Chartered Accountants for offering a study grant to one of the students visited as part of this activity.
Operation Back to School on the Web
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has some 7,000 members. Its primary mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.
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Source :
Sylvie Paquette
Coordinator, Media relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca