catalyst june 2009
DESCRIPTION
Catalyst June 2009TRANSCRIPT
J U N E 2 0 0 9
Mark Your
Calendar
Take Our Kids to Work™
November 4, 2009
Careerapalooza
March 30, 2010
Partners in Education
Breakfast
May 6, 2010
Lifelong Learning Week—
Adult Basic Education
September 21-27, 2009
James North Art Crawl
(Second Friday of each month)
Canada Career Week
November 1-7, 2009
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3
E D U C A T I O N & B U S I N E S S
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Take Our Kids to Work™ is a one-day job-shadowing experience that is
delivered across Canada.
It’s a chance for students to connect what they are learning in school with what happens in the workplace.
Students also have an opportunity to see how a parent or another adult spends his or her day. Take Our Kids to
Work day starts young people thinking about the many choices available to them after high school.
Last year on Take Our Kids to Work™, hundreds of thousands of Grade nine students across the country spent
the day at various workplaces. These students were able to gain insight on what it’s like in the working world,
and begin considering their own career options. In our community alone, employers opened their doors and
provided placements for over 4900 Grade nine students.
Mark it on your calendar: November 4th!
Wednesday, November 4th 2009
HOLD THE DATE!
ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD PARTICIPATES IN THIS NATIONAL ONE-DAY EVENT
Did you know... There is a Summer Jobs Service funded by the Ministry of Training, College, and
Universities to support employment for students from April to August. This gives young
people between the ages of 15-24 who plan to return to school in the fall direct access
to summer jobs offered by participating employers.
There are incentives for employers who choose to participate! Participating employers
receive a wage subsidy and access to students who are ready and willing to work in the
summer.
For more information, please call (905) 575-2368 or email [email protected].
P A G E 2 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3
The Speakers Bureau is an initiative that strives to educate and inspire elementary and secondary
school students about education opportunities and career choices by inviting employers to speak to
them about their careers. The Speakers Bureau motivates students to continue their education,
consider various career opportunities and ways to reach their goals.
Volunteer speakers can also benefit from the Speakers Bureau by highlighting their organization
as employer of choice, and drawing more attention in their sector. There is also the ‘feel-good’ benefit
of being an inspirational figure for youth, and making a positive impact on the community.
Our role is to provide the link between the speaker and the classroom.
As an educator, all you have to do is view our listing of available speakers and provide a date and
location and we’ll handle the rest! This way, you can invite a variety of speakers from different career
sectors to motivate your students. Easy!
As an employer, we invite you to participate in our initiative. Our schools need you! Getting
involved is as easy as getting in touch with the Industry-Education Council of Hamilton.
For further information, feel free to contact us by email at [email protected] or via
phone at 905.529.4483.
The Workplace Tours program is an initiative that has a unique way
of inspiring and educating elementary and secondary school
students about the variety of career sectors out there. The
Workplace Tours program motivates students to enhance their
career development by allowing them to see and learn first hand about different sectors, and observing
operations and activities at local businesses.
By experiencing how a workplace operates, students are inspired to consider a variety of career
options and motivated to continue their education to reach their goals. Being able to observe activities
on-location allows for students imaginations to flourish, as they can see clearly in front of them what
they can accomplish. The Workplace Tours program strives to connect students with role models and
mentors and identify the education or training needed for their desired occupation.
As a teacher, you can join your students and watch them learn and get inspired!
As an employer, we invite you to participate in our initiative. Our schools need you! Getting
involved is as easy as getting in touch with the Industry-Education Council of Hamilton.
For further information, please contact us by email at [email protected] or via phone at
905-529-4483.
P A G E 3
March 10th, 2009 marked the day of the revamped Careerapalooza. As a fresh and interactive approach
towards aiding the youth of Hamilton through career exploration, this year’s Careerapalooza evolved to be
more than just a regular career expo and job fair. The innovation and creativity behind Careerapalooza
attracted over 2500 youth, all eager to explore their future prospects. One of the many wonderful things
about Careerapalooza is that its goal to assist Hamilton’s youth in exploring future opportunities is not
limited to only students – all youth (ages 15-30) in or out of school are eagerly invited to attend.
The secret ingredient behind this year’s Careerapalooza that made it stand out among past Careerapalooza
events was mostly the creative new format. Careerapalooza 2009 was hands-on, interactive, interesting,
and most importantly – fun. After all, the future should look exciting to youth instead of being a dull
prospect.
Among the many exhibitors representing a wide variety of career communities, there was also the unique
approach of having presenters and workshops. One of them was Interview Idol in which students were
tested and trained in how to handle job interviews. Youth were given the opportunity to interact with all
exhibitors and presenters, and participate in workshops. By having such high levels of interaction teamed
with enthusiasm and high energy, the youth of Hamilton were engaged and also enthusiastic about their
future options.
The next element in what made this year’s Careerapalooza so successful was the huge amount of
participation from the community of Hamilton – all the exhibitors, presenters, media attention,
volunteers, teachers, and of course, the youth. This is a wonderful thing because strong participation from
the community only ensures more awareness being spread about the variety of career options out there,
and more youth hopping on board to seek out their futures.
This year’s Careerapalooza sent the message to the community that Hamilton is ready for business and the
youth of Hamilton are eager and excited about their future.
Next year? Careerapalooza will only get better. For 2010, we aim to have even more exhibitors and
presenters and make them even more accessible to the youth.
In partnership with the Youth Employment Network, we would also like to give a special thanks to the
Careerapalooza Advisory Committee.
For more information, please contact Beth Gibson at [email protected].
In partnership with the Youth Employment Network, The Industry-Education
Council of Hamilton would like to thank the following sponsors of
Careerapalooza:
Without you, Careerapalooza could not have been possible! Thanks again!
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3
P A G E 4 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3
Partners in Education Breakfast
Teacher Spotlight
It seems fitting that Hamilton’s current economic issues were brought to light during the Partners in Education
Breakfast. The theme of this year’s breakfast was focused on lifelong learning, in relation to our latest project,
Rebound: Mature Workers Back in Action. Rebound was a one year research study, community consultation and
report to determine the myths and realities surrounding the employment of mature workers.
Paul Muller, the program manager of Rebound presented the findings of the project. He explained how the goal of
the project was to discover how mature workers 45-plus could be assisted by the overall community to re-enter
the workforce. The results of Rebound found it essential for mature workers to continue their education and
strengthen computer and communication skills. Just like the slogan of this year’s breakfast stated, “Career changes
and lifelong learning go hand-in-hand.”
Two important speakers were present at the breakfast to provide empowering speeches. One was the
Honourable John Milloy, the Minister of Training, Colleges, and University, who offered a solution for
workers with Second Career, an Ontario government program designed to help workers who have been laid off to
find new careers. Another speaker was Dr. Nancy Irwin, who offered hope while sharing inspirational stories
from her book, YOU-TURN: Changing Direction in Midlife, featuring stories of real people over 40 who made
significant changes in their lives. Dr. Irwin herself is no stranger to mid-life career changes having started out as an
opera singer, then switching to become a stand-up comedian before choosing to pursue a doctorate in psychology.
The motivational breakfast also included the traditional Excellence in Education Awards ceremony.
The Educator Award recognizes local excellence in education. It is meant to celebrate the extraordinary educators
who go truly above-and-beyond in educating our youth.
As Pictured Above: Beth Gibson, Vesna Pankerichan
We would just like to congratulate Vesna Pankerichan for winning the Award of Excellence in Coop-
erative education. This award is donated by Career/Life Skills resources and was presented at the Ontario
Cooperative Education Association (OCEA) Annual Spring Conference.
Vesna is a very deserving recipient of the award, and we are so happy for her!
On that note, it should come as no surprise that Vesna was also awarded a $500 prize by the Industry-
Education Council of Hamilton for assisting with securing the most exhibitors at Careerapalooza 2009.
Congratulations, Vesna on your amazing achievements!
Nancy Castura,
St. Mary Catholic
Secondary School
Art Heidebrecht,
McMaster University
Stan Hunter, Orchard
Park Secondary School
Sarah Kondo, Adelaide
Hoodless School
Professor Ray Louter,
Redeemer University
College
Brian, Minaji, Mohawk
College of Applied Arts
and Technology
Mark Mitchell, Hillfield
Strathallan College
Heidy Peragine,
Hillfield Strathallan
College
Dorothy Spence,
Hamilton-Wentworth
District School Board
Congratulations again to
the winners!
The winners of this year’s Educator Awards were:
P A G E 5 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3
McKinnon Hair Design Inc. has been an outstanding business in
Hamilton for over 27 years. Chris and Andy McKinnon attribute their
success to providing respect and the highest level of service possible to
insure client satisfaction and guarantee their return business. Denise Vedell,
their salon manager, has over 25 years of customer service behind her,
thereby furthering the McKinnon standards of client relationship building by
providing that “extra” effort to rise above the normal level of expectations.
McKinnon Hair Design has been using ApprenticeSearch.com since around
2000, and regularly posts job openings for quality hairstylists. In the past
year, they have signed on Sonja and Pavielyne, and share these successes
with other business associates. They find the website is easy to use, time efficient, and one of the
most valuable tools for quality job seekers in their field Since the salon is becoming even busier, they
will use our pre-screening service to assist their search for those extraordinary employees.
Denise feels that every employer should use this website as a major resource for finding the level of
experienced stylists required for the job. Through respect and continual training of their employees
paid for by the salon, McKinnon Hair Design retains them and this consistency of service provision
insures the continuing success of this iconic Hamilton Salon.
For more information, please contact Sharon or Lorraine at [email protected].
Student Spotlight
As Pictured Above:
Pavielyn, Denise Vedell
As Pictured Above:
Erica Manherz
We would like to thank Erica Manherz for her impressive contribution to Careerapalooza 2009. Erica went
above and beyond by presenting us with a beautiful mural that transcended anything our imaginations could
have conjured up.
In March 2009, We approached Westdale Secondary School to enlist one of their Specialist High Skills
Major Arts & Culture students to design a mural for our Careerapalooza event.
Our request was simple… a modest banner with career communities labelled which would, in turn, be a place
for students to sign their name.
Almost immediately we were provided with a student’s name—Erica Manherz—and her interest in
volunteering for this unique project. She had a rather tight deadline of one week to complete this task...did we
mention that work was completed after school hours?
In any event, the day prior to Careerapalooza we went to Westdale to pick up the mural. To our surprise and
delight, Erica provided us with not only a place where students could sign their name, but grey and white
paintings depicting each career community! Erica took a rather basic request and transformed this into a work
of art!
As mentioned above, Erica is enrolled in Westdale Secondary School’s Arts & Culture Special High Skills
Major program. Her talent and initiative is a clear indicator that she has a bright future ahead.
Thank you Erica! We are grateful for your time, effort, and talent put into the development of this amazing
piece of art.
Employer Spotlight
Student Spotlights
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3 P A G E 6
As pictured above: Nick
As pictured above: Shannon
Nick, IEC co-op student Shannon, IEC co-op student Personally I felt I wasn’t getting enough of what I
wanted from school. By taking on co-op, it
opened up my eyes to what I can achieve. Co-op
gave me full hands-on experience to the career
sector of my choice. By doing so, I saved a lot of
time and money. Co-op gave me the chance to
decide whether or not it was what I wanted to
do for the rest of my life. Co-op gave me great
experiential learning and experience. It’s great
that I got to skip ahead and find out if the career
I chose was right for me or not. In my opinion,
more places should take on co-op students
because it’s so beneficial for both the organiza-
tion and the students.
I still remember my first day going to co-op,
expecting to do very little and gain very little. It
turned out I was completely wrong. Since the day
I started as a co-op student, I have learned a huge
amount of things. Thanks to my mentor and
everyone else in the office, I now know how to
work on so many new programs. It has also
improved my confidence because this placement
made me feel that I played an important part in all
of their events. Before this placement, I would
have never thought of going into the marketing
industry or anything that has to do with a group.
Now my horizons have been broadened and my
choices in a career.
As Pictured Above:
Tyler Baldwin, George
Kapetan-Georgiou, Sean
Phommavong, Selmir Hamzic
George Kapetan-Georgiou is no stranger to being in the position of authority, and using discipline.
The former army sergeant now works at Chris’ Garage, and has been taking in co-op students for the
past 19 years. Some characteristics from his previous career just might have carried over to how he
handles his co-op students, including features like perseverance and dedication with a vision in mind. He
refuses to accept anything less than a job done well (and done right), but steadfastly holds onto even his
uncooperative co-op students in his mission to train them right. And train them right, he does.
George refuses to give up on his co-op students. Instead, he perseveres until he gets his message
across. This technique obviously works for him – George hires the majority of his co-op students
permanently and he has been doing it for 19 years. With his high standards for what he expects from his
employees, he wouldn’t hire anyone less than ideal. In the fast-paced world we live in today where
employees may seem almost disposable, students may benefit in unimaginable ways from his resolute
faith in them and refusal to quit on them.
His open-mindedness towards taking on co-op students may also be another way of handing these
students a map to a different road they didn’t know existed.
By offering these students an opportunity to experience co-op, it potentially offers them a better future.
There is also the benefit, he finds, of being able to work with young kids and steer them in the right
direction. If anything, it opens their eyes and helps them prepare for what could be ahead of them. He
has found satisfaction in succeeding with co-op students, and helping out with his community. He also
thinks it’s great to be able to challenge the youth to get them to meet their potential, while passing on
his knowledge and training.
“It doesn’t cost anything but a few minutes of your time” George adds.
Why not take on a co-op student?
Follow George’s example
and get involved today at
Statistics Canada reported that in 2007, over a million Canadians worked in skilled trades. Since the
decline in the 1990’s, employment growth has been an average of 2.2% a year which is actually higher than
the non-trades growth of 2.0%. This evidence suggests that employment in the skilled trades is growing quite
steadily, a trend that we all hope will continue.
However, one might question if this trend can possibly continue in this economic recession we’re all
currently facing. With the recession, building and construction projects could be decreased which could
result in less need for skilled trades workers. Statistics Canada does show that in the recession of the
1990’s, the unemployment rate of skilled trades was particularly higher than for other occupations. It was
only after the recession that the employment rate for skilled trades began to steadily climb. From this
evidence, one can conclude that all the growth in skilled trades may only drop sharply in the near future.
But wait! Evidence suggests that this time around, skilled trades occupations can survive – and possibly even
thrive – during this economic downturn.
• Baby boomers are retiring, which leads to more openings in all areas of employment including skilled
trades. More room for Canadians to fill in the spaces of skilled-trades occupations could offset the
negative effects of this recession.
• The 2009 Ontario Budget invests $700 million over two years in new skills training and literacy
initiatives and increases to existing programs. These measures are designed to respond quickly to the
immediate challenges of the global economic slowdown while preparing the province's workforce for
the new economy.
• Since 2001, the Ontario government has been investing in apprenticeship through the Apprenticeship
Enhancement Fund and the Ontario Skills Training Enhancement Program to ensure apprenticeship
growth. The government is investing $55 million over three years for infrastructure, and equipment at
community colleges and training centres - so that apprentices and journeypersons can train in state-of-
the-art facilities.
It is important to work on fighting the pattern of the previous recession, and continue to grow our skilled
trades sector! With all the hard work being put into evolving our skilled trades sector, it is obvious that
skilled trades workers are quite important.
It has also been stated by the government of Ontario that the government strongly believes that a strong
and modern skilled trades sector is vital to Ontario’s economic prosperity.
Skilled Trades V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3 P A G E 7
Interesting Tidbits: • According to Statistics Canada, self-employment is a growing
phenomenon amount tradespersons. In 1987, only 9% of trades workers
were self-employed; by 2007 this increased to 15%.
• Statistics Canada shows that in 2007, employees in the trades averaged
$22.36 in hourly earnings which is 6% higher than $21.02 for other
occupations. The highest earners were electricians ($25.26), crane
operators ($24.61), and plumbers ($24.10).
• Statistics Canada also shows that there is an increasing number of females
in trades occupations. There was an increase from 3.7% in 1996, to 28.9%
in 2006.
As Pictured Above: Hamilton-
Wentworth District School
Board’s Technological Education
Skills Contest, April 2009—
Mohawk STARRT Centre
• Ambulatory Health Care
• Nursing Residential Care
• Social assistance
• Food Services and Drinking Places
• Food and Beverage Wholesalers
• Food and Beverage Stores
• Building Material and Garden Equipment Dealers
• Health and Personal Care stores
• Construction of buildings, heavy and civil construction and specialty trade contractors
• Food manufacturing
• Miscellaneous Manufacturing (such as medical equipment, jewelry and silverware, sporting
goods, and office supplies)
• Waste Management and Remediation Services
• Couriers and messengers
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (such as legal, accounting, architectural,
engineering, computer systems, scientific R&D, and advertising)
Future Jobs V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3
In the May 2009, the Hamilton Training Advisory Board’s ‘Workforce Focus’ publication looked at promising occupations in the
future, provincial trends, and local opportunities.
P A G E 8
Recession Resistant Sectors A look at expanding sectors in Ontario from December 2007-2008:
Nancy Di Gregorio, Superintendent, Hamilton-Wentworth
Catholic District School Board
Diane Dent, Professor, Faculty of French, Redeemer University
College
Lloyd Ferguson, Ward 12 City Councillor, City of Hamilton
Art Heidebrecht, Executive Director, Bachelor of Technology
Program, McMaster University
Lily Lumsden, General Manager, YMCA Career Development
and Learning
Rick McClure, Training Manager, US Steel Canada
Ron Rambarran, Vice Principal, Columbia International College
Angelo Ricci, Manager, Bank of Montreal
Chris Spence, Director of Education, Hamilton-Wentworth
District School Board
Louise Taylor Green, Vice President, Human Resources and
Organization Development, Hamilton Health Sciences
BOARD EXECUTIVE
Marcel Castura, Director, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic
District School Board
Cheryl Jensen, VP, Technology, Apprenticeship and Corporate
Training, Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology
Tim McCabe, General Manager, Planning and Economic
Development, City of Hamilton
Beryl Roberto, Retired President and CEO, Teachers Credit
Union
Pat Rocco, Superintendent, Hamilton-Wentworth District
School Board
Mark Zega, Barrister and Solicitor, Evans, Philp
DIRECTORS
Ron Bailey, Team Leader Human Resources, Professional
Development, ArcelorMittal Dofasco
Shawn Chamberlin, President, Light Computer Centre
IEC Board of Directors
Special thanks to our valuable sponsors: ArcelorMittal Dofasco Inc.
CHML Radio
City of Hamilton
Columbia International College
Employment Ontario
Hamilton Community Foundation
Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology
Ontario Ministry of Education
Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Redeemer University College
Service Canada
Teachers Credit Union
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3 P A G E 9