Job Fair - Adult Basic Education - SIAST Kelsey

A Job Fair for the Adult Basic Education students at SIAST Kelsey Campus, will be held at the E.A. Davies Building (Fred Davies Auditorium) on Wednesday May 16th from 10 - 11:30 am.

The program consists of about 300 Adult Ed students (over the age of 18) that are currently taking the Adult 10 and 12 programs and are actively looking for summer and/or ongoing employment.

Representatives of the YWCA Saskatoon will be there.  YWCA Saskatoon is a volunteer and membership-based organization that serves the community at large. We are a registered charity and a member of the United Way of Saskatoon and Area. You can find us at 510 – 25th Street East in Saskatoon, just behind the Community Service Village.

We are a resource for women and their families and provide programs and integrated services that foster economic independence, wellness and equal opportunities. You can find us at numerous locations across Saskatoon. We are also part of a larger network of YWCAs across Canada and around the world.

The YWCA Saskatoon employs over 100 people in a wide variety of departments including:

• Crisis Shelter and Residence
• Child Development Centre
• Employment and Learning
• Fitness on 25th
• Administration.

Come see us at the SIAST Adult Basic Education Job Fair.

Day of Mourning for Workers Killed on the Job

The Day of Mourning for Workers Killed on the Job, will be commemorated on April 28, 2012.

This important day allows us to pay tribute to those workers who were killed or injured on the job and renew our commitment to safety for all working people.

In Saskatchewan more than 39,000 workers are injured on the job each year. 

Tragically, 37 people died on the job or from work related injuries in 2011.

On April 28, we ask everyone to take a moment and remember those who have been injured or killed at work.

The Saskatoon & District Labour Council (SDLC) invites you to attend a ceremony of remembrance and vigilance, candle lighting observance, guest speakers and wreath laying.

For more information follow the link below:

http://www.seiuwest.ca/files/2012/04/dom-activities.pdf

Mourn the dead, fight for the living.

Lifeway Training Institute

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Lifeway Training Institute (A project of CityCentre –Community Renewal Initiative) on 20^th Street in Saskatoon’s Riversdale neighbourhood.  At LifeWay I had the opportunity to meet with Brad Mayer, the Community Outreach Director a pastor and graduate of the U of S College of Commerce. 

Brad toured myself and a few others through the Lifeway properties (a former bingo hall and a nightclub) where he highlighted their educational and lifeskills programming.  The adult job seeker may be interested to know that Lifeway using a Christian perspective works to “assist people who have come from different backgrounds and lead them towards a process of rebuilding for their futures.  Through a multi-faceted approach to both classroom teaching and hands-on experience, students will grow in their abilities needed to become productive members of society”.

The job seeker will be interested to know that Lifeway provides the following training programs:

·         Morning Personal Development classes

·         Afternoon Academic Upgrading (pre-GED, GED & High School Upgrading)

·         Afternoon Employment Training/Experience.

In addition, CityCentre –Community Renewal Initiative has a licensed daycare at its Pathways Early Learning Centre and a 24 suite apartment. 

For more information call: (306) 653-1452.

Saskatoon metro

It is not my place to question if Saskatoon needs two daily newspapers or nearly a half dozen weekly newspapers.  The market will determine that.

None-the-less, this increase in the number of newspapers, means new businesses, which means new jobs.  This I believe validates the YWCA Employment and Learning Center’s position that job seekers should cold call employers (including and especially new businesses) to job seek.

In the last week or so a new daily the Saskatoon metro has begun distributing its free daily newspaper throughout the city.  They have hired a small army of green clad workers to hand out and distribute their colourful tabloids.   This morning a gentleman handed me a copy of the paper in front of the Sheraton Cavalier hotel and I’ve seen a young woman distributing copies within the Saskatoon Community Service Village.  I do not know how these people found these jobs, but I did not see any advertisements.

I can also tell you that looking for employment in alternative places (i.e.: not on the internet is important; for example the Saskatoon metro is currently advertising in its newspaper for the following positions:

• OFFICE MANAGER
• GRAPHIC DESIGNER
• SALES REPRESENTATIVE.

You saw it here first!

Saskatoon Trades & Skills Centre

A recent visit to the Saskatoon Trades & Skills Centre in Saskatoon revealed an amazing opportunity for students graduating from Grade 12 this year!  Students wanting a job in the trades can spend some time in July getting an array of certifications that would appeal to employers:

• First Aid/CPR
• WHIMIS
• Scaffolding
• SCOT
• Forklift Operator
• Aerial Lift
• Fall Protection.

The certification opportunity is FREE! It runs July 3^rd-20^th (Monday – Friday, 8 hours/day). The deadline for application is June 8^th, 2012.

Contact or visit the Saskatoon Trades & Skills Centre to apply:  (306)385-3500 / 450 Avenue W North.

Other opportunities also exist, and not just for 2012 grads…

The Environmental Services Worker Program is 22 days in length; grade 10 is the minimum requirement. Orientation April 26^th, 2012.

The Personal Care Home Worker Program is 13 days in length; must be at least 18 years of age.Orientation is May 1, 2012.

The best jobs, and the worst

Globe and Mail – 12-Apr-2012
Top 10 Jobs:

1.       Software engineer – high demand and great pay
2.       Actuary – Statistical skills for the information economy – median income of $90K
3.       Human Resources Manager – Stable outlook and every organization needs one
4.       Dental Hygienist – Positive hiring outlook in the health industry – one of the best growth projections of any sector.
5.       Financial Planner – Plenty of clients with baby boomers saving for retirement and entry level workers depending less on pensions plans.
6.       Audiologist – Low job stress levels and decent pay ($67K) –
7.       Occupational Therapist – High demand profession due to aging population and continued strides in medical treatment.
8.       Online advertising manager – Growing demand for internet ad sales in the digital sector, and workplace environment and salary rank high.
9.       Computer Systems Analyst:   Highly skilled work in constant demand.
10.   Applied mathematician:  Includes those working in business, education and industrial capacities with median income just shy of $100,000.

10 Worst Jobs:

1.       Lumberjack – declining demand, physical labour and dangerous tools.

2.       Dairy Farmer – high stress occupation and low score on work environment.
3.       Enlisted soldier – Dangerous, physical demands and high stress
4.       Oil rig worker – physical labour, working away from home, and time outdoors in all weather for a relatively low salary.
5.       Newspaper reporter:  Layoffs have turned job openings into a cutthroat contest, while fewer employees means more work for remaining reporters.
6.       Waiter/waitress:  Low and uncertain income, higher physical demands.
7.       Meter reader:  Increasingly digitized the future is uncertain.  Also mediocre rank in work environment and stress.
8.       Dishwasher:  low-ranked member of restaurant team and low earnings - $18K
9.       Butcher – Disappearance of local butcher shops has contributed to higher levels of stress and a poor hiring outlook.  Mediocre salary.
10.   Broadcaster:  Job stress is climbing while income dwindles.

The full article:

https://secure.globeadvisor.com/servlet/ArticleNews/story/gam/20120412/RBDAYBOOK0412ATL

Padding your Resume/Word Count

There is a fine line between highlighting your skills and padding/lying on a resume.

Employers are busy people, who may be ploughing through a pile of 50 (or more) resumes for every job.  On the first run through the pile they may only give each resume a very brief review.  Employers will only look at the first 150 words.

Your job to figure out what the employer needs/wants and how to ensure your resume reflects this without lying.  Tailor your resume for each job/type/industry you apply to.  If you don’t have the skills for the job you want, figure out how to get them; and how to get them in your resume.

If you don’t believe that employers will only look at the first 150 words, please note how many words this blog entry is.  Do you want to read any further?   I wouldn’t.

Word Count: 150 words.

Saskatoon Public Library & the Job Seeker

The Saskatoon Public Library is an excellent resource for the job seeker.  The eight branches have dozens of services that are free of charge and there for you to use in your job search.  Here are ten ways you can us the library to assist you in your job search.  

• Assistance with career, labour market and educational research
• Assistance with accessing resources in the library (books, magazines, newspapers)
• Access to the internet/email and computer classes
• Photocopying (charge)
• Post-secondary calendars
• Newspapers and magazines
• Directories and resource catalogues
• Income tax help
• Volunteer opportunities (i.e. Friends’ Shop).

And remember there is no charge for a Saskatoon Public Library card and the vast majority of Saskatoon Public Library services are free of charge.

52 Reasons to Love Saskatoon Volunteering

I often write and speak about volunteering in your community as a way to increase the chances of finding a job, by highlighting the benefits you receive from volunteering including resume building, skill development, references, networking, etc.

Our community newspaper, The StarPhoenix recently completed a yearlong weekly series called 52 Reasons to Love Saskatoon, which included reason number 52 highlighting Saskatoon as being the volunteer capital of Canada.  The article noted, politicians and other community boosters repeat the mantra like it's a law, but it’s true…a 2007 Statistics Canada study pegged Saskatchewan's volunteer rate as the highest in the country at 57 per cent, which means more than half the province's population over the age of 16 volunteered at least once in 365 days. In addition, a 2010 study by the Community University Institute for Social Research 62 per cent of found Saskatoon residents volunteered at least once in the previous three years.

A quick scan of the articles suggests that a full 30 of the 52 Reasons to Love Saskatoon involve voluntarism of some sort.  You can volunteer to serve on a board, do fundraising, read to a senior, support a sporting event, or take tickets at a cultural event …all of which support our community and will increase your chances of finding the right job.