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 The
Skills for Change Employment Resource Centre is at last opening the
doors to its new home! Almost six months after leaving the Dufferin Mall, we look forward to setting up in our new premises at 1139 College Street, one short block west of Dufferin. As of 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 18, we will be open for business. Once again, job seekers in Toronto Lakeside will have access to our one2one COACHING services, job search workshops, and the support of ERC staff. We'd love to see you! |
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Annual General Meeting |
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Mark your books! SfC will be holding its 24th AGM on Tuesday, October 24th at the Sala Caboto (40 Playfair Avenue, Lawrence and Dufferin). We do hope you will join us as we celebrate 24 years of serving immigrants and refugees, and begin the countdown to our 25th anniversary. We are thrilled to announce that the Honorable Mike Colle, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, will be our keynote speaker. It will also be an opportunity for us to recognize the extraordinary volunteers who contribute so significantly to the agency. Stay tuned for more details! |
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Welcome to SfC |
Skills for Change is pleased to welcome
two new employees to our team. Samantha Koon assumes the new position of Fundraising Specialist.
Samantha will be organizing the 15th annual
New
Pioneers Awards to
be held
Thursday, March 22, 2007
at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. In addition, “Sam” as she
likes to be called, will be the key driver behind obtaining SfC
funding through grants and foundations.Sam brings over seven years of experience in fund development, energy, commitment, and passion to SfC. Currently, she is working toward her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), a professional designation for a fundraiser. She has worked in the past with Carmel of the Infant Jesus, Canadian Feed the Children, Providence Centre Foundation and Baycrest Centre Foundation.  Vimla Luchmun joins the
Teach in Ontario Project at Skills for
Change as a Bilingual Intake Consultant. Vimla has a Masters Degree in
Social Development and Brings with her over seven years of
experience as a Career Counsellor, Education Officer and Teacher.
Vimla has taught at the University of Mauritius in the faculty of
Social Services and Humanities and has commendable experience in the
areas of facilitation, counseling, career guidance and has been
instrumental in organizing major international conferences for the
University. |
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Picnic on the Island |
 On
July 28, staff at Skills for Change attended a gala picnic at
Hanlan’s point on Centre Island, organized by the Social Club of
Skills for Change. No phones, no files, no work - just plenty of fun
in the sun . What more could people ask for? A chance to dance to
the beats of music from across the world, a dip in the cool waters
of the lake or just a stroll along the lush green grass was enough
to lift everyone’s spirits. A delicious barbeque coupled with a colourful multicultural spread of cuisine was the focal point of the day. Even the torrential rain towards the end of the day could not dampen the spirits of the group. A wonderful getaway, which will be fondly remembered, for after all, when you work very hard, you need to work equally hard at having fun. |
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These free information sessions are held
at Skills for Change, 791 St. Clair Avenue West. An information session for internationally-trained Engineers will be held September 19 at 1:30 p.m. For more information, click here. An information session for internationally-trained Accountants will be held September 26 at 1:30 p.m. For more information, click here. An information session for newcomers to Canada will be held October 3 at 1:30 p.m. Learn what services are available to you. For more information, click here. |
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"Stranger in a Strange Land" |
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CIBC’S Miguel Aguayo speaks to CES/SfC clients about
understanding the recruitment process by Nasra Abdi When Miguel Aguayo, an HR Manager for the Employment Equity department at CIBC, talked about the bank's recruitment process on July 25, over 50 SfC clients listened! In detailing CIBC standards, Aguayo revealed the extent of the competition - CIBC received 8,862 resumes last year! Through personal and professional anecdotes, experience and issues, he then provided a key to the arduous process of job searching. “My job posting is a legal tender. Your resume is a legal tender,” explained Aguayo, as he proceeded to explain the importance of reviewing your skills according to the job posting. “You have to explain why you have a gap in your resume,” Aguayo said, noting how being dedicated and committed in your job search process could show your transferable skills. Aguayo claims that if you are not currently working or studying, you have to show what you have been doing. This is where you can indicate how committed you were to your job search process. Aguayo reminded his audience that they must be clear about their goal and noted that, 1,800 candidates applied for one position at CIBC; only 20 candidates, however, were qualified for the position. To respond to a job that's appropriate for you, you have to match your transferable skills to the position’s requirements. “Know what you can do when a recruiter calls, ” he said. He added , “Know [also] what you can ask for . ” “It’s the job seeker who wins the job. You have to toot your own horn.” |
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Newcomers Give Feedback |
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On July 19th, IAT organized and provided volunteers for a focus group
orientated by Access Alliance. Newcomers to Canada were provided with a lunch and participated in consultations for the Toronto Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). On March 1, 2006 the Ontario government passed a new law that gives 14 local Health Integration Networks the authority to plan and co-ordinate specific health services, as well as to ensure that health care organizations work together for the benefit of residents. The consultations will contribute to the information needed to implement LHIN and ensure the health care system reflects Toronto’s community. |
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Guest Speakers for September |
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Participate in our free guest speakers
program. All sessions are held at 791 St. Clair Avenue West. Patricia O’Connor, Ryerson University Information Session on Credentials Assessment & Employment/Training Opportunities for Internationally Trained Social Workers Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 1 p.m. Room 211 Sergeant Gord Kowalishen, Recruiter, Canadian Forces Learn about the different positions available with the Canadian Forces Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 1 p.m. Room 211 Carol Gamble, Volunteer Centre of Toronto Discover how volunteering can help you find work, gain Canadian work experience and learn new skills Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 1 p.m. Room 310 Karolin Givergis, World Education Services New to Canada? Learn how to get your credentials assessed for education, licensing, and employment purposes Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. Room 211 Anton Karan, CGA Resume, Job Search and Interview Tips for Accountants Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 1 p.m. Room 310 |
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The following courses are still
available for start dates in September: Employment Preparation for Retail Services (September 5) ESL/Business Writing (Sept. 6, 2006) ESL/Intermediate Bookkeeping (September 9) ESL/Introductory Bookkeeping (September 9) ESL/Keyboarding (September 9) ESL/Medical Terminology (September 9) TOEFL (September 11) ESL/English for Academic Purposes (September 11) Please call (416) 658-7090, Monday to Friday between 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., or Monday to Thursday, between 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. or Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon. |
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Retail Services Program Starts September 5 |
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The Employment Preparation for Retail Services Program (EPRS) is
designed to improve your communication skills for the retail sector
and provides job search training and conflict resolution skills.
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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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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 |
