The Piney Chamber of Commerce is planting seeds in the minds of young people in the hope that they will consider careers in the municipality. The chamber held its first-ever career symposium last week at Ross L. Gray school in Sprague. Chamber President Jonathon Prevost says it's important that young people know about the opportunities that are available to them close to home.

"We felt as a chamber that there was a little bit of a disconnect with the kids. We want them to go and get their post-secondary schooling but we want them to remember that there's something to come back to. That was the big idea behind this for us as a chamber. There are students who are not going to go and get post-secondary and they also need to know what's available to them. And then also summer jobs for students who are in university and things like that. There are a number of companies in the area that provide good work."

Prevost says there seems to be a mindset among youth in many rural areas that they have to go elsewhere to pursue their dreams.

"You see so many people moving to the urban centres. It's convenience, it's all that stuff and it's probably easier. It's a challenge for any rural area or rural community and we just thought that this (the career seminar) was one way to engage the youth a little bit more."

Prevost says there all kinds of job opportunities in areas like business, horticulture, forestry and health care. For example, he notes a decision by the peat moss company Sun Gro Horticulture to set up a processing plant in Vassar has resulted in a number of good jobs.

"It has been noticeable by the student numbers in the school. We've had a number of young families move into the area and the class sizes are getting bigger. It's a small school so it's noticeable."

Prevost says the symposium was a big success and both the school and exhibitors want to grow the event next year.