Job Search Workshop Events

by Srna Stambuk (JSW Facilitator/Counsellor)

March was an exciting month for the Job Search Workshop (JSW) program. In addition to our regular workshops, we hosted two large events. On March 5th, we opened our session on Workers' Rights to all Skills for Change clients. The event, planned and hosted with the CES program, was a success. Karen Dick from Worker's Action Centre helped clients and a few attending staff learn the basics and some nuances of the Employment Standards Act (ESA). Did you know that retail workers have the right under the ESA to refuse to work on Sundays and public holidays? This and other useful information was the topic of the presentation on workers' rights.

Newcomers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by employers who break, or find loopholes in, the ESA. Many newcomers, expecting better working conditions and stronger employment laws in Canada than in their former countries, simply don't know their rights and employers' responsibilities under the ESA. So a presentation on the Employment Standards Act was useful and important for Skills for Change clients. It was well attended and generated many new insights and questions. As a result our clients are better prepared to enter the workforce and seek help when they need it. We'll keep you posted on the next Worker's Rights Information Session!

On Tuesday evening, March 27th, JSW hosted the first quarterly JSW Networking/Refresher Event. These events. taking place at three-month intervals throughout the year, will showcase some JSW 'success stories' as well as provide all current JSW clients with an opportunity to celebrate, meet each other, network and get practical advice and motivation for their continued job search.

On March 27th, we featured five impressive speakers: 2007 NPA Winner, Juan Orozco, who began his career in Canada in Jemima's Job Search Workshop; Nicoleta Verdes, who was both a JSW participant and a placement student and now is one of the newest Skills for Change staff members; Gilberto Parraga Manzol, who found employment in his field a few days after completing the Job Search Workshop and only two weeks upon arriving in Toronto; Aiden, a young Engineer in Training and also an immigrant; and Jeff Amini, owner of Trillium Consulting firm, an immigrant and now a small business owner and employer who has in the past hired Skills for Change staff. At least one other speaker was planned but was not in attendance – he was interviewing for a management position at his new company!

The speakers shared their experiences of job search as well as lessons they had learned; discussion was lively with lots of questions and ample opportunity for networking. More than forty clients attended the event and there was a sense of abundance, hope and optimism. We look forward to the next JSW Networking/Refresher Event in late June, 2007; we already have several successes to celebrate!
 

Colourful Beginnings

by Michele Raposo (Web Developer and Guest Speaker Coordinator)

On most days the Skills for Change Employment Resource Centre resembles a library - calm, quiet, with clients and staff focused on completing the tasks at hand. But, on Thursday, April 19, 2007 the Employment Centre was converted into a venue where Music, Entertainment and Explosive Laughter set the atmosphere.

Click photo for a larger view

On this day Skills for Change launched the Newcomer Professionals at Work Program, and welcomed everyone to the SfC Employment Resource Centre's new home at 1139 College Street.

As guests entered the reception area, they received red carpet treatment with Paparazzi snapping shots both candid and formal. Guests were then ushered to different entertainment stations, which highlighted job search workshops delivered at the Employment Resource Centre. At “Need Dough? Knead Dough!” guests pounded bread dough to relieve their stress and focus on opportunities – those that succeeded received a chocolate toonie. Guests were then steered to other stations including “Feather’s in A Ruffle? Make a Truffle!” and “Fortunate Networking” where they received a few treats and not-so-traditional networking techniques.

Throughout the event, guests were invited to experience, explore and understand the various programs and services and celebrate new initiatives offered by Skills for Change. Cristina Codreanu, Co-ordinator of Newcomers Professionals at Work (NPW), launched the program with a video and highlights of the program (Paid Internships, Mentoring, Direct Job Opportunities, and Individual Employment Counseling).

The Open House then culminated with a Salsa Networking session where guests received a basic lesson on Salsa dancing. As one guest commented and many echoed, “the energy of the place, the bright walls, I could feel the buzz through the door.”

Colourful Beginnings brought clients, community partners and the Skills for Change Team together to share that buzz.
 

What Is The Keyboarding Speed That Will Land You A Job?

by Gener Pagkanlungan (Coordinator, TechSkills)

For many jobs, typing or keyboarding speed is a prerequisite for the job. No one talks about percentage accuracy. We always hear about a person's wpm. A person's proficiency rating in typing is measured by speed: words per minute (wpm).

A speed of 40 wpm is the basic minimum standard required by many employers and government positions. According to experts, an effective typing speed should be at least 3 - 4 times your handwriting speed.

Having the speed, though, is not enough to get the job. Being proficient in the widely-used office applications is a key to success.

What software applications should you know?
 

word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and presentation software   the basic components of communications system, including e-mail, and the Internet.

Microsoft Office (MSO) is one of the most popular software packages on the market today. MSO Suite includes Word (word processing), Excel (spreadsheet), Access (database management) and Power Point and Publisher (presentation software).

Where do you start?

Taking a course in keyboarding is a good start. Set a goal to attain a speed of 25 wpm, and enroll in a computer course. You can start with an introductory class in Word and Excel, and then progress into the intermediate or advanced level classes.

Some prefer to enroll in full MSO courses where they learn Word, Excel and Access, and then take extra courses in Power Point and Publisher.

These courses are offered by TechSkills.

Now, after taking one course or several computer courses, how will you determine your level of proficiency?

The Microsoft Office Specialist (Office Specialist) certification for Microsoft Office is a series of one or more certification exams which provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise by evaluating your overall comprehension of Microsoft Office programs, your ability to use their advanced features, and your ability to integrate the Office programs with other software programs.

Another way to determine your level of proficiency is to take a simple test called SKILLCHECK. Skills for Change provides this service, for free, to its students. It is a good way to find out where your weaknesses are before an important job interview or job test.

Keep on practising, to increase your speed and accuracy!
 

About Skills for Change

Established in 1982, Skills for Change (SfC) is a registered, non-profit agency providing "learning and training opportunities for immigrants and refugees so that they can participate in the workplace and wider community."

It is located at 791 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario M6C 1B7.

We can be reached by phone (416.658.3101), fax (416.658.6292) or email.
 

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About our Programs and Services

Our Programs and Services calendar can be downloaded here in pdf format.  To view a complete list of our programs and services, click here.

Alternatively, go directly to the program/service home page of your choice:

Bridge to Success for Trades
Clerical Employment Services (CES)
Employment Preparation for Retail Services (EPRS)
Employment Resource Centre (ERC)
ESL Courses
Human Resource Services
Job Search Workshop (JSW)
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
Mentoring for Employment
New Pioneers Awards (NPA)
Newcomer Professionals at Work (NPW)
Sector-specific Information Sessions
Settlement Services for Newcomers
Teach In Ontario
TechSkills