Grade 9 student Tim Boonstra from Southern Okanagan Secondary School works on a power raker at Westminster Equipment Rentals as part of “Take Our Kids to School” day. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
Tim Boonstra is only 14, but he’s got a career dream that goes “Vrrooom!”
The Grade 9 student from SOSS wants to be a motorcycle mechanic, and last week he got a taste of what it’s like to work in a structured environment.
Boonstra, like other Grade 9s, took part in “Take Our Kids to Work” day in Oliver. That’s when he learned about holding down a job and putting in an honest day’s work at Westminster Equipment Rentals, under the watchful eye of manager Sylvain Gagnon.
Boonstra said he chose Westminster because he likes working with small engines. So Gagnon put him to work winterizing some power rakers.
The young man diligently checked the spark plugs and drained the fuel and oil, noting that leaving gas in the engine over the winter could clog up system and cause problems.
“We’re making sure everything runs (good) for next year,” he said.
Gagnon stated the career education program (coordinated by Rod Kitt) offers students a good opportunity to explore jobs in their field of interest. It can also save students a lot of money by not falling into a career that they may not be suited to.
Gagnon said he participated in a similar work experience program in high school and studied to be a chef. But he subsequently discovered that mechanics was his real passion.
Gagnon said it appears Boonstra has a passion for the same career.
“He likes to tinker and is not afraid to get his hands dirty.”
Boonstra said his desire came after making a go-kart two or three years ago.
“It was getting all the parts together and looking at what I made and being able to say that I made that.”
Last summer he bought a dirt bike that wasn’t running properly; he figured out the problem was the carburetor. With the help of his grandfather, he installed a new one and got it running again.
Boonstra said he realizes that to bring his dream alive he has to work hard and finish Grade 12.
Over at TRU Building Centre, Bernie Michaud brought his son Brandon to work, and his classmate, Jake Pylatuk.
The boys spent the morning moving stock and sorting nails and screws.
Pylatuk said working at TRU showed him what it’s like to function in a real business environment.
“I learned how to sort things and get familiar with the tools (they sell).”
He also admitted that it taught him some work discipline.
Brandon said he liked the hands-on experience. Perhaps TRU will be his first job, he said, but he might consider being a welder because he likes welding metal.
Pylatuk said he wants to be a mechanic because he likes the idea of working on cars.
He has a bank account that he hopes to expand in order to buy his own set of wheels.
By Lyonel Doherty
