Skills for Change



SfCeNews
July 30, 2004
Volume 5  Issue 07

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...

Meeting the Canadian Workforce Head On
Industrial Mechanics Seeking Certification
In The News
What's New at ONIP.online
NPA Nominations
Special Speakers Series
TechSkills Calendar

Meeting the Canadian Workforce Head On

Marily Molina (CES Facilitator/Counsellor), Judith Kaufman (Toronto Social Services) and Aida Julejmani (ITAB graduate)

The ITAB (Internationally Trained Accountants and Bookkeepers) program completed its final phase of six months of training and work placement. This group was happy to be finished and are now focusing their energy toward exciting and fulfilling careers.

Aida Julejmani, a recent ITAB graduate is feeling good about herself. “Being in the Skills for Change program helped me to get back my confidence," she says, "and now I feel better about my life in Canada.”

Computer software teacher, Fred Koh, was pleased that not all the ITAB participants had shown up for the graduation. “The fact that not all of you are here today is actually a good thing – this means that people have already gotten jobs,” he said.

Toronto Social Services worker Judith Kaufman was at the graduation. Judith is always excited when students complete the program. “The students put in such hard work and commitment,” says Kaufman. “We not only provide people with financial assistance, but we are also employment counsellors and are always available to offer support.”

Skills for Change Executive Director, Peggy Edwards, commended graduates on their success, especially as immigrants and newcomers to Canada. “I applaud you all – it is tough landing on new shores and starting a new life,” she shared.

Some of the graduates have found jobs in their field of choice; and others are ready to prove to employers that not only do their skills shine – but their enthusiasm and commitment can surpass any of the candidates in line.
 

Industrial Mechanics Seeking Certification

In The News

Card headache turning into a migraine [more]
The letters just keep rolling in from angry, frustrated people who have been waiting months and months for a permanent resident card.

Toronto Has World’s 2nd Highest Percentage of Foreign-Born Residents [more]
According to a recently released United Nations study, Human Development Report 2004: Cultural Liberty in Today’s Diverse World, 44% of Toronto’s residents are foreign born, second only to Miami.

Top 10 Cities by Share of Foreign Born Population 2000/2001 are:
Miami 59%, Toronto 44%, Los Angeles 41%, Vancouver 37%, New York 36%, Singapore 33%, Sydney 31%, Abidjan 30%, London 28%, Paris 23%.
 

What's New At ONIP.online

Call for Support for ONIP.online:
ONIP.online is approaching the end of its term

The Ontario Network for Professional Development Online is coming to the end of its current funding.

The support provided by Ontario Trillium Foundation and Volunteer@ction.Online is running out at the end of September. We are evaluating our progress, and looking at options for keeping the project functioning.

We need your support
Your letters of support, comments about the value you found at ONIP.online, and honest feedback will tell our funders more than mere statistics can. By providing us with feedback, you will contribute to our efforts to secure the sustainability of the project.

Please, take a minute to send a testimonial letter, thoughts and comments about ONIP.online and its services to:

Elga Nikolova, Project Coordinator
Ontario Network for International Professionals Online (ONIP.online)
Skills for Change,
791 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario M6C 1B8

E-mail: nikolova@skillsforchange.org


What Do The Numbers Mean?
What do statistics on the number of visits, viewed pages, or hits per month tell us about the traffic to the web site?

Number of pages per visit
If the content of a site is not relevant, or not of interest to visitors, they will leave quickly, after visiting just a couple of pages. If they find value, they will likely browse through more pages.

In 2004, ONIP.online users browsed through an average of 14.36 pages per visit, with least pages in April (4.24) and most in July (29).

Most visited pages
The “most visited pages” statistics provide insight into the kind of information site visitors are looking for:

On ONIP.online the most visited articles are those describing employment options for internationally-trained professionals:
 

General job search articles are very popular as well: “Finding Job Opportunities” was the second most visited article in June; and “Volunteering” – second most visited in July.

Entry Pages
Most visitors enter sites through a page that contains specific information, rather than the “Home Page”. This means that the visitor:

(a) has done a very targeted search through a search engine

(b) followed a link from another site with similar content, or

(c) came back to a bookmarked page (for ONIP.online the page may be bookmarked by an employment counselor, and used repeatedly in sessions with clients)

Regardless of the reason, “entry pages” are not just randomly hit, but reached by their target audience.

Most people enter ONIP.online through articles on alternative employment options. Articles explaining professional licensing also often serve as “entry” to the site.
 

2005 New Pioneers Awards

Special Speakers Series

Cold Calling Employers
Vijay Balakrishnan
Wednesday, August 4, 2004 @ 1 p.m.

IT/Computer Professionals: Presenting Your Skills at an Interview
Ahmed Ali
Monday, August 9, 2004 @ 1 p.m.

Interview Skills for Accountants
Pat Jeyanathan
Tuesday, August 10, 2004 @ 1 p.m.

Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques
Ewa Wozniak
Wednesday, August 11, 2004 @ 1 p.m.

Q & A on the Canadian Legal Immigration Process
Ruby Decena
Monday, August 16, 2004 @ 1 p.m.

Job Search & Interview Skills for Accountants
Anton Karan, CGA Ministry of Finance
Tuesday, August 24, 2004 @ 2 p.m.
Please Bring Your Resume

Employment Standards: What Are Your Rights?
Julius Mlynarski
Wednesday, August 25, 2004 @ 1 p.m.

Seats are limited. Please register in person or by phone 416-516-4689

Programs and Services Updates

View our Programs and Services Calendar on line here

n Bridge to Success for Trades
Skills for Change congratulates the participants of the “Bridge to Success for Trades Program” for receiving their Certification of Qualification as Industrial Electricians.

Their hard work, dedication and commitment to the program have set a high standard of achievement for future participants who enroll in phase two and three of the program.

Phase III – Bridge to Success for Trades - Industrial Mechanics (Millwrights) will start on August 23, 2004. This free training runs for 12 weeks wherein participants will gain employability skills and will be provided with hands-on technical training and exam preparation.

To those interested to attend, please call 416-658-7090 Monday thru Friday between 1 and 3 pm.
 

TechSkills Calendar

To register, call 416 658-3101 ext. 302 or 218, or,
register on-line with your Visa or MasterCard

Download application form in pdf format
 

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.
 

CES	Clerical Employment Services
CIS	Cultural Interpreting Service
EAS	Employment Assistance Services
EPRS	Employment for Retail Services
ERC	Employment Resource Centre
FOAP	Finance & Office Assistant Program
IAT	Intake, Assessment and Training
ITAB	Internationally Trained Accountants and Bookkeepers
JSC	Job Search Centre
JSW	Job Search Workshop
LINC	Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
ONIP	Ontario Network for Internationally-training Professionals Online
NPA	New Pioneers Awards
STIC	Sector Terminology Information & Counselling

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