In this Week's Edition:

Hamilton's Labour Force Information December 2022, EmployerOne Survey 2023, EmployerOne Completion Badge, Connect To Careers Conference 2023, Who's Hiring In Hamilton, Happening in the Community: (Legal Clinic at YWCA, Culinary Arts & PSW Open House, Computer Class for Beginners, Newcomer Book Club, CHAMPP4KIDS Study, Goodwill Workshops: February Calendar, ABEA: Better Jobs Ontario) and News: "How employers can take the lead to welcome jobseekers with disabilities" and "Leaders: Rise to the challenge of ensuring workplace well-being!"

Labour Force December 2022

Review Hamilton's Labour Force Information for December 2022

EmployerOne Survey 2023!

Workforce Planning Hamilton (WPH) in partnership with the City of Hamilton's Economic Development Office have launched the 2023 EmployerOne Survey. This survey features important workforce development questions, and focuses on the challenges businesses have endured throughout the global pandemic. Hamilton employers across all industries have the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns.

While census information offers us an understanding of labour market trends, the EmployerOne Survey provides an up-to-date snapshot of the Hamilton labour market and insights into how we can continue to move our economy forward. It also keeps us in touch with a wide range of employers of all sectors and sizes.

This survey has approximately 30 questions and will take 15 minutes to complete. The findings will only be published in an aggregated form to maintain the confidentiality of all survey respondents.

Click here to participate in the survey as a Hamilton Employer!

Employers who complete the survey have the chance to be entered into a draw to win a booth at the upcoming 'Connect to Careers' conference (valued at over $700)

EmployerOne Completion Badge!

Employers (for-profit business, not-for-profit business, or registered charity) completing the 2023 EmployerOne survey will provide Workforce Planning Hamilton and the City of Hamilton with critical and timely data on business and workforce needs in Hamilton. Every organization that completes this survey is demonstrating their commitment to charting an evidence-based course for our future.

Upon completion of the EmployerOne survey, you can proudly display this badge to showcase your support in providing such critical data on the workforce needs of Hamilton businesses.

Connect To Careers Conference 2023

Connect to Careers is the best way to find and recruit new talent — presented in partnership by McMaster University, Mohawk College, Redeemer University and Workforce Planning Hamilton.

With years of experience hosting successful job fairs, we can help you meet your recruitment goals and hire qualified candidates for your open positions. Attend Connect to Careers to meet with a diverse audience of motivated students, recent grads and community members. Returning to FirstOntario Centre this year, this in-person event provides an easy, effective way to network and make connections.

We're pleased to announce that we’re partnering with the McMaster University Nursing Student Society (MUNSS), a student body of BSCN students from all sites (McMaster, Mohawk, Conestoga) and all streams (Basic, Accelerated, RPN-BScN). Nursing graduates and current students from all three sites of the collaborative program, Mohawk and Conestoga RPN students will be attending the fair.

Why participate?

• Connect with qualified job seekers.

• Recruit for full-time, part-time, summer and co-op positions.

• Leverage your time and effort and reduce recruitment costs.

• Meet face to face with more than 2,000 students and alumni from three top Hamilton institutions, as well as job seekers from the Hamilton community.

$650 per employer booth (sponsorship packages are available)

If you are part of a not-for-profit organization with fewer than 20 employees, you can register at the reduced fee of $350 (CAD) plus HST.  

Register here!

Legal Clinic at YWCA

The previous Legal Clinic scheduled for Wednesday, January 25^th, was cancelled due to the inclement weather. The event is now rescheduled for Wednesday, February 1^st

10 am-12 pm. 

Culinary Arts & PSW Open House

St. Charles @ 150 East 5^th (mountain) will be offering an Open House for Our Culinary Arts and Personal Support Worker programs.

Monday, January 30, 1-2 pm.

Computer Class for Beginners

St. Charles @ 150 East 5^th (Mountain) will soon be offering a FREE computer basics class. Feb 1-22.

Newcomer Book Club

The Newcomer Learning Centre at the Hamilton Public Library will be hosting our next Newcomer Book Club in February. On Thursday February 9th, and Thursday February 16th, we will discuss the book Wonder (Level 3) in-person in the Newcomer Learning Centre classroom on the 4^th floor of Central Library.

If you have anyone who may be interested in joining us, please give them our information. They can register by coming down to Central Library at the Newcomer Learning Centre desk by Tuesday January 31st. Books will be given during registration. Only 12 spots are available.

The Newcomer Learning Centre desk is open for registration on:

• Monday’s, Tuesday’s, Thursday’s from 10:00am-4:00pm
• Wednesday’s from 1:00pm-7:00pm
• Friday’s from 10:00am-1:00pm

COVID-19 has disrupted adult and child functioning worldwide. In response, the Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) group, in collaboration with WHO/ UNICEF developed resources to reach parents at the population level. These evidence-based resources are aimed at imparting knowledge and tools with the goal of assisting children to reach their potential.

The need for these materials extends beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, where gaps in parenting program delivery and uptake already existed and have widened due to additional stressors that both caregivers and the organizations are now carrying. It is currently unknown whether the tips and strategies developed by the PLH group would be acceptable and feasible in the Canadian context, or whether adaptations are required.

You are being invited to participate in this questionnaire because you are a provider, therapist, counsellor, or psychotherapist (hereafter collectively referred to as "provider") that works within an Ontario-based family mental health organization or agency. The purpose of this questionnaire is to gain more insight and perspectives on the feasibility and acceptability of the PLH materials for families with children aged 2-6 years old. 

Please share your feedback as a champion of parenting. Click https://www.champp4kids.com/professionals to participate in our short survey. It will take 15-20 minutes and you will receive a $20 gift card for your participation.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me directly, gonzal@mcmaster.ca

ABEA: Better Jobs Ontario

We'll work with you to:

• find training programs you're interested in 
• explore the skills you'll need for the training 
• develop a plan
• connect with an Employment Service to support you with your application 

Connect with us today!  www.abea.on.ca  pathways@abea.on.ca  

How employers can take the lead to welcome jobseekers with disabilities

“If diversity is inviting people to the party, inclusion is asking someone to dance.” Diversity and inclusion are two big buzz words in our society today. Everyone wants to have a party, but how do we ensure that everyone has a good time and can boogie on the dance floor?

Job hunting after graduation is like moving from the wall to the dance floor. It can be an awkward and intimidating process, yet so rewarding once you start moving to the beat. With the workforce consistently evolving and changing, it can be a challenge for new grads to figure out how to get their foot in the door. This is an important consideration within the school-to-work transition, including for students with disabilities.

Job hunting after graduation can be a particularly challenging experience for new grads with disabilities. While our society is adapting a more inclusive mindset, there are still some barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing the workforce. Although it takes two to tango, employers need to take the lead in this dance. Despite the challenges, there are simple steps employers can take to attract a diversity of talent into their organization.

Unlearn and open your mind.

Claiming to be a diverse organization is not sufficient. Society needs to unlearn its perception on diversity and inclusion. Generally, our mind gravitates to think of the physical differences that make people unique. Neurodiversity often gets left out of the discussion, intersectionality is disregarded and the focus is set on people’s limits instead of their abilities.

Read more here!

Leaders: Rise to the challenge of ensuring workplace well-being!

Well-being is hard to quantify, so it often ends up in the bucket of projects “we will get to one day when we have time.” Yet making sure your team is physically well and psychologically safe is a constant for all team leaders.

I run a coaching practice with a focus on collective well-being, kind leaders and positive workplaces – all informed by a growth mindset. Prompted by my observations of a very fatigued workforce in late 2021, I started questioning what was really going on and looking for ways to better support my clients in a very practical way.

The importance of well-being, particularly mental health, has always been a focus of mine. Around six years ago, after extensive research, I developed an Engagement and Well-being Index – a survey for my clients to complete as a kind of conversation starter. I have found the Index particularly useful over the past two years as it has often helped clients get some clarity around exactly what they need to address when it comes to living at their best, what’s missing, what needs more attention and what is working well.

In the Index, I’ve outlined five pillars of life engagement and well-being:

1. Connection
2. Purpose
3. Success
4. Health
5. Creativity

These pillars are integral to good overall health and engagement in life. ‘Connection’ is the foundational pillar, as our relationships affect the other pillars in multiple ways.

Healthy relationships, that sense of belonging and the self-worth we gain from contributing to the lives of others can inform our purpose and how successful we feel, affect our health and allow self-expression/creativity to flourish.

Organizations have a role to play to support employee engagement and well-being. Being an employer of choice equates to good workplace culture. At work, people can foster positive connections, feel like they belong, develop and maintain a sense of purpose, feel competent and be at their best.

Read more here!