Skills for Change



SfCeNews
August 31, 2004
Volume 5  Issue 08

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...

Nominations for the 2005 New Pioneers Awards
Another recruitment tool for employers
We let foreign talent wither
Many thanks and good luck, Ying!
Graduation big performance
What's new at ONIP.online
Four reasons to attend our Speaker's Series
Programs and Services Update

2005 New Pioneers Awards

Another recruitment tool for employers

At Skills for Change, our Employer Outreach Specialists are always looking for ways to enhance and assist the Job Search of our Internationally Trained and skilled clients.

On September 14, 2004, there will be an employer breakfast to officially launch www.skillsforhire.org.

Skills for Hire is a website designed to showcase the profiles and resumes of clients who have been through a Skills for Change program and are ready to advance a Canadian workplace with their global expertise.

When an employer reviews a resume on Skills for Hire, they can be sure that this individual has been pre-screened for skill levels and is working with experienced employment counsellors that understand the needs of the Canadian Labour Market.
 

We let foreign talent wither

by Jason Botchford (Toronto Sun)

Photo by Mark O'Neil, Sun

CANADA IS wasting its brains, a new Statistics Canada survey shows. And it's especially true in the cities. The research shows that virtually all immigrants coming to Canada in the 1990s -- about 1.8 million -- have settled in metropolitan cities. It also shows these immigrants, who actually have higher levels of education than people born in Canada, are being wasted and are stuck without jobs or forced to work in ones with much lower skill requirements.

The result is a drain on social programs and public transportation in the country's largest cities, the study found.

"We're skimming the cream of the crop of immigrants from around the world and then we are just wasting them," said David Hughes of Skills for Change, a Toronto organization that tries to find job opportunities for immigrants. "It really is a brain waste, not only for us but for the countries of origin where the immigrants were productive citizens."

Toronto's Alexey Teterin, 48, can't land a job here even though he came from Russia in December with a PhD in electrical engineering. He's an IT expert who has scored in the top 10% in international tests but can't seem to find work in Toronto.

"So now I am on social assistance," Teterin said yesterday. "I do my best to find a job but it is so hard here. At first, I thought it was a problem with my English but I don't think that's the case anymore."

Based on the 2001 census, the study shows that in Toronto 32% of Canadian-born people aged 25 to 54 had a university degree compared to 38% of recent immigrants. The disparity is even wider in Ottawa where 30% of Canadian-born people had degrees compared to 50% of recent immigrants.

Despite the education gap, immigrants are much more likely to work for low wages or be unemployed than their native-born counterparts.

Teterin spent eight years working as an associate professor at a Russian university.

"I'm unemployed in Canada but I hope that changes in the future," Teterin said.
 

Many thanks and good luck, Ying!

by Libby Ackermann

Little did the ERC (Employment Resource Centre) staff realize how fortunate we were when Ying Pang started her practicum with us at the end of June. Ten weeks later, as Ying prepares to return for her next semester in the Career and Work Counselling Program at George Brown College, we are delighted that she wishes to continue volunteering with us once a week.

After teaching junior and senior high school mathematics in China for thirteen years, Ying, her husband and daughter lived in Sydney, Australia, before arriving in Canada in 2002. During her first year in Toronto, Ying worked on improving her English and then took a general labour position before going back to school to prepare for a new career.

With her strong analytical, research and group facilitation skills, and her warmth and empathy, Ying is certain to be a successful counsellor. We look forward to her continuing to contribute to the work of the ERC and to our clients.
 

Graduation big performance

by Michelle Edmunds

Lights are on, TV blares across the room, the microwave zaps small kernels of corn into puffed bags of popcorn – these are a few of the conveniences that come to us by means of electricity.

The Construction and Maintenance Electricians program that is part of the Bridge to Success for Trades project at Skills for Change, came together on August 19, 2004, for some graduation revelry.

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities funded the pilot project which assists Internationally Trained Tradespeople with their dreams of making a life for themselves and their families in their new country; Canada.

Alex Henao is one student that is pleased to be graduating. “I am so proud to be here - this program was so helpful, and now I really feel confident about working in this field, and in this country.”

Ministry representative, Patti Redmond, did not conceal her excitement as she addressed the audience of newly certified electricians. “Finally we get to see the fruits of your labour," she said, "and we are pleased to be in partnership with Skills for Change in the Bridge to Success Project.”

And some teachers really know how to stimulate their students. Arshia Raafat, Trades Project facilitator, proved this while teaching by use of pantomime. One student had the audience roaring with laughter as he transformed himself into the first-ever human jackhammer.

Abdul Memon, graduate and class valedictorian, said that since becoming a certified electrician his plans have changed, “Today, I graduate, tomorrow I buy a hard hat, and next week - I begin work.”
 

What's New At ONIP.online

Career and Promotion Opportunities with ONIP.online
The Ontario Network for International Professionals (ONIP.online) is a leader in providing online training and learning opportunities for internationally-trained professionals as well as career management practitioners. We are always looking for new presenters and interesting workshops.

We may be the right partner for you if:
 

You bring your subject mater expertise, while we provide coaching and support with the online adaptation, promotion and organizing of your workshop or presentation.

Interested? Contact Elga Nikolova: coordinator@onip.ca 



“Back to School” with ONIP.online
As the new school year approaches, the ONIP.online team gets into learning mode again. Our monthly workshops for international professionals and service providers are back with all favorites and new exciting presenters. Here are some highlights:

September 24, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. An information session on “Pursuing a SGA designation in Ontario” with Don Hutton, Manager Admissions for CGA

October 5, 10:30 am -12:00 pm “Alternative Employment Options for Internationally-trained Physicians” with Nira Sharma, Provincial Membership Coordinator, AIPSO (Association of International Physicians and Surgeons in Ontario)

November 16 2:00-3:30 pm “Latest Trends in the IT Labor Market for Ontario” with Julia He, Employment Counsellor, Microskills, Toronto

December (date to be announced) “Resumes for Internationally-trained Engineers” with Lionel Laroche, President, MCB Solutions

All workshops will be tailored to the needs of internationally trained professionals, but service providers are welcome to attend and observe. To sign up for a workshop, send an e-mail to coordinator@onip.ca

More workshops are “in the pipeline” for the Fall, so keep your eyes on our calendar.



Professional Development with ONIP.online
In May ONIP.online launched “Portfolio Development for Career Practitioners” - its first professional development course. The third run of “Portfolio Development for Career Practitioners” starts this coming Friday, September 3, and is, again, almost completely sold out.

Two more courses will be launched in October - November this year:

“Career Direction and Resume Writing Support for Internationally-trained Engineers” is a hands-on course for employment counsellors. Lionel Laroche, internationally-trained engineer and career management practitioner, will coach participants through the process of assessment, career direction and resume editing for internationally-trained clients with engineering background.

“Canadian Accounting & Bookkeeping for Internationally-trained Accountants” is an online version of a popular Skills for Change course, that allows internationally-trained accountants to familiarize themselves with the professional terminology and basic practices of Canadian accounting.

These are for-fee courses. Participants will receive Certificate of Completion.

For dates and further details, send an e-mail to coordinator@onip.ca
 

Four reasons to attend our Speaker's Series

1. Network with your peers and our Guest Speaker (you will receive new job leads, informational interviews and exposure to experts in your field)

2. You'll learn something new (receive information that gives you that leading edge over other job seekers)

3. Get job search support (our speakers will motivate and guide you in your job search and often offer help even after the workshop is long over)

4. Professional Development (if you are working in an employment assistance related occupation or field get some great tips to pass onto your clients)

Important - Always bring your resume and business card to any event you attend - you never know when opportunity will knock!!!

This workshop will cover the following topics:

At the end of workshop, participants will:

NOTE: This workshop does not deal with “job search techniques” but is meant to encourage participants to explore newer approach techniques for job search

When? Tuesday, September 7, 2004 @ 1 p.m.

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

All workshops are FREE and take place at:

DUFFERIN MALL EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CENTRE
900 Dufferin Street, Suite 101 Toronto, ON M6H 4A9

More Info? www.derc.ca
Contact Us: (416) 516-4689 erc@skillsforchange.org

Programs and Services Updates

View our Programs and Services Calendar on line here

n Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)

On August 6th, the LINC classes went to The Beaches -- a last minute request by the students before a two week summer break. Luckily, the weather was in our favour and although a little nippy, the sun shone through and the students and their families celebrated with games and a picnic. It was an enjoyable outing.

The LINC classes resume with new session on Monday, August 30. Students are still being accepted in the following levels, LINC 3, LINC 4, LINC 4-5 (Pronunciation and Conversation) and LINC 5.

Eligibility or Prerequisite: Landed Immigrant or Convention Refugee and Language Assessment by YMCA, A-LINC. Registration: Please call the receptionist at Skills for Change at 416 658-3101, ext. 0. Or, if you need a language assessment, please call YMCA at 416 925-5462 to make an appointment for assessment.
 

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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