Take Our Kids to Work Day offers Ottawa teens a glimpse into future careers

Grade 9 students across Ottawa had the chance to experience life in the workforce today. CTV’s Dave Charbonneau has the story.

Take Our Kids to Work Day brought Grade 9 students into workplaces across Ottawa on Wednesday, giving them a first-hand look at what their parents do for a living.

At the Ottawa Fire Services training facility, students stepped into a very different world.

“I believe this is our 10th year. So, we’ve got lots going on today for the kids,” said assistant division chief Jimmy D. Fata.

Students there said seeing the real-life work of first responders is something they’ll never forget.

“I always hear the stories he tells me, but I never really get to experience what he actually does for a living. It’s just something completely different that I never could have imagined,” said Grade 9 student Rylan Luker.

“Yeah, it gives him a chance to see what we do and get their hands on some of the tools we get to use at work and all that kind of stuff,” said firefighter Bryce Luker.

And with so much to see and do, students say the variety is what makes the day special.

“I like the variety of different things that you do. I like how they show all the different things like that. It just makes it really interesting,” said Grade 9 student Gabby Bellinger.

At City Hall, students learned more than they expected.

“I like the historical stuff. I think that’s really cool,” said student Corbin Fisher.

“It’s a very good experience for us to see what the different services and stuff they offer,” said Grade 9 student Avery O’Connel.

The experience was also about connecting what they hear at home with what they see in person.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to show students what’s going on at City Hall and the impact of the decisions that we make in the work that their parents do has on our community,” said Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

Some students spent the day at Bell Media Ottawa, getting a look behind the scenes of local TV news and radio.

“It’s a cool place. It’s very nice. It’s good to know, like what goes on behind the scenes, like the news and the podcast you do,” said Grade 9 student Aidan Hull.

“You get to miss school, and you get to see behind the scenes and what’s happening here. Yeah, this place is pretty cool,” said Grade 9 student RJ Daly.

Tristan Force spent the day with his dad Kevin, CTV’s resident I.T. wizard.

“He’s pretty good with computers... So, I think it’s pretty cool,” said Force.

Take Our Kids to Work Day continues to give students a closer look at what their parents do every day, and the possibilities of a future career.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App