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SfCeNews
- Volume III. Issue
012. December 23, 2002
Skills for Change (SfC) is a
non-profit agency based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Our
mandate is to provide learning and training opportunities for
immigrants and refugees so that they can participate in the
workplace and wider community.
- In this
edition...
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- Start the New Year right
Success@SkillsforChange
Program and Services Update
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- Professional
development and networking right at your desk
Two new opportunities with ONIP.online
 The
Ontario Network for Internationally-trained Professionals
Online (ONIP.online) is a new web-based project which
provides Sector-specific Employment Services Online across
Ontario. Our Web site will offer networking opportunities for
internationally-trained professionals and service providers,
an online mentoring program, as well as sector-specific
information on job-search, licensing and certification,
alternative employment options, skills and competencies and
professional terminology.
We are inviting you to join our mailing list for service
providers, and our group of online writers and facilitators.
Serving Internationally-trained Professionals? Join our
mailing list now
ONIP.online is starting a mailing list for practitioners
serving internationally-trained professionals. The list will
discuss licensing, alternative employment, gaining Canadian
experience through mentoring and volunteer work, and other
issues of common interest to the group. You will get
information, and expert advice delivered right to your e-mail.
And you will have a forum for exchange of ideas and experience
with colleagues from all over Ontario.
To subscribe for the list, write to Elga Nikolova
(nikolova@skillsforchange.org)
Looking for a new professional challenge? Become an online
writer or moderator with ONIP.online
If you have experience providing employment services, and you
are looking for a new professional challenge – join the group
of volunteer writers and online moderators at ONIP.online. As
a writer you will prepare online content related to career
development, employment and licensing issues of
internationally-trained professionals. As a moderator, you
will manage automated mailing lists and discussion boards for
practitioners and internationally-trained professionals and
will steer online discussions around employment issues.
To get more information, or to join the team, write to Elga
Nikolova
(nikolova@skillsforchange.org)
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Graduations at SfC
2nd Anniversary of EPRS
by Maria Garofalo, Employer Outreach Specialist, Clerical
Employment Services
 A
group of 18 students graduated from the Employment Preparation for
Retail Services (EPRS) program on Friday, December 20. This was
the 6th graduation, and the second anniversary of the program,
since its inception in November 2000.
The 15-week long program consists of class instruction on customer
service principles, a job search workshop and a 6-week work
experience placement at either the Bay Sherway Gardens, Bay
Yorkdale, Bay Scarborough, Bay Fairview or Bay Yorkdale. On hand
were guests from the Toronto Catholic District School Board, the
Hudson Bay Company, Skills for Change Staff and friends of the
graduates.
 Graduate,
Jenny Wang captured the essence of the EPRS Program by
highlighting her experiences at the Bay Sherway in the Electronics
department. Jenny shared with the audience her struggles as a
newcomer to Canada, the challenges of learning a new language and
access to valuable Canadian work experience. She was grateful to
the EPRS program for teaching her the essentials of customer
service, strategies that she was able to apply in her everyday
interaction with customers. She also spoke of the confidence that
she developed especially in the areas of resume writing and
interview techniques.
Through her stellar work performance, Jenny was offered employment
at Bay Sherway, where she is currently working full time as a
Sales Associate in the Electronics Department.
The Next Employment Preparation for Retail Services program will
commence on January 6th, 2003.
Pot-Luck Luncheon
by Rose Smith, LINC
Instructor
LINC classes held
a year-end graduation and holiday party December 19. Over 50
attended the pot-luck luncheon, bringing with them ethnic dishes
and delights. After the graduation ceremony, certificates
were handed out, speeches made, photographs taken, and a luncheon held.
Accompanying the festivities, several students played Christmas
songs on a digital piano donated for the occasion by the LINC
coordinator. Furthering the holiday spirit, LINC instructors were
able to secure several gifts and prizes that were given away to
students in a draw-your-name game. Over 20 students won gifts
ranging from chocolate ornaments, t-shirts, Canadian Geography
game sets, and the main prize which was a large basket filled with
an assortment of chocolate, tea, and cookies.
The students left the party in a true holiday mood. This was a
very successful graduation and holiday celebration to end the
current year!
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- Success@SkillsforChange
Sabra Ali, a graduate of our Employment Assistance Service
(EAS)
program, writes:
 "As a
newcomer to Canada with no Canadian experience I decided to
volunteer with Skills for Change at their reception desk. I
have learnt many new things. The constant interaction I have
with clients and students has enhanced many of my skills. My
confidence has increased so much. This has provided me with
valuable experience and a tremendous opportunity to contribute
my skills and become comfortable in a busy work environment.
There is always something or the other happening all the time.
I really enjoy working with IAT and look forward to continuing
our relationship."
Intake, Assessment and Training (IAT) is a core service of
SfC and provides clients with information related to SfC
programs and services through weekly orientation sessions,
language proficiency assessments through individual interviews
and internal/external referrals based on clients’ settlement,
educational and employment goals. IAT provided 2,975
individual assessments in 2001-2002. IAT also organizes and
delivers monthly information sessions for the Internationally
Trained Accountants, Engineers, Health Care, Teachers and
Tradespeople, and provides information and referrals to the
public through our information line and website. Almost 600
attended the monthly information sessions.
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Programs and Services
Updates
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STIC coordinator, Roland Rhooms conducted a presentation geared
towards internationally-trained Engineers at Brampton
Neighbourhood Services.
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Ten of 14 Finance and Office
Assistant Program (FOAP) graduates
who completed the program in August, are currently working. Two
clients of the current group have already found employment. The rest are on placement.
This group will graduate in January 2003.
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Skills for Change celebrated the Holiday Season with a dinner and
dance at the Columbus Centre. Staff, friends and family danced
their way to evening filled with fun and laughter. The event also
acknowledged the 20th Anniversary of Skills for Change.
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Staff Changes...
n
 Peggy
Edwards, Executive Director, writes:
"It is my pleasure to announce that Roland Rhooms (currently
STIC Program Coordinator) will assume the functions of
Programs and Services Manager within the agency.
Roland comes to the role with a sound understanding and strong
commitment to the agency's mission, as well as an awareness of the
challenges and issues faced in carrying out our work and meeting
the needs of our clients. I know that he will be a good ambassador
for Skills for Change in the service sector and outside community."
Before joining SfC, Roland worked extensively with Toronto Social
Services and the Centre for Education and Training. In 1998, he
was a founding facilitator/counsellor with the STIC program.
In 2001, he assumed the responsibilities of STIC Program
Coordinator.
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n
 Corina Carvallo joins SfC as Assistant to the
Executive Director. Corina joins us with more than 10 years
experience as an assistant to senior managers. Past work
experience has included employment within the health sector,
including the Ontario Medical Association.
Skills for Change will
also benefit from Corina's training and experience in human
resources, finance and payroll.
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Rahim Mohammad, leaves as Job Developer for EAS. We wish him
success in his future endeavours.
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Acronym Soup
Confused? Don't be. Here's a list
of our agency acronyms, what they mean and (where applicable) a
link to the program web page.
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CES - Clerical Employment Services
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EAS - Employment Assistance Services
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EPRS - Employment for Retail Services
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ERC - Employment Resource Centre
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FOAP - Finance & Office Assistant Program
- IAT - Intake, Assessment and
Training
- JSC - Job Search Centre
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JSW - Job Search Workshop
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LINC - Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
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NPA - New Pioneers Awards
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STIC - Sector Terminology Information & Counselling
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Comments
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we would like to hear from you.
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Skills for Change
791 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6C 1B8
A
United Way member agency
Skills for Change is a
registered non-profit organization
Charitable registration #121471858RR0001
Telephone 416 658-3101 · Fax 416 658-6292
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