What's New
October is Small Business Month
This year, Business Development Canada will celebrate entrepreneurs from Oct. 19 to 25 under the theme:
Small Business Event of the Year
The Toronto Small Business Forum is the event of the year for businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to learn how to achieve and maintain success, explore financing opportunities and network with small business experts. For the second year in a row, the event is organized by Centennial College Centre of Entrepreneurship and the City of Toronto Economic Development Office, Enterprise Toronto. Mark Oct. 20 on your calendar for a day of business education, networking and inspiration!
Guide for Toronto Students
The Toronto Star has printed its second An Insiders' Guide to Colleges and Universities in Greater Toronto. The name speaks for itself. You'll find plenty of details about each college including "the good, the bad and the ugly" and "life after class."
Wellesley Institute Workshops
The Wellesley Institute, which advances community-based research and informs public policy, is offering courses of interest to community groups and nonprofit agencies. These workshops are held in conjunction with the Organizational Learning Program, Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University. Check out the offerings as there's some interesting courses coming up.
ACTEW Temporarily Suspends Operations
Effective immediately, ACTEW (A Commitment to Training and Employment for Women) has temporarily suspended operations. For now the telephone will remain open and the email info@actew.org will be monitored. ACTEW wants to stay open and is planning a fundraising event in November.
Career and Employment Information Specialist Training
Career and employment information is critical to the career decision-making process but the amount of information available can overwhelm job seekers. Skilled professionals are needed to help individuals find and use career and employment information effectively.
From Oct. 27 to 29 a Career and Employment Information Specialist (CEIS) course for staff working in Information Resource Centres is being offered at the Job Skills Practice Firm in Markham. Based on the Forum of Labour Market Ministers' Career and Labour Market Information Service Delivery Guidelines, this course will provide participants with the skills and knowledge to help clients make informed career, educational and job search plans. For more information, check out Job Skills' professional development series (PDF). Please email inquiries to pd@jobskills.org.
TDSB Community Access Programs Offer Online Training
The Toronto District School Board operates Community Access Programs (CAPs) around Toronto and beyond. CAPs help Canadians take advantage of emerging opportunities in the knowledge-based economy. Under CAPs, TDSB schools provide computer support and training. Much of this online training can be found thorough next-steps.ca. Free online training covers computer-related topics and Microsoft applications. Learn how to buy your first computer or create a website using MS Frontpage.
Good and Cheap Presentation
The Canadian Career Information Association (CCIA) presents the Good and Cheap Seminar on Oct. 23 from
Get Into the Flow
Flow is a new monthly newsletter from Charity Village for people interested in careers in Canada's nonprofit sector This monthly newsletter aims to offer tools and inspiration to get job seekers into that "flow zone." Read about people who have done big things in their professional lives, HR managers and recruiters will share tips on managing your career and avoiding burnout, and news and events will keep you on top of your game. You can subscribe for free.
Bhayana Family Foundation Awards
United Way Toronto is pleased to announce the Bhayana Family Foundation Awards to recognize extraordinary contributions made by agency staff. The awards are based on peer nominations received in the following three categories: dedication, innovation and creativity, and team achievement. The dedication, creativity and team spirit shown by employees of agencies funded by United Way Toronto is essential to building communities and neighbourhoods as well as creating a better city for us all.
Campaign Kickoff!
While we're at it, this year's United Way Toronto campaign officially kicked off on Sept. 9 with a goal of $110 million. Many local agencies receive United Way support -- and remember, without you there would be no way.
Immigration Ontario -- Access and Resource Centres
Global Experience Ontario has moved to 163 Queen St. E. This one-stop centre offers a range of services for internationally trained professionals and tradespersons.
Welcome Next Steps
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has launched a new section on its website called next-steps.ca. The section provides information about such TDSB services as language and skills training, apprenticeship training, and employment preparation programs and services.
Low-Income Seniors Can Keep More Earnings
The federal government recently amended the Old Age Security Act to allow low-income seniors who work to keep more of their Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). The amendment increases the GIS earnings exemption to $3,500 from $500. A single pensioner earning $3,500 or more will now be able to keep up to an additional $1,500 in annual GIS benefits.
Second Careers for Ontario Workers
The new Second Career program has been designed to help workers who have been laid off and unemployed within the last year to find new careers. Workers can learn how to transfer their existing skills to other fields in demand, such as health care.
The Second Career program helps participants with tuition, books, living expenses and other retraining costs. Training can take anywhere from six months to two years. (If academic upgrading is needed an additional year can be added.) Check out the detailed guidelines for service providers on the Employment Ontario Partners Gateway website.
The Learning Hub
The Learning Hub is an online service to help learners upgrade reading, writing, math, computer and other essential skills so they can work towards a Grade 12 credit course or Grade 12 equivalency (GED). The service may also help those who wish to enter college or university or take an apprenticeship. Additionally, it may show learners how to prepare for a job or to perform better in an existing job.
HRSDC to Revise the NOC
In preparation for the 2011 census, Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) is asking occupational experts and user groups for their input so that it can update the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Statistics Canada uses the NOC for Statistics (NOC-S), which will be updated along with HRSDC's NOC.
New Websites
Internet101.ca
This bilingual site, put out by government and police, provides advice on safely using the Internet. It also helps parents guide children in safe Internet use.
RateMyEmployer
This fun site lets people talk about their experiences working for different Canadian employers.
www.ccacjobs.ca
Several Community Care Access Centres in the central Ontario region have developed a joint recruitment site that posts job opportunites.
Public Agency of Canada
Canadians now have access to timely, easy-to-use and credible public health information through the Public Agency of Canada's website. In the near future, the agency will be able to broadcast new information to subscribers through an e-alert feature. Sign up to be added to the distribution list.
Eluta
Eluta Career Resources for Graduates is a job search engine used to help people find jobs based on keywords. The engine has added a link for new Canadians and for new graduates.
Jobs on Yonge
Jobs on Yonge is a free site to host service-sector job ads in and around Toronto. Job seekers and employers are welcome to explore and use the site.
