Headway in Hearst: retention efforts drawing youth home.

• Author: Kelly, Lindsay
• Position: TIMMINS

Four years after returning to Hearst to combat youth outmigration, Sylvie Fontaine said there are signs that the community's youth attraction and retention strategy is working.

Dec. 28 marked the fourth edition of Destination Hearst, an annual networking event held at the Inovo Centre that invites youth who are originally from Hearst to rub elbows with employers who are seeking employees to fill job vacancies.

The initiative focuses on the construction, forestry, health and education sectors, said Fontaine, director general at the Hearst Economic Development Corp. (EDC).

This year, 10 businesses were represented at the event, while 17 youth attended. That was fewer than in previous years, but a number with which Fontaine was pleased.

"It all depends what types of jobs are available," she said. "If you're studying biology and there are no jobs in biology, well, you're not going to come to the event, because it's no use coming, because there are no jobs for you there."

According to the 2011 census, Hearst's population has declined by 9.6 per cent in recent years, 6 per cent of which is comprised of youth aged 15 to 34. But Fontaine is starting to see a turnaround, and youth are returning to their roots.

"I think it's the way of life that they miss about Hearst," Fontaine said. "Some were in a bigger city, and they like to go into the bush, and they like to hunt, and they like snowmobiling, so they can't practise that there, so some of them do some back for that."

For others, it's the desire to be close to family, while still others are presented with a job opportunity that brings them home. But there still aren't enough jobs for everyone, and the EDC is well aware of how important it is to retain those who do return.

That's why it's formed a Welcoming Committee for New Residents. The committee is...