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Laura Diaz: Program Facilitator Adam Krygier: Employment Facilitator
Newcomers in Trades: Opportunities, Challenges, and Successes.
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Let’s take a Journey!
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Imagine... every person in Calgary can have a sustainable livelihood and contribute to their community…..
“Momentum uses a Community Economic Development (CED) approach that offers hope and opportunity to people living in poverty. An economic approach is at the core of CED, but only works if we look at the whole picture—money, self and others. We work with all Calgarians who are ready to move out of poverty, for good.”
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Trades Program Overview25 Weeks
Academic Upgrading Technical Training Work Experience
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Challenges
Solutions
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Curriculum Challenges
• Low number of passing marks • Labour market challenges • Less employment
opportunities
Communication Math Science Life Skills Employability
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Curriculum Solutions
1. Real trades focused learning2. Increased alignment with the labour market
needs 3. Don’t say English …. Say Communication
skills
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Evaluation Outcomes
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Technical Training & Work Experience
• 6 weeks of technical training at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
• Curriculum designed to offer basic skills and theory in the trade - Benefits
• 6 weeks of Work Experience with employer partner
• Provides real world, hands-on exposure to work in the field
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Employer Engagement
• Recruitment• Low cost training• Diverse workforce• Corporate Social Responsibility
Development of long term employer partnerships
Program informed by industry needs
Benefits for the Employer
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Challenges and Successes
• Managing Participant expectations
• Managing Employer expectations: Skill level and Communication
• Overcoming bias and pre-conceived notions
• Labour Market barriers
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Post-Program Support and Journeys Program
14 day, 90 day, 180 day Follow-up
On-going coaching and support• Job search strategies• Networking opportunities
Journeys Program• Employment supports• System Navigation• Academic Supports• Mentorship• Essential Skills
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Lets meet Jag!
Add video clip here
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Newcomers in Trades:
Opportunities,
Challenges and
Successes Kendra Duval
YMCA-YWCA of the National
Capital Region
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Background – The Y’s Trades Programs
YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region
Child Care & Camping
Housing, Employment & Newcomer
Services
Housing programs (various)
Language Assessment & Referral Centre
Employment Ontario
Employment Service
Power of Trades / Puissance des métiers
(2011)
Pre-apprenticeship for Home
Renovations (2016)
Build ON Bâtit Pre-Arrival Service
(2015)
Immigrants in Trades Awareness
Program (2017)
Newcomer Information
Centre
Health, Fitness and
Aquatics
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Curriculum Overview
Power of Trades Pre-Apprenticeship
6 weeks of training 6 months of training
Health and safety training (WHMIS, Working at Heights, First Aid + CPR)
Health and safety training (WHMIS, Working at Heights, First Aid + CPR)
Pre-employment training + individual support
Pre-employment training + individual support
1 co-op credit + prior learning assessment and recognition
3 co-op credits + prior learning assessment and recognition
Open to all trades – help with trade equivalency assessment
240 hours ESL for Trades + academic upgrading in numeracy and literacy
Access to financial support for tools, skills training, trade equivalency process, etc.
300 hours training in carpentry, drywall, tile setting, painting, floor covering installation + free tools
3-6 week co-op placement 8 week paid co-op placement
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Power of Trades Data (2011-2018) 18 Groups Completed 13 English; 5 French
245 Participants 203 men; 42 women
Average age: 37 Average length of time in Canada before
participating in Power of Trades: approx. 3 years
Funded by:
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One-on-one meetings with Job
Developer throughout program
Experience in the field through co-op
work placement
Financial help with tools, transportation
and equipment needed to start work
Continuing Education teacher supports academic credits toward high
school diploma
Certification in First Aid, WHMIS,
Working at Heights, Worker Health and Safety and Service
Excellence
Application form, language assessment
and interview
Orientation/welcome session
Begin training
(6 weeks, PT)
(6 months, Pre-app)
Academic and pre-employment training
+
Technical training (Pre-app only)
Client Pathway
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33%
31%
36%
Participants by Experience Category (2011-2018)
Experienced (5+ yrs)
Some Experience (2-4 yrs)
Inexperienced (< 2yrs)
Demographics (Groups 1-18)
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10%10%
5%7%
68%
Positive Outcomes Summary
TEA
Apprentice
Training
Placement
Job
Participant Outcomes – Groups 1 to 15
74%
26%
Participant Outcomes
Positive
Negative
*Results at 1 year post-program
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• Discovered interests were not in skilled trades
• Very new to Canada
• Left Canada
• Reason for immigration
• Status uncertainty
• Family-related issues
• Health problems
• Age
Participant Outcomes – Why “negative?”
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ymcaywca.ca
Dejene left Ethiopia in search of a more stable life. He lived as a refugee in Yemen for 18 years before immigrating to Canada with his wife and two young children.
Despite many years of experience as a carpenter and cabinetmaker, Dejene’s lack of education and English language skills made it difficult for him to find a job. He worked nights as a dishwasher and took English language courses during the day. After connecting with an employment consultant, Dejene found the YMCA-YWCA Power of Trades program.
After six weeks, Dejene secured a work placement through the program. Thanks to that placement, he now has a full-time job and hope for the future. He has worked at Visser Manufacturing for nearly 4 years.
Dejene Power of Trades Participant
YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region
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ymcaywca.ca
Bart
Power of Trades Participant
YMCA-YWCA of the
National Capital Region
Bart De Cock immigrated to Canada from Belgium with his wife. With a guaranteed job offer as a full-time Elevator Technician, his journey to Canada seemed ideal. However, during his employment, his local union went on strike and without knowing the regulations, Bart continued to work. This misinformed action ultimately led to his outcast from the industry. Despite Bart’s extremely high level of technical skills, he was no longer able to attain employment in his trade. A simple mistake cost him the ability to work in the industry. Bart persevered and applied for the Power of Trades program at the YMCA-YWCA. Following the 6 week program, Bart secured a full-time position as a Technician for a multinational corporation, Beumer Group. Bart performs troubleshooting and works with cutting edge technology every day. He still loves his job 3 years later.
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Pre-Apprenticeship Data (2016-2018) 2 Groups Completed
English only 40 Participants
37 men; 3 women Average age: 35
98% Program Completion Rate 83% Placement Rate
Funded by:
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ymcaywca.ca
Diyako is originally from Iran and Mohamad is his Kurdish name. Due to the situation in his home country at the time, Diyako had to leave Iran and enter Turkey as a refugee. When Diyako came across the six-month Pre-Apprenticeship Home Renovation Training Program provided by the YMCA-YWCA, he knew this was his calling. He successfully completed the program in November 2016 and secured employment prior to graduation. Diyako has now been working for over two years in his field and he is extremely happy seeing his work at the end of each day. “When I arrived in Canada I made a promise to myself – Canada saved my life, and now I have to do something for Canada, even if it is a small thing, I should do something back for the Canadian people” – Diyako
Mohamad (Diyako)
Pre-Apprenticeship Home
Renovation Program
Participant
YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region
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External Partnerships:
• Local school boards at the secondary school level
• English as a Second Language/Language Instruction for Newcomers
• Accredited health and safety training institutions
• Private sector companies
Internal Synergies:
• Newcomers in Trades Programs
• Employment Ontario Employment Services
• Newcomer Information Centre
• Language Assessment and Referral Centre
Successes - Key Partnerships
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Language assessment
Credits toward high school diploma
Health and safety training
Pre-employment and technical training
Tools and equipment
Transportation to work/training
Networking opportunities
Help with trade equivalency process
Support for Participants
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• Address employer needs/concerns • Options for engagement
• Offer support/incentives
• Focus on small/medium companies
• Pre-screening and match
• Health and safety training
• Workplace insurance
• Identify workplace mentor
• Provide job retention support
Employer Engagement
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Immigrants in Trades Awareness Program:
Employer Engagement Survey
Preliminary Findings
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• 32 employers
• 85% of companies had < 75 employees
• 77% were non-union
• Sector representation: 45% construction, 28% motive power, 22% service, 5% industrial
• Desired skills: • Trade licenses, health and safety training/certifications
• Physical abilities, strong work ethic, self-motivation
• Communication skills (85% need basic/intermediate English)
• Loyalty/dedication, teamwork
• Creativity, Attention to detail
• Experience
Employer Engagement Survey
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Attitudes towards hiring:
Most companies find it hard to fill trades positions
80% of respondents have taken or are willing to take apprentices
65% of respondents hired Immigrants over time in their respective trades
Those employers who had not hired an immigrant said:
They never had the opportunity to hire an immigrant
They would hire an immigrants “only if they are licensed”
“Experienced immigrants do things differently and it’s very hard to change that”
Employer Engagement Results
Future engagement
40% of respondents currently access recruitment services
Over 67% of employers are not aware of the existence of dedicated service providers willing to
support them in hiring trades persons
90% of respondents would appreciate recruitment support if offered
70% of respondents are interested in attending employer events about apprenticeship, regulations
and labour sources
60% of respondents are interested in receiving an electronic newsletter featuring labour market
information, industry updates and current affairs
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• Participant diversity
• Managing expectations
• Employer engagement
• Participant recruitment
• Education about trades
• Bilingualism
• Inflexibility of funding
• Settlement/personal issues
Challenges
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• Low staff to participant ratios
• Screening/interview processes for training
• Alternative service – individual consultation
• Remaining flexible to changing career goals
• Redefining “positive outcomes”
• Engaging employers on an individual basis
• Multiple funders/leveraging key partnerships
• Ongoing client support
• Alumni engagement
Best Practices & Lessons Learned
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YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region
180 Argyle Ave., Ottawa, ON
www.ymcaywca.ca
Kendra Duval Senior Director,
Employment and Immigrant Services
613-788-5001 ext. 5035
http://www.ymcaywca.ca/mailto:[email protected]
A5_MomentumCommunityEconomicDevelopment Slide Number 1Let’s take a Journey! Slide Number 3Trades Program Overview�25 Weeks ChallengesCurriculum Challenges Curriculum Solutions Evaluation Outcomes Technical Training & Work Experience Employer Engagement Challenges and SuccessesPost-Program Support and Journeys ProgramSlide Number 13
A5_YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region