LOREBURN — It isn’t every day that youth in this province want to take a closer look and gain a deeper understanding of how the political arena works, but one young Loreburn student got to experience just that in Regina.
Vincent Yakimoski, a Grade 11 student at Loreburn Central School, recently wrapped up his time spent at a Career Work Experience (CWEX) job placement with three local members of the Legislative Assembly, or MLAs.
Coming back to school last fall, Vincent had a different idea of what job placement interested him.
“Initially, I wanted to do my job placement in the agricultural field because that is where my family is from and I have a passion for it,” explained Vincent.
However, after taking some time to think about it, Yakimoski remembered a Loreburn graduate, Derek Griffin, who had completed a work placement with a local MLA a few years ago. Griffin’s work placement contributed to him starting a job with the provincial government, and today he is an executive assistant to Premier Scott Moe.
Vincent has always had a keen interest in politics, and he asked his CWEX teacher, Kristin Sampson, to try to secure him a placement with his local MLA.
The work placement turned out to be even bigger than Vincent requested. He was set up with three local MLAs: Barret Kropf, MLA for Dakota-Arm River, who represents the area around Loreburn as well as Davidson and Outlook; Kim Gartner, MLA for Kindersley-Biggar and currently the Minister of Highways; and Jim Reiter, MLA for Rosetown-Delisle and currently the Minister of Finance. Vincent had the opportunity to work in offices both at the Legislative Building in Regina and in local MLA offices in Davidson, Rosetown and Kindersley, as well as travel with them to several events in their constituencies.
As part of his work placement, Vincent observed legislative committees, learned about the kinds of work carried out in MLA constituency offices, participated in events and activities MLAs are invited to, and spoke to many political leaders, officials and community members about the work of government.
“I think it has really shown me what the government is doing in our province. It has shown me what actions they are taking and what process they have to do,” said Vincent.
Highlights of his experience included attending the throne speech that opens the Legislature each fall, being introduced to the Legislature by MLA Kropf, and meeting Premier Moe.
MLA Kropf and Minister Gartner both had high praise for Vincent.
“It was a pleasure to have Vincent join us here at the Legislature as well as in our constituency offices,” said Kropf. “I think he got a first-hand look at how government works. He was keen to learn, asked many questions, and showed that he has great potential to take up a career in government, if that is something he ultimately decides works for him.”
“We agreed to take on a work placement for Vincent because we felt it was a valuable way for him to learn about how government works and the role of elected officials, as this is an area he is considering for a career,” said Gartner. “We think that work placements like this one that give students hands-on experience are a great way to help students make the transition from school to their future careers.”
“The CWEX work placement has really shown me the real-life workplace,” said Vincent. “It is a really great way to understand what your work will be like in the future.”
For other students who may be interested in unique work placements, they are encouraged to speak with their school’s career development teacher.
