SfCeNews Vol 05 No. 01 (January 2004)

Skills for Change

SfCeNews
January 30, 2004
Volume 5 Issue 01
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...

Book your tickets to the 2004 NPA Awards
SfC is hiring
Exciting New Initiative - Bridge to Success for Trades
Become a member of Skills for Change
SfC Graduate Network Seeks Volunteers
Outreach to Ethno Cultural Professional and Business Associations
TechSkills course calendar
Daytime, evening and Saturday courses now accepting applications
What's new at ONIP.online?
Success at SfC

Book your tickets to the
2004 New Pioneers Awards

Don't miss the inspiring New Pioneers Awards being held on March 25, 2004 at the Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto. Six outstanding new Canadians will be honoured for their contributions to Canada at a prestigious gala dinner event.

The evening starts at 6 p.m. with a reception followed by dinner and the Awards ceremony.

Consider donating a a product, service or gift certificate to our Silent Auction.
More information here.

Tickets $85 per person or a corporate table seating 10 at $1,200.

To book tickets, please call 416-658-3101 ext. 231.

Order tickets on-line
Visa or MasterCard

Mail or Fax ticket order form
Download order form in pdf or web version

New Pioneers Awards
Lead Sponsor

Award Sponsors

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Media Sponsors

Facilitator/Counsellor, Bridge to Success for Trades Program

Intake and Assessment Counsellor

Exciting New Initiative - Bridge to Success for Trades

Skills for Change, in partnership with the Electromechanical School Inc., is launching a bridging pilot project for Internationally Trained Industrial Electricians on February 9, 2004. There is great excitement about this new 12 week initiative funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

There is a known need for industry-specific services that support internationally-trained tradespeople in preparing themselves for certification and for successful integration into the labour market as journeypersons.

This pilot phase takes 20 Tradespeople through the development and testing of tools, materials and procedures as well as the employment preparation needed to connect with employers, union and trainers. This model will then be ready for training other trades, beginning with Millwrights in May 2004 and with Construction and Maintenance Electricians in August 2004.

Check out the Skills for Change website for our flyer, email us at trades@skillsforchange.org or call our information line at 416-658-7090 for our next orientation session. We now have a waiting list for Phase I – Industrial Electricians.

Show your support for newcomers to Canada by becoming a member of Skills for Change

Skills for Change has assisted more than 70,000 newcomers to Canada since 1983. Our training and employment preparation programs are made possible by government funding, the United Way of Greater Toronto, philanthropic foundations and corporate donations.

You can show your support for SfC and new Canadians by becoming a member. Individual membership is available for just $10 per year and corporate membership is $25. Besides showing support for Skills for Change, membership includes a free subscription to all newsletters, invitations to all special events, and discounts on agency promotional merchandise and other valuable benefits will be introduced later in the year.

To become a member, please download, print, and complete the membership form.

Please mail your completed application and cheque to Skills for Change, 791 St. Clair Avenue W., Toronto, ON. M6 David Hughes, SfC Business Development Manager at 416-658-3101, ext. 216 or by e-mail at hughes@skillsforchange.org.

SfC Graduate Network Seeks Volunteers

The Skills for Change Graduate Network is the agency’s alumni organization. A committee of SfC staff, graduates, and volunteers is being formed to develop, plan and implement programming to assist graduates after they complete programs at SfC, to develop fundraising events and create a network for newcomers to continue the relationships they formed at SfC.

An organizing meeting is planned for Tuesday, February 17th at 6:00 p.m. at Skills for Change. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact David Hughes, SfC Business Development Manager at 416-658-3101, ext. 216 or by e-mail at hughes@skillsforchange.org.

Outreach to Ethno Cultural Professional and Business Associations

Are you a member of one of Toronto’s many ethno cultural professional and business associations? Skills for Change would like to meet and address your members to describe the programs and services we have to offer newcomers. We can provide a speaker and presentation for your meetings and events as well as provide opportunities to work collaboratively. If you interested, please contact David Hughes, SfC Business Development Manager at 416-658-3101, ext. 216 or by e-mail at hughes@skillsforchange.org.

Check out what's new at

WWW.ONIP.CA – our first anniversary
The Web site of the Ontario Network for International Professionals Online (onip.online) appeared on the Web at thee end of January 2003. We are celebrating our first anniversary of providing innovative services and learning opportunities to internationally-trained professionals and to staff of community-based employment agencies.

What happened in the first year?

o Our traffic grew with an average of 20% per month and received 2,300 visits in January 2004

o Over 110 articles were published on the site

o We stated a mailing list, 5 sector-specific discussion groups for internationally-trained professionals, a regular program of monthly workshops, and an online mentoring program

o The discussion forums have attracted over 600 visits in 5 months

o In 10 months we delivered 21 online workshops featuring 9 presenters with 12 different topics. Over 130 people have participated in the workshops.

o Service providers from over 50 agencies in Ontario use our resources and refer clients to our services on a regular basis.

o 84.4% of those visiting our site find the information “very useful”, and 88.2% find the language “very easy to understand”

o The project has only one staff members, and over 40 volunteer researchers, writers, moderators, presenters, outreach specialists administrators, and advisors

New discussion boards for internationally-trained professionals
Two more discussion boards for Internationally-trained professionals were started on www.onip.ca:

o “Careers for IT Specialists” is moderated by Julia He. Julia is an IT professional herself, and has experience providing services to internationally-trained IT specialists. Currently, she works as an Information Officer in the Employment Resource Centre at MicroSkills, Toronto.

o The discussion board of the Association of Bulgarian Engineers in Canada (ABEC) is a breakthrough in a way: it is the first occasion in which another organization takes initiative to use the tools created by ONIP.online in order to support the network of its members. The Board is moderated by Pauline Lawrence, a Canadian engineer of Bulgarian origin, and a Chair of ABEC

Calendar of online events – February workshops
What do you need to participate in a virtual workshop?

· A computer
· Internet connection
· Some quiet, uninterrupted time
· A cup of tee or coffee
· Adventurous mood

It is that easy. No wonder the online workshops are probably our most popular service.

For the last 3 months, ONIP.online has provided 4 online workshops per month: 2 for international professionals, and 2 for staff from employment service agencies. Here is our Calendar for February:

Workshops for Internationally-trained Professionals:
“Online Resources for Internationally-trained Professionals”, presented by Elga Nikolova, ONIP.online Coordinator. Thursday, Feb. 12, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

“Question and Answer Session: The Education System in Ontario”, presented by David Ditchfield, Coordinator, Continuing Education Course Development, Faculty of Education Queens University, Monday, March 1, 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Send your questions in advance to coordinator@onip.ca

Workshops for Service Providers
Brown-bag Lunch: "A Virtual Tour of ONIP.online", presented by Elga Nikolova, Project Coordinator, ONIP.online, Thursday, Feb. 19, from noon to 1:30 PM

Plan to have lunch at your desk and join a virtual tour of www.onip.ca. Elga will demonstrate how to use the articles, case studies, self-study exercises, tools and services to save time, and serve clients more efficiently.

“Academic Credentials Evaluation for Internationally-trained Professionals”, presented by Kevin Kamal, Client Services Manager, World Education Services (WES), date to be announced.

All workshops require pre-registration. To register, send an e-mail to coordinator@onip.ca.

You can check the most current calendar of events on www.onip.ca/sp_network_calendar.php

Online Mentoring Program – new mentors for internationally-trained professionals
The first matches in our online mentoring program are completed, and new mentors have joined our team. Currently, we have available mentors in six professional fields:

Chartered Accountant - Audit
Chartered Accountant - Taxation
Civil Engineer - Transportation
Quality Assurance - Manufacturing
Teacher - Secondary School
Librarian

To find more about the mentoring program, and to refer a client, go to www.onip.ca/mentoring.

ONIP.online is a project of Skills for Change,
funded by Volunteer@ction.online
and the Ontario Trillium Foundation

TechSkills specializes in hands-on, instructor-led training in the latest software applications.

We offer instructors with years of real-world expertise in a fun informal setting, teaching everything from basic web site development to more advanced accounting and database design.

Course Name	Hrs	Start	Day(s)	Time	Fee
A+ Certification	45	Feb. 17	Tue/Thu	6p-9p	$699
A+ Certification	45	Feb. 7	Sat	10a-4p	$699
Accounting I	50	Feb. 7 Apr. 17	Sat	9a – 2p	$300
ACCPAC for Windows 5.0	70	Mar. 20 Jun. 26	Sat	9a - 2p	$360
ACCPAC for Windows 5.0	70	Feb. 26	Mon/Wed	6p-9:30p	$360
Quality Assurance & Control	50	Apr. 17	Sat	9a-2pm	$350
Excel 2002 Level 1	12	Feb. 17	Tue/Thu	6:30p-9:30p	$80
Excel 2002 Level 2	12	Mar. 9	Tue/Thu	6:30p-9:30p	$80
Word 2002 Essentials	12	Mar. 6	Sat	10a-3p	$40
Word 2002 Level 2	12	Mar. 23	Tue/Thu	6:30p-9:30p	$80
Access 2002 Level 1	12	Jan. 26	Mon/Wed	6:30p-9:30p	$80
Access 2002 Level 2	12	Feb. 16	Mon/Wed	6:30p-9:30p	$80
PowerPoint & Publisher Essentials	5	Feb. 21	Sat	10a-3p	$40
FrontPage Web Site Essentials	5	Feb. 28	Sat	10a-3p	$40

To register, call 416 658-3101 ext. 218, or,
register on-line with your Visa or MasterCard

Download application form in pdf format

Daytime, evening and Saturday courses now accepting applications:
(Courses are offered by the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Toronto District School Boards)

ESL/Advanced Communication in the Workplace for Working People\
ESL/Communicating Clearly
ESL/Computerized Accounting
ESL/Customer Service Program
ESL/Intensive English
ESL/Introductory Bookkeeping
ESL/Keyboarding
ESL/Microsoft Office
TOEFL
ESL/Work Search for Internationally-Trained Engineers

Fees
Skills for Change charges a $40, non-refundable Facility Fee for each course taken. An additional materials fee of $10 to $20 is charged for courses sponsored by some Boards of Education.

How to Apply
Please call our Information Line (416) 658-7090 from Monday to Friday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. or call our main number (416) 658-3101 ext. 0 Monday to Thursday from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. to book an appointment for the Orientation and Assessment Session.

Sector Terminology, Information & Counselling (STIC)

Eric Yang
Success Starts from Knowing and Adapting Yourself

I enrolled in the STIC-IT program in September 2002. As an IT professional, I experienced the frozen job market from the time I landed in Canada. When I started the STIC program I was in my lowest mood and completely doubting if I was really needed in Canada. However, as the program progressed I found myself applying the interesting new information presented by our instructors.

Our teacher, Norma, asked us to analyze ourselves and reflect on our values. In discussion groups, each of us discovered our unique skills by comparing what we found with other team members. We began to realize that given the fast changing job market here, our skills were in need of constant refinement so that we could adapt ourselves to the ever changing job market and effectively convey our value to prospective employers.

I adhered to these self-marketing points in the year following my graduation from the STIC program. After one year’s hard work I enjoyed the fruits of my labour. Recently, I was hired in IT as a Senior Information Analyst. I start at the beginning of the new year.

Now if you were to ask how much I got from the STIC program, I would tell you, “a lot”. The most important thing is this: the program gave me a great chance to re-reflect on myself, to identify my unique value, and to re-direct my career path in concert with my long term goals. It taught me how to plan for and adapt to my future success. It can help you too.
More success stories...

www.derc.ca

Programs and Services Updates

View our Programs and Services Calendar on line here

n Job Search Workshop (JSW)
The next Job Search Workshop begins on Monday, February 9, 2004. For more information please call 416 658-3101 ext. 234.

n Sector Terminology Information & Counselling (STIC)
After three wonderful years with the Skills for Change, Darshak Vaishnav, STIC Employer Outreach Specialist, has left to join CASSA for senior research position. Everyone as SfC extend their best wishes.

Next Sessions: Engineers Feb 16/04, Health Care Feb 16/04, Accountants Feb 09/04.

n Finance and Office Assistant Program (FOAP)
The 8th. client group started January 12, 2004 with 15 participants. This program is designed for newcomers to provide comprehensive clerical skills, improve communication skills and enhance their ability to secure and retain employment in these growing fields. The length of this program is 26 weeks which includes 6 weeks of co-op placement and runs from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

n Employment Preparation for Internationally Trained Accountants and Bookkeepers (ITAB)
The second ITAB group started January 26, 2004 with 15 participants. This program is designed for newcomers with experience from their home countries in Accounting and Bookkeeping. Program participants can upgrade their technical skills, become familiar with Canadian Accounting/Bookkeeping systems and obtain work experience in Canada. This program runs from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m

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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Skills for Change

791 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6C 1B8

A United Way member agency

Telephone 416 658-3101 · Fax 416 658-6292

Email sfc@skillsforchange.org · Web www.skillsforchange.org

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