• There was a point in the process where we were saying we don't know why they are doing what they want us to be doing.
• Nothing went wrong that they didn't predict would go wrong. "They felt they were performing a service and were not to be engaged as much as if they were part of the planning team as consultants."
• They needed to be asked earlier to help with the design of the tools and the process.
• Need a more consultative approach.
• Issue of passing confidential information back to lay people without being able to put it in context.

Academic Instructors

Overview

• Overall, I think the program is going well.
• Really enjoyed it overall.
• A learning experience.
• Once we got into it and I figured out my roles and expectations it started to go great. This is a great program and there are people in our communities that are lost – they don't want to upgrade and go on and do a trade. With the economy the way it is, most of them are involved in the fishery. This program gave them at least a chance to get out of the lifestyle they found themselves in since the fishery closed. They could focus on a job they could depend upon every year.
• You'd be surprised at the things that they tell you. They were excited about the possibility of getting out of the dependency and the uncertainty. Their was a real reward to helping them achieve their goal.
• Challenge in that she didn't know much about the forestry industry. There is a certain amount of knowledge you need to have to develop the curriculum for this type of project.
• Frustrating times: a lot of long hours at night to learn about the industry.
• There are too many people involved in this project. HRDC, ACOA, HRE, RNDA, Employment Partner, ITRD,
• The inflexibility and inconsistency of funding is a real issue.
• The program is really good. Great. The premise seems fine. At least the money spent on the students won't be wasted instead of a make work project.
• Her background in ABE has been very helpful to her for materials and experiences.
• She wishes she could spend more time in the work site. She doesn't have the opportunity to spend more time in the greenhouse. If she had had three weeks in the work site, then she could have had a better chance to tailor the teaching to the work site.
• Would have liked more time at the beginning to get familiar with the program.
• No preparation time. Not one free hour for prep. He started face and eyes into it. He stays the extra time, but he begrudges the lack of prep time.
• I think they all enjoyed it. At the end most of them were really glad they had did the program and had a great sense of accomplishment from doing it.
• One participant got all kinds of gifts and cards from her family. Really a big deal. They all got graduation cards from their families.
• We had a few rocky patches along the way, but we worked it out through the end.
• The next time around it will be a whole lot better – there is a steep learning curve.