December 2016  NEWSLETTER
Dear all,

November was a busy month at Skills for Change, with ongoing classes, workshops and large and small scale events. And as the year comes to an end, we look to 2017 and the many activities planned for the year. We are excited to launch promotions on our 2017 Diversity@Work conference, being held February 23rd at St. James Cathedral Centre. This year's theme is "The Changing Faces of Diversity: Strategies, Tools and Approaches for the Emerging Workforce." We have a great line-up of speakers this year, on topics as Neurodiversity & Mental Health, Intercultural Communications, Youth and the Workforce and much more. We'd like to thank The Chang School - Ryerson University, First Work: Ontario Association of Youth Employment Centres, and CPA-Ontario for your partnership of this event. Details to follow in the coming weeks; information on partnerships for this event or tickets are in the newsletter, below.

Our annual Trades Expo took place on November 24th and it was a huge success. The goal of this SfC signature event is to connect attendees with training and employment information including job opportunities in various skilled trades sectors in the Greater Toronto Area. This free event is geared at tradespersons and potential tradespersons. The Expo featured interactive exhibits, live demos and recruitment opportunities. We would like to thank everyone involved in organizing this event, especially our dedicated staff who supported the event by promoting it to clients and employers, providing assistance with registration, setup, tear down and logistics. We are looking forward to our 2017 Trades Expo! We had a number of events take place in November, and you can read more about these events in this newsletter.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, volunteers and our Board for their hard work and dedication in 2016, and I'd like to wish you all Seasons Greetings! I hope you all take time out of your busy schedules to enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones.

We encourage you to read through the newsletter to see more details about our programs and services, and we encourage you to contact us at communications@skillsforchange.org for more information about our work

Happy Holidays!

Warm regards,

Surranna Sandy
Chief Executive Officer

SfC's Employment Services Info Session
On November 2nd, in partnership with triOS College, Skills for Change employment specialists delivered an information session about employment programs and services available in our Employment Ontario locations. We had great discussions about Linked-In and Marketing tips to employment. Thank you triOS College for having us!
2016 Skilled Trades Expo
On November 24th we hosted our annual Trades Expo at Metro Hall. The event featured 28 exhibitors including public and private colleges, unions, employers and recruiters showcasing skilled trades job opportunities, employment and training programs. We had close to 500 attendees and speakers from Ontario College of Trades and Toronto Workforce Innovation Group. We would like to thank all of our exhibitors and volunteers who helped to make this Expo the biggest one yet!  Click here to see all the pictures of the event. The 2017 Trades Expo will be announced shortly, so stay tuned for details of how you can get involved!
2016 Annual Accounting Symposium
On November 30th Skills for Change and CPA Ontario hosted the bi-annual Accounting Symposium. The event featured several speakers and panelists who shared their experience in the accounting and finance fields, including a keynote address by Mustafa Nasarali, co-founder, President, Appreciate, Believe. Create! Inc. Attendees found the day extremely helpful in developing their careers in these fields. We would like to thank CPA Ontario for their ongoing partnership, which has allowed Skills for Change clients and community to know more about the advantages of the CPA designation and the accounting and finance job markets.  
New Class Sessions for January & Other SfC News
LINC
Want to improve your English? Learn Canadian culture and participate in field trips throughout the GTA. Language Instruction for Newcomer to Canada (LINC) levels 4/5 and 6/7 is the answer. Session 4 is in progress and will end on December 16, 2016. Session 5 will commence January 3, 2017. LINC runs on continuous intake. We offer child care through the Care for Newcomer Children (CNC) program for LINC participants with children from 19 months to 5 years of age. Registrants must be assessed by the YMCA to be eligible for the LINC program.

There will be no LINC classes running during the period of December 19, 2016 - January 2, 2016, however staff will still be available to register participants.

Please contact  Faduma Muse at
fmuse@skillsforchange.org or call 416-658-3101 ext. 229

ELT
Are you an Internationally-trained Engineering/IT or Retail Sales Management professional? Learn Canadian workplace culture, sector-specific terminology and prepare to secure employment in your profession through our Enhanced Language Training (ELT) program. The current session commenced on November 14, 2016 and will end on December 16, 2016. The next session will commence on January 3, 2017. Registrants must be assessed by the YMCA to be eligible for the LINC program.

There will be no ELT classes running during the period of December 19, 2016 - January 2, 2017, however staff will still be available to register participants for the next session.

Contact Mevin Sannaseeaya at msannaseeaya@skillsforchange.org or 416-658-3101 ext. 206.

ESL/Medical Terminology, CLB 7/8 
This ESL program will help learners develop specific communication skills necessary to work in a medical environment. Curriculum includes the introduction of essential medical terminology along with basic concepts of medical science and practice, while also enhancing the participant's proficiency in medical English.

This program is 20-weeks long, Saturday's, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. English as a Second Language classes are offered on a continuous intake.

For additional information and to register contact: 416-658-3101 ext. 0.

Settlement
Are you new to Canada and looking for settlement advice in the GTA? Our Settlement Workers will be happy to meet with you and your family to discuss your settlement needs, refer you to services and appropriate support, and prepare an action plan to ensure you are on track to reach your settlement goals.

Contact one of our Settlement Workers:
416-658-3101

Lynda Davey-Longstreet at ext. 232,
ldavey-longstreet@skillsforchange.org

Melike Gokce at ext. 290,
mgokce@skillsforchange.org

Refugee Youth
Are you new to Canada and between the ages of 16-29? Skills for Change facilitates the integration into the Canadian society and workplace culture through workshops, networking activities, information and counselling sessions covering topics such as educational/professional development, financial literacy, health and wellness, and Canadian culture, among others. 

For more information contact:
416-658-3101 ext. 0.

Mentoring for Change
Have you completed an employment preparation program? Need to increase your networks? Still having trouble finding employment? Are you an internationally-trained professional? You may consider getting matched with a mentor in your profession. Mentors can coach and guide you through the Canadian workplace culture or answer questions.   

Want to become a Mentoring Champion?
As a Mentor, you can help job seekers in various ways: Enhance communication skills, sharpen job search techniques and provide guidance to access community information and resources. Consider the rewards of helping to develop others through mentoring. 

Contact Rosaline Graham at
rgraham@skillsforchange.org
or 416-658-3101 x264.
Trades Win Support Program Update
The  Trades Win Support Program provides training and employment support to internationally-trained tradespersons: electricians, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, industrial millwrights and plumbers.  The program is delivered from our Peel (Brampton) and York (Markham) locations and  consists of employment preparation (including occupation-specific language training) delivered by Skills for Change and technical hands-on training delivered by our training partners Humber College or Stanford International College.  Additional supports include: mentoring, work experience placements and job development support.

We are currently recruiting for the following sessions:
Millwrights (433A) - January
Electricians (309A, 442A) - January

Contact Details
Peel (905) 595 1679 ext 103
York (905) 764-0202 ext 101
Mentoring for Change: 
Celebrating Kindness in the City 
Past and present participants of the Mentoring for Change program are invited to "Celebrate Kindness in the City" and be part of good will in action! Join us for an evening of networking and sharing of inspiring stories on December 8, 2016, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at our 791 St. Clair Ave West location. Please contact Rosaline Graham at  rgraham@skillsforchange.org  for more information or register here .
Seniors Community Hub Update
In partnership with the Rose of Sharon Long Term Care Centre, we have successfully launched our first set of senior programming (some of the curriculum topics include art therapy, discussion and game sessions, special networking events). You can see some pictures from the first workshop session held on November 7th here. 
If you are a senior interested in upcoming Financial Literacy Program or in volunteering opportunities at SfC, please contact Jungah Kim at jkim@skillsforchange.com
Bridging the Gap Update
On November 24 we successfully hosted an Internet Safety and Apps for Seniors workshop, through the Bridging the Gap program, in Dundas. We had a great response and many seniors will continue to receive training in the next few weeks.
For more information about this program please contact Kathryn Baker-Reed at kbakerreed@skillsforchange.org.
triOS College Career Fair
Last month our Business Relations Specialist attended triOS College Career Fair and informed attendees about our employment services and programs. Thank you triOS College for having us there!

GET THE EARLY BIRD RATE before JANUARY 6th!

Skills for Change's 8th Annual Diversity@Work Conference
 
The Changing Faces of Workplace Diversity - Strategies, tools and approaches for the emerging workforce.

When:  February 23rd, 2017  9:00am to 4:00pm
  
Where:  St. James Cathedral Centre
65 Church Street 
Toronto, ON 


Eventbrite - 2017 Diversity@Work Conference - The Changing Faces of Work Diversity
Skills for Change


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