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New Pioneers Awards March 30, 2006 |
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Proctor & Gamble and Canada Post Volunteer |
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Textronics Hires SfC Grads |
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Representatives from a
cross-section of GTA companies and organizations joined Skills for
Change and Textronics
Communications Ltd. November 18 for a breakfast. |
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Celebrating Excellence in Mentoring |
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On
November 9, the Mentoring Program celebrated its annual mentor
appreciation evening to say ‘thank you’ to the volunteers who make
the delivery of this program possible. The Mentoring Program was pleased to welcome over fifty guests, including mentors, friends and supporters, members of the Board of Directors and SfC staff to this event.  The program staff welcomed the guests, expressing their appreciation
of all the mentors, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to
helping new immigrants move forward in their career goals. Rosaline Graham, Mentoring Program Counsellor said “The program’s success is due to our outstanding mentors and it is our privilege to work with them.” The mentors were presented with a gift in recognition of their contribution as volunteers. It was an honor to have Joe Mihevc, City Councillor from Ward 21 St. Paul's West attend the event. He addressed the guests and spoke highly about the agency’s contribution to the community and encouraged the mentors in their volunteering. Fawzia Ratanshi from the United Way of Greater Toronto also greeted the mentors, acknowledging the effectiveness of the Mentoring for Employment Program as a support for internationally-trained professional newcomers in their search for meaningful employment. The guests particularly enjoyed hearing mentors and clients talk about their experiences as participants of the program. William Molson, a mentor, and his mentee Lydia Zhu, both Chartered Accountants, charmed everyone as they recounted their experience in working together to achieve Lydia’s successful employment outcome. Another mentoring pair, Eric Acuna and his mentee Gabriela Trinc, shared their moving story of Gabriela’s journey to success. Two other mentors who have been with the program for several years, Wayne Haymer and Pasha Mohammed, spoke eloquently about their commitment to help newcomers and shared their views about the being an effective mentor. Kim Taylor, Director of Diversity at Ontario Power Generation presented the Mentoring Program with a cheque as a donation from a fund-raising initiative of their diversity group. Kim Taylor accepted a Certificate of Recognition in acknowledgement of the on-going relationship between SfC and OPG. The Mentoring Program recognized key partnerships that have contributed to the enhancement of the service by presenting certificates to Linda Zaks-Walker from the Teach in Ontario Project and John Wabb from the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers. |
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Cross-Cultural Communication Workshop |
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This one day workshop is designed for
internationally-trained teachers who want to work in their
profession in Ontario. Participants will examine how culture informs
their values and behaviour, and consequently, their communication
with others. Through role play and group work, they will explore ways to develop culturally sensitive communication strategies, with specific reference to the diversity in Ontario schools.
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December Operating Hours |
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Regular hours resume Tuesday,
January 3, 2006 |
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Riding the Waves of Change |
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Skills for Change held its first
annual fundraising boat cruise in September 2005 aboard the Northern
Spirit at the Toronto Harbourfront.
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SfC Programs Start Dates |
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TechSkills |
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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. |
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December Guest Speakers |
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 Seats
are limited. Pre-register at reception or call 416-516-4689 to reserve a
seat. We are located at 900 Dufferin Street, Suite 101. Bernadette Baker Learn to Put Stress on Hold & Get Focused on Your Job Search Thursday, December 1, 2005 @ 1:00 p.m. Ruth Antwiwaa CultureLink/Midaynta Job Seekers & Newcomers Employment Quiz on Job Search Techniques Want to know why your not getting a job? Take the Employment Quiz and find out you need to do to FAST TRACK YOUR JOB SEARCH Monday, December 5, 2005 @ 1:00 p.m. Bernadette Baker Improve Your Self-Image and Build Your Confidence Tuesday, December 6, 2005 @ 1:00 p.m. ****NEW!!! NEW!!! NEW!!! NETWORK YOUR WAY TO A JOB This self-directed activity, offers job-seekers interested in the same field of work an opportunity to meet in an informal setting, to exchange ideas and widen your network of acquaintances (you may have heard that many jobs are obtained through informal networking, outside of the official application process)! Networking Sessions Self-Directed Networking Group for Technical Jobs (Science, Engineering, IT, Technology, Healthcare, Trades, Manufacturing) Every Monday in December from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Self-Directed Networking Group for Administrative Jobs (Accounting, Banking/Finance, Customer Service, Education, Government, Human Resources, Research) Every Tuesday in November from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Special Speaker Presentations on “Canadian Experience” and Cross-Cultural Differences in Job Search The Dufferin Mall Employment Resource Centre’s Networking Groups are pleased to announce a return engagement by our special speaker, Laura Labonte-Smith from Toronto's CultureLink Settlement Services agency. In November, Laura facilitated a presentation here at the DERC which was very well received by our clients, volunteers, and staff. Two more talks by the same speaker have been scheduled for December. On December 5, Laura will be speaking on the topic of “Canadian Experience”, which has long been one of the biggest employment challenges for newcomers to Canada. Goals of the discussion will be to: · Learn what employers really mean by Canadian Experience · Identify the Canadian Experience that you already have · Discuss how to get more and better Canadian Experience The following evening (December 6), Laura will be giving a presentation and speaking with our clients on similarities and differences in job search techniques between Canada and other countries. Laura will focus on: · Sources of information about potential job openings · How are job titles and duties in Canada and in your country similar or different? · Do you need to network or develop personal ‘connections’ in the job search process? · Are a resume and cover letter always required to get a job? Are these documents different in Canada than elsewhere? · What do you see as your biggest obstacle during your search for employment? Dates and times: Monday December 5 at 5:00pm (“Canadian Experience”), and Tuesday December 6 at 5:30pm (Cross-Cultural Differences in Job Search) Location: Dufferin Mall Employment Resource Centre Refreshments: Coffee, tea and light snacks Everyone is welcome! Call (416) 516-4689 for details or to reserve a seat in advance More info? www.derc.ca Contact Us: t: (416) 516-4689 e: erc@skillsforchange.org |
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SfC Changes |
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We wish the
following staff the very best in their new endeavours: |
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Programs and Services Directory |
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 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6C 1B8 A United Way member agency Skills for Change is a registered non-profit organization Charitable registration #121471858RR0001 |
Through the United Way of Greater Toronto’s
(UWGT) Days of Caring Program,
staff from Proctor & Gamble and Canada Post volunteered their services at SfC for a day each
in November. 
Susanne Pacher, President of Textronics, recognized several years
ago that workplace diversity would be a key success factor for her
company. Working with the CES program, she strategically hired staff
with a wide range of training and experience from China, Russia,
Pakistan, Mexico, Ethiopia and Austria. She elaborated on how this
diversity has contributed to significant annual growth. 
· Experienced professional instructors