HELP WANTED @ the YWCA Saskatoon

Have you ever wanted to work for the YWCA Saskatoon?

Well, now is the perfect time to apply.
We are currently advertising for a number of positions throughout our operations.
Please see the link below to our Careers Page, with our website:
http://ywcasaskatoon.com/join-us.php

Please take careful note of the deadline(s) for application...

Red Seal Program

What is the Interprovincial Standards Program?

The Red Seal Program represents industry’s recognition of an interprovincial standard of excellence for the skilled trades.

Through the Program, apprentices who have completed their training and become certified journeypersons are able to obtain a Red Seal endorsement on their provincial or territorial Certificates of Qualification and Apprenticeship by successfully completing an interprovincial Red Seal examination.The Program encourages harmonization of provincial and territorial apprenticeship training and certification programs by developing and maintaining interprovincial standards of qualification for Red Seal trades, in partnership with apprenticeship and certification stakeholders. To date, there are 55 trades included in the Red Seal Program on a national basis.Legislation permits provinces and territories to designate trades and develop apprenticeship programs for their own requirements. Thus, in excess of 300 apprenticeship programs are available across Canada. The Ellis Chart, a comparative chart of apprentice training programs across Canada, is produced by HRSDC in collaboration and consultation with the provinces and territories and provides training and certification details for all of these apprenticeable programs.

How to obtain a Red Seal?

In certain trades, holders of provincial and territorial Certificates of Qualification can apply to write an Interprovincial Examination; if successful, they receive a distinctive Red Seal, which is affixed to their Certificate of Qualification.

An Interprovincial Standards Red Seal can be obtained in the trades designated as Red Seal by:

•  one of the options below:
  • graduating from a recognized provincial or territorial apprenticeship training program; o
  • meeting requirements established by the provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority; or
  • having the time and experience working in a Red Seal trade assessed to qualify to write the Red Seal examination.
• passing the  interprovincial standards Red Seal examination for that trade.

In Saskatchewan contact:

Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
http://www.saskapprenticeship.ca/

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Great Plains College becomes a pilot site for electronic GED testing

Great Plains College becomes a pilot site for electronic GED testing

Great Plains College has become the first regional college in Saskatchewan and the third post-secondary institution anywhere in Canada to offer General Educational Development (GED) testing on computer.

A pilot project has been launched at Swift Current Campus in partnership with Pearson VUE and the provincial Ministry of the Economy, and the first computerized test was written June 20. Starting in January 2014 all GED exams at Great Plains College will be administered electronically.

Students who wish to write their GED test at Great Plains College have the option to write the paper exam or the electronic version developed by Pearson VUE until December 2013.

“It’s a privilege to be among the first post-secondary schools to offer this delivery method and we’re looking forward to what we anticipate will mean an expedited process for both the college and the students writing the exam,” said program coordinator Monica Kreiter. “The first test ran very smoothly and the equipment worked exactly as we hoped it would.”

GED testing centres will be located in Biggar, Kindersley, Maple Creek, Rosetown, Swift Current and Warman.

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More GED News

From The SIAST Website Re: GED Testing

Note: Paper-based testing will be eliminated by December 2013. The new computer-based testing model will begin September 2013 for all first-time writers. Candidates who have begun writing paper-based GED® Tests or who are rewriting will complete a paper-based GED® Test until December 2013.

GED Testing Schedule (for paper-based rewrite exams only)

SIAST Kelsey Campus, Saskatoon 2013

Days	Dates	Times	Location
T&W	Oct 8&Oct 9	4:30-10 pm	Room 422A
T&W	Nov 26&Nov 27	4:30-10 pm	Room 422A

For further information call (306) 933-5555

Value Village - Meet & Greet

VALUE VILLAGE

Meet & Greet

10:30 am

Wednesday, August 14

Mama Room

Community Service Village

WORKING AT VALUE VILLAGE

Let’s work together

When you work at Value Village, you're part of a progressive company that's doing meaningful work for nonprofits everywhere—and having a lot of fun in the process. Whether you’re on the sales floor, the loading dock or behind the scenes, our careers offer a culture and a conscience you won't find anywhere else.

More Information: http://www.valuevillage.com/working-at-value-village.aspx

SIAST GED

A GED (grade 12 equivalency) certificate is an important component of the literacy tools necessary to succeed in today’s job market.

For your information, please see below some offerings from SIAST.

GED Skill Boosters - GED Essay Writing Booster

These courses are designed to help GED candidates who are weak in essay writing skills. This might include candidates who are writing the GED tests for the first time or candidates who are re-writing. Some candidates may chose to take more than one skill booster to attain the level of skill competency required to successfully pass the GED exams.

GED Skill Boosters - GED Math Booster

These courses are designed to help GED candidates who are weak in math skills. This might include candidates who are writing the GED tests for the first time or candidates who are re-writing. Some candidates may chose to take more than one skill booster to attain the level of skill competency required to successfully pass the GED exams.  

General Educational Development (GED) Preparation

Gaining a GED 12 equivalency can provide you with an alternative high school standing. Completing your GED may help you qualify for a better job or gain admittance to some post-secondary institutions. The preparation classes will prepare you to write the GED exam by refreshing your skills, familiarizing you with the test format and building your confidence in taking timed tests. Practice tests and instruction in subject areas (Language Arts Writing, Language Arts Reading, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics) will be covered.

General Educational Development (GED) Exam

The GED exam provides an alternative for adults who wish to obtain a high school standing. The GED exam is a five-part, multiple choice and essay exam which tests Language Arts Writing, Language Arts Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science during approximately 7 ½ hours of examination time (see GED Testing Schedules below). The GED exam tests intellectual maturity as opposed to the ability to recall specific facts in a given subject area. Many of the test questions measure the adult’s general ability to evaluate on the basis of given information, synthesize and then draw conclusions.

For More Information: 

http://gosiast.com/programs-and-courses/continuing-education/programs.aspx?p=33

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AOVD Fraud Alert

We have been advised by Labour Market Services that someone is posing as a legitimate employer, or employers, and posting a job ad for “Data Entry Clerk” on SaskJobs. 

Job seekers respond to the ad to the email listed, but the response they get does not come from the employer listed on the ad.  The job seeker receives a response from AOVZ International Inc. in St. Petersburg Russia, and comes under the name Elena Mashkina.  The email states that unfortunately the job is filled but they have another opportunity for a part time “Financial Manager”.  This is where the scam begins.  They invite the job seeker to sign up as their local Financial Manager at a base rate of $1800/month plus 5% commission on collections.  The job is to collect payments from local AOVZ clients ranging from $700 - $1000, and a typical month will have 15-30 collections.  So when you do the math, good money for little work.  Once you collect the payment, you put it in your account, retain the 5%, and send the balance to AOVZ via Western Union.  What happens next is that the payment is NSF and the individual is out the money they forwarded to AOVZ via Western Union.  On a $1000 collection that would be a loss of $950.

AOVZ may be trying to use different false employer names to source people, but the common elements are:

•  Position – “Data Entry Clerk”
•  Email – usask_antispam@outlook.com

Preschool Tuition Subsidy

Preschool can be an important part of early learning! Learning how to socialize, how to cope and become resilient, how to share, how to be independent and learning how to learn are some of the benefits. 

In Saskatoon there are a number of preschools for parents to choose from – tuition may be a barrier but then again, maybe not. The Saskatoon Preschool Foundation has made available tuition subsidy application forms: “In accordance with its vision and mission, the Saskatoon Preschool Foundation will allocate funds within its annual budget to provide subsidies for a portion of the preschool tuition fees for children enrolled or wishing to enrol in an eligible preschool program, where the payment of tuition fees presents a financial hardship”. 

There are limited funds available for this purpose – applications are considered on a first come first served basis. To look at the application form you can visit their website at www.spf.sk.ca  or call the foundation office at 683-8384. Learning is for life and we can never begin too soon! Lifelong learning is essential in our modern world in order to keep up with current job market demands – look into this unique opportunity for you and your child(ren) as a way to possibly begin this process!

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Assets Building Workshop

Assets Building Workshop 
for YWCA Clients

Thursday, July 18, 2013
  9:30am - 11:30am
Village - Lounge
(child tending available)  

Assets-

What are your assets?  

How can we each recognize and value our assets? 

How can these help us be more financially stable and move us from poverty to prosperity?  

With a stronger asset base, people enjoy more sustainable and stable livelihoods. 

Join us to understand how to use assets as a tool for self-evaluation and improvement.

To register call reception @ 306-244-7043 ext. 131 

or speak to your Resource Coach/Employment Counsellor.

Presented in partnership with READ Saskatoon.

READ Saskatoon is a volunteer literacy organization that provides services to adults, families, workplaces and community. Last year we worked with over 2,000 members of our community: 870 adult learners received free literacy support from a program or trained literacy volunteer, 400 children and 300 parents participated in a Family Literacy program, and we supported the workplace literacy needs of over 12 businesses. For every $1 invested in our agency, we turn it into $8 volunteer labour.

Job Finding Club - AUGUST

The YWCA Job Finding Club will be returning in August!

The Pre-session: Thursday August 8^th at 1:30pm

Club: Monday August 8^th – Friday August 30^th (9:30am – 12:30pm) 

 Contact your Resource Coach or Employment Counsellor to register

More information contact: YWCA Saskatoon Employment and Learning Centre @

(306) 244-7034 (ext 131)

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startSMART

startSMART

I recently saw that the Praxis school of Entrepreneurship in Saskatoon, is offering comprehensive entrepreneurship training through its startSMART program.  Information sessions take place @ Labour Market Services.

July 5, 2013 2pm - 3pm

  and 

  July 9, 2pm - 3pm.

In this program, you will be applying your learning to a business of your own. In the first phase, you will be learning everything from how to take an idea and turn it into an opportunity, through to the development of a fully researched business plan.  We help you develop your entrepreneurial acumen into a management skill set that will help you make solid business decisions.  You will meet people who can help you in your business like a lawyer, accountant, insurance agent, sales professional, bankers, funders and people in government who can help you navigate the regulations that you need to know about.

In the second phase you are supported by entrepreneurs through a coaching process that will help you develop the skills needed to "report to yourself" since you are now your own boss.  And because you all want to continue to connect with your fellow entrepreneurs, we have a few more workshops that help in the launch phase of a business.

In the final phase, we provide less frequent coaching because you are a busy person running your new enterprise.  But we are there to make sure you develop the skills to meet your targets and make the difference in the world that you want to make.   

More info:

http://praxisschoolofentrepreneurship.com/programs/startsmart/

Correspondence/Internet Education

I recently came across an advertisement for a correspondence career institute.* The company’s brochure advised that their ‘programs are designed to teach you the skills you need to get off to a fast start in the career of your choice.’  It reminded me of the old days when you could find correspondence school ads on match book covers.

Now, I know nothing about this career institute, based in Quebec, but I do offer this warning to readers of this blog.  Before spending money on any training program you need to do your research.  Questions I would ask would revolve around my self, the institute/the education, and potential employers.

Self:

How do I learn best?

Do I have the discipline/time to study on my own?

Institute/Education:

Is the institute recognized in Saskatchewan or your jurisdiction?

What is the quality of the education?

Is there somewhere local that I can get the education?

Potential Employers:

Is there a demand for what I am training for?

How much will my new career pay?

Will local employers recognize the program I am interested in?

I encourage all potential students to consider these factors and more before (not after) entering into an education program.  If you take the time to research now, you may save yourself a lot to time, money and grief.

*Oddly enough in the YWCA Saskatoon’s coffee nook.

We can help you at the YWCA Employment & Learning Centre

Achieve your employment goals with the YWCA Saskatoon's Employment and Learning Centre.

• Learn to promote yourself
• Gather information about the Labour market and employers
• Gain experience cold calling and networking
• Feel confident and well prepared in your next interview

Call 306 244 7034 ext 131 for more information.

Saskatchewan's Best Managed Companies

At the YWCA Employment and Learning Centre, we encourage people to do research as a part of their job search.  One tool for research is the "Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies Program".

If a company is well managed it is probably a good place to work.....

Established in 1993, the Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies is a national awards program, recognizing Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Applications are reviewed by an independent judging panel that evaluates how companies address various business challenges, including new technologies, globalization, brand management, leadership, leveraging and developing core competencies, designing information systems, and hiring the right talent to facilitate growth.

In Saskatchewan there is a similar program in which Deloitte ranks the best Saskatchewan companies.  In the Tuesday, June 25, 2013 Saskatoon StarPhoenix newspaper there was a supplement which featured "SASKATCHEWAN'S Class of 2012".

The following companies were recognized in these award categories:

Phase 2 finalists:
Simpson Seeds Inc.
South Country Equipment Ltd.

Gold Standard finalists:
Kramer Ltd.
Saskatchewan Minerals Inc.

Requalification:
Airline Hotels Ltd.
Crestline Coach Ltd.
Magna Electric Corporation
Solvera Solutions
Western Sales (1986) Ltd.

Gold Standard Requalification:
Alliance Energy Group of Companies
Partner Technologies Incorporated
West Wind Aviation

Platinum Club:
Brandt Group of Companies
Concentra Financial
Great Western Brewing Company Limited
Mega Group Inc.
Yanke Group of Companies

For more details visit: www:canadas50best.com  

For photos from the Saskatchewan awards ceremony visit: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deloittecanada/sets/72157632051321496/