Have You Got a Plan?

As a natural worrier I am a big fan of planning. I plan out my day not only by events but:

• how I am getting there and back
• how long the event will take
• how long is travel time
• what happens if I am delayed

I’ve found being prepared very calming. If there is a traffic accident or I can’t find my keys at the last minute, these delays aren’t catastrophic because I’ve already prepared my back up plan. If I was already running late and there was a traffic jam, the natural worrier that I am would start thinking of all the negative consequences. Instead I have trained my mind to plan ahead which helps me to avoid delays and it also gives me a plan of action when something comes up. I know exactly what I am going to do next and instead of worrying: I can concentrate on my actions.

As it turns out, this is a wonderful belief which I incorporate into my job. I work at the YWCA Saskatoon Employment and Learning Centre. We help people, both men and women, prepare action plans. An action plan is the series of small steps you will take to reach your goal.  We help those who are looking for work or considering going to school. By breaking the application process down into small steps it is easier to concentrate on success.

Five Balls

From the book “Suzanne’s Diary to Nicholas” by James Patterson.

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them – Work – Family – Health – Friends – Integrity, and you’re keeping all of these in the air.

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls — family, health, friends and integrity are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered

Summer Heat Take Care

30 Degrees Celcius +++

With the super-hot weather of summer in Saskatchewan approaching, it is important to be aware of how the heat can affect you.  Not matter where you are, on the job site (i.e.: construction, landscaping, recreation, tourism, distribution) or pounding the streets looking for work you need to take precautions to avoid overheating.

1. Drink water. Whether or not you feel thirsty, it is e important to drink plenty of water, generally one cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes, to replace the fluids you lose in the heat. Avoid caffeine or alcohol, which can dehydrate you.

2. Keep cool. Stay out of the sun as much as possible. If possible schedule youir work so you do your job in the shade or do the tough jobs when it is cooler (i.e. in the morning). Take breaks from the sun and heat to cool off in the shade or in air conditioning.

3. Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting light coloured clothing, UV rated sunglasses, and a hat. Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher as well as UVA and UVB protection.

Stay safe this Summer. Stay Hydrated. Stay Cool. And Dress for the Heat.

5.8 people jobless for every vacancy

by The Canadian Press - Story: 76805

 Jun 20, 2012 / 6:04 am

Statistics Canada says there was an average of 248,000 job vacancies in the country in three-month period ended in March, up 19,000 from the same period in 2011.

However, it says there were just 5.8 unemployed people for every vacancy, down from 6.5 in March 2011.

The agency says the decline in the ratio of unemployment to job vacancies was a result of both the increase in vacancies and a decline in the number of unemployed people.

There were 16 people for every vacancy in Newfoundland and Labrador in March, 13.6 in New Brunswick and 10.2 in Nova Scotia, little changed from the previous year.

The ratios in Ontario and Quebec were also little changed at 7.6 and 7.2 respectively, while Alberta had the lowest ratio, with 1.8 people out of work for every job vacancy.

The construction sector had the biggest decline in the unemployment-to-job vacancies ratio, with 8.3 unemployed people for every vacant job in the quarter ended in March, down from 14.4 in the same period a year earlier.

Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre Fall 2012

The Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre prepares young adults for entry-level jobs that are in high demand. They work with our partners, including potential employers, to offer

short - term programs that respond to labour market needs.

In other words the STSC trains young people in 8 to 12 weeks to do jobs in the trades that actually exist.
Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre now has their Fall 2012 Programs listed on their website.
Those programs include:

Construction Labourer

Scaffolding
English for Employment (E4E)
Fireman/Custodian
Introduction to Commercial Construction

With upcoming programs to be announced in:

Introduction to Culinary
ECE Level 1.

Link to website: http://www.saskatoontradesandskills.ca/programs.php