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Author: Erin Kelly

  • Bridging the Gap: Women in Skilled Trades

    Bridging the Gap: Women in Skilled Trades

    A documentary by Elizabeth Smith, in association with Rogers Communications

    In this awesome documentary, we get to see hardworking, dedicated women working in the trades industry of Canada. It is a helpful summary of women that have made extraordinary leaps in the trades industry, building a great reputation for excellence, accuracy and attitude. The 23 minute documentary goes over the things you have to do, have or acquire in order to become a trades-woman. It sheds a very positive light on women and their future in the trades, and what kind of obstacles you may have to overcome in order to reach your goals. Being a trades-woman is not only a good vocation, but a really great way to make a living, financially.

    Presently, the video states that only 4% of people in the trades are women. An interesting and challenging trade for women is high pressure welding and fitting. In the documentary, you will meet the first woman to work on the pipeline in Canada, Courtney Chard. As it stands, male pipeline fitters make up 99.1% of the trade, where women make up .9%. These numbers can rise if we all learn more about the opportunities available, and “take gender out of the equation”. Courtney presses that if you like hard work and an honest, decent pay check, you can do it. You will face challenges with other male workers, but if you can brush those trivial things off, you will do well.

    You will also meet Lynn Mackinlay, a certified Red Seal Cabinet Maker from Nova Scotia. She presses that if you have an understanding of the oppression issues that women face in the trades, you will be able to accept any challenges faced. Lynn says that it is often a cultural and systemic issue when it comes to women working in the trades, and we need to look past it. This is a strange stigma, because women have been literally working in the trades since the 40s during the war.

    So, check out this Rogers documentary and learn all you can about working in the trades- they’re waiting for you!

    http://rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=73&gid=220812

  • Running a Business in the Trades

    Running a Business in the Trades

    Do you want to pursue a career in the trades, and prefer to be your own boss? Starting and running your own business in the trades might be a good option for you.

    Though some of the particulars may differ depending on the trade you pursue – like carpentry, electrical, or plumbing– many parts of running a business remain the same.

    If you are thinking of starting a trades business, you likely already have experience working in a trade and want to pursue it further. Before starting your business, make sure you have all the education, skills and licenses to work in your trade. This can include college programs, apprenticeships, work experience, and any necessary local or provincial regulatory licensing. You may also want to register with your local and provincial trade union, as these groups can be a good resource when you need help or information.

    The process of setting yourself up as an entrepreneur usually involves creating your own company. You can have a sole proprietorship (just you), or some form of partnership agreement (you and one or more other tradespeople, business people, administrative, etc.).

    You will need to register a business name and number with Service Canada. This number is required for most dealings that involve your business, especially for work permits and taxes.You will also need to use this business number to open bank accounts for your company. It is recommended to keep all business finances separate from your personal accounts.

    Make sure you have a very clear idea of what service you plan to offer. For example, if you want to run a carpentry business, you need to decide if you will specialize in a specific task, such as detail work like cabinetry, trim, stairs and railings, or rough work such as framing and roofing.

    Once you decide what your business will focus on, it is time for the most important part of any business: the business plan. A business plan is a document that you research and compile, which sets out your goals, product or service offerings, finances, and plans for future growth. This document is essential to directing the course of your company, and any banks or financial investors will require it. Ask yourself a few questions like; what will make my business special from others? What is my target market? What kind of prices will I charge for my company’s services?
    Networking is important and will lead to potential clients. Talk up your company and skills when you meet people in your trade industry. Attend trade-shows or conventions related to your trade, and those related to other trades. You may be running a plumbing business, but it can be helpful to meet people in other trades like construction – you never know where you might find your next customer!

    Another key factor to running your business is to market yourself and your skills. These days, you will need a website that details your business, the skills and services you offer, and even list prices or quotes to help gain customers.

    Once you are working jobs, make sure to build your reputation – do quality work at a good price, be on time to start and finish projects, and treat your customers well. After the job is done, the best thing to do is ask for a client review; good words go a long way!

  • Scholarship Essay Question Examples

    Scholarship Essay Question Examples

    The university/ college application process can be a daunting task for perspective students. There are a lot of forms to fill out, transcripts to gather and essays to write. Scholarship essays are among the most important. Many students choose to apply for a number of different scholarships in hopes of receiving financial assistance to help alleviate the burden of high tuition costs.

    These essays give students the chance to demonstrate their strengths, accomplishments and attributes in a clear and concise manner. They are a way for you to communicate who you are and what you want from the scholarship committee. Since they may not have the opportunity to meet you personally your essay will give them a look into your life, and help persuade them to choose you as a recipient.

    Some scholarships will require you to write about a certain topic, while others may let you pick a topic of your own- topics can vary, drastically. Some are more general. Some are specifically directed to things such as:
    financial needs, what you are planning to study or major in or various accomplishments you have achieved. A lot of these essays are designed to demonstrate your ability to think critically, express your opinions and communicate your thoughts, feelings and goals. A lot of topics also require you to recount a specific personal experience.

    Some common essay topics and questions are:
    • Tell us about yourself
    • What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? How will they help you with your future goals?
    • What are your major accomplishments?
    • Who or what is the greatest influence in your life? (This could be someone you know, like a friend, relative or mentor. Or someone you’ve never met, but has had a major impact on your life. If you are picking someone you don’t know, try to steer clear of celebrities. Just because you enjoy T. Swift’s music or Josh Donaldson’s playing doesn’t make them influential. Look for someone whose accomplishments have helped change their community or the world.)
    • Talk about a difficult time in your life. How did you overcome it? What lasting impact did it have on your life? Did it change the way you look at certain people, situations and the world?
    • Where do you see yourself in ten years? What do you want for the future?
    • Why do you need the scholarship? Why are you the right person to choose?
    • Explain the importance of your major in today’s society. For example if you are taking education, what impact do educators have on your community or society as a whole?

    Regardless of the topic, make sure you plan ahead; brainstorm ideas, write drafts and start early. Know your audience and write to them. Establish what you want the selection committee to know about you and integrate it into the topic you are writing about.

    Be clear, concise and creative. Make sure to adhere to all the requirements outlined in the application (length, style, spacing, font etc.). Structure your essay cohesively and double check your spelling and grammar. You will also want to get a friend, teacher or family member to proofread and help edit your masterpiece after you complete your first draft.

    Good Luck!

  • Career Profile: Construction Contractor

    Career Profile: Construction Contractor

    Construction is one of Canada’s biggest industries; from houses to buildings to the structure of roof you’re under while reading this article; it was built and constructed by a contractor. The term contractor is generally used to describe the person in charge of overseeing the entire project, and one who hires and manages subcontractors, such as framers, electricians and plumbers.

    Contractors may be tasked with building a condominium or a small semi-attached home. Each project usually begins with an architect and engineer. From here, once all of the legal and zoning codes have been met, the contractor may start the initial stages of building the structure.

    Contractors will have to interpret blueprint readings, estimate costs and work hand in hand with other sub-contractors to make sure the job is done correctly and completed in a timely manner. They are also responsible for coordinating the types and qualities of materials that are to be used for the project. Contractors should pay close attention to subcontractors’ workmanship, too.

    Contractors may be self-employed but are usually employed by large construction companies. They may or may not be part of a union. In most cases, in order to be employed by a particular company, they will demand you be a part of a union for insurance purposes. Some contractors and sub contractors are represented by their official provincial association, like the Ontario General Contractors Association, for example. This organization allows member to establish a reputation for themselves and resolve disputes with customers.

    The branch of educational fields for contractors is vast. Some may study basic general contracting courses like framing, electrical and plumbing. Others may want to take a deeper plunge into architectural technology or even pursue a Bachelor’s degree in engineering. Contactor’s can make up to $89,000 a year depending on their field of employment.

  • Why Grammar is Important

    Why Grammar is Important

    You may have heard the saying, there’s a time and a place for everything. Well, that’s true for many things in life, including the use of proper grammar. Most of us are used to sending texts, emails, tweeting and posting on Facebook. And due to time, ease and in some cases limited character restrictions we have resorted to abbreviations, emoticons and jargon to express our thoughts and feelings. This is fine when talking with a friend on the internet or sending them a text message, but it should be avoided in situations where you are expected to be more formal or professional. Take school papers for example, you should avoid using slang, jargon and abbreviations throughout your essay. OMG right! You should also be aware of the proper use of punctuation; basically you should know and follow some basic rules. But before getting into the rules, here’s a little refresher on some definitions:

    Noun- a word that names a person, place or thing. There are common nouns i.e. train, student, country. And proper nouns i.e. Jenny, Paris, Tuesday. You can tell the difference between the two because proper nouns have two main features, they name a one of a kind item and they always start with a capital letter (despite their place in a sentence).

    Pronoun- a word that takes the place of a noun i.e. he, she, it, everyone, many, few.

    Adjective- a word that modifies a noun. It gives more information about it i.e. a big dog, a yellow ball, a loud noise.

    Verb- a word used to describe an action or a state of being. They are doing words i.e. bake, fix, jog, run.

    Adverb- a word that modifies a verb. They tell us when, where or how an action was preformed i.e. He baked a cake today.

    Conjunction- a word used to connect two parts of a sentence i.e. and, if, but.

    Contraction- a word made shorter by combining two words i.e. can’t, won’t, didn’t.

    Now that you remember some definitions, here are a few rules to follow:

    1. Avoid writing run-on sentences. Run-on sentences are when two or more complete sentences aren’t separated by the proper punctuation.
    2. Know the difference between words like: their (shows ownership), there (place or position), they’re (contraction- they are) and, it (used to identify a thing previously mentioned), its (belonging to or associated with a thing previously mentioned) and it’s (contraction- it is).
    3. Punctuate properly. Know when to use commas, colons, semi-colons, apostrophes, question marks, periods, hyphens and exclamation marks.
    4. Use commas or semi-colons in compound sentences.
    5. Know when to use who and whom i.e. With whom are you going to the movie with? Who is driving?
    6. Use the word few for things you count and the word less for things you measure. I.e. The recipe calls for less sugar then I thought. There were fewer people at the concert than anticipated.
    7. Use then when you are referring to time. I.e. The Blue Jays won the first, then the second game. Use than when introducing the second element of a comparison. I.e. She was much shorter than her classmates.
    8. Use the right tense; past, present, future.
    9. Know when to use active and passive voices. In the passive voice, the subject receives the action. I.e. The baseball was caught by the shortstop. In the active voice the subject is doing the acting. I.e. The shortstop caught the ball.
    10. Don’t rely entirely on spell check and grammar check. Do your own editing.

    If you are unsure of a specific grammatical rule you could always do an internet search to find the answer you are looking for. However, when taking advice from the internet, be critical. If you make an effort to look it up you’ll be more apt to remember it in the future, #grammar’simportant, so take the time to try and get it right.

  • Career Profile: Mold Maker

    Career Profile: Mold Maker

    Popsicles, metal tools, and plastic bowls all have something in common. Do you know what it is? They all get their shape from molds. These molds might be made of plastic, metal, or other types of material, but they all need someone to make them. Mold makers are the people who do this kind of work.

    When you work on a project, do you prefer the beginning or the end of the process? Mold makers can help with an entire project, all the way through to the end. Cars are an example. Molds are a large part of the process, from making doors and chrome trimming to rubber tires. In other jobs, mold makers work with designing plastic cups and all kinds of other things that people use every day.

    Becoming a mold maker involves a variety of skills. Attention to detail is one of the most important characteristics of good mold makers since some molds can have very small parts. In most areas, a four-year apprenticeship or a college program is necessary, and certification in the trade is available in some provinces. Depending on their skills and interests, mold makers can work in design or production. First, they draw the designs for the type of product they are making. They polish the mold and finish off any rough edges that might cause problems with any part of the process. Some molds are fairly simple to make, but others are more complicated. Molds for drinking cups are relatively easy, and small mistakes are unlikely to cause problems. However, molds for car parts have to be much more precise since people’s safety depends on every part working well.

    Finding work as a mold maker depends on training, experience, and other factors. Job opportunities depend on where people want to work, as well as their ability to learn the specific requirements of the job. Salaries for mold makers in Canada start at about $30,000 per year and can go up to about $60,000, but the average annual salary is about $44,000. The work can be difficult at times, but it can be very rewarding to see products go from raw steel or plastic to finished pieces.

    Does the job of mold maker appeal to you? The first place to look for more information is the Canadian Association of Mold Makers, which helps people in this trade to learn what they need to know and helps to support them in finding work and dealing with issues such as difficult working conditions or new technology that might be hard for some people to use. Other associations can also be very useful, and it can be a very good idea to talk to people working in the field about the best way to pursue a career in it.
    If you like the idea of making some of the things that people use every day, the career of mold maker might be right for you.

    Bibliography:

    Canadian Association of Mold Makers. “Who We Are.” http://www.camm.ca/

    Cockburn, Randy. “Mold Maker – Working in Canada.” www.youtube.com/watch?v=iimER-ga118.

    Statistics Canada. “National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011.” http://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3VD.pl?Function=getVD&TVD=122372&CVD=122376&CPV=7232&CST=01012011&CLV=4&MLV=4.

    WOWJobs.ca. “Mold Maker Salary: Canada.” http://www.wowjobs.ca/salary-mold+maker.

  • Career Profile: Tool and Die Maker

    Career Profile: Tool and Die Maker

    Have you ever started on a project and then realized that you needed some extra tools? Maybe you were cutting a piece of metal for a railing and then realized that you needed a stronger saw. Or maybe you were working on a birdhouse and you discovered that you needed a different hammer or that you hadn’t measured the size quite right. You need the kind of thing that a tool and die maker can give to you.

    Tool and die makers work with machines to help the manufacturing process run smoothly. Sometimes, this work involves making dies or molds for making plastic cups and other products, but it can include much more than that. People working in this trade are considered to be skilled artisans because they make special tools, metal patterns, fixtures, and gauges using different materials such as metal and plastics. They do repairs on broken tools and might also modify a tool or mold so that it can be used for a new purpose.

    The work that tool and die makers do is closely related to other trades, such as mold maker. However, the work usually involves custom-made objects rather than mass-produced ones. Suppose that a company wanted to sell a very special type of tool for people working with a new type of metal. A tool and die maker would have to decide how to make that tool strong enough to cut through the metal but light enough for people to hold and to use. This type of work involves math, science, and engineering, and you can already start to study some of these fields. However, it also involves art, especially in the design part of the job. Taking fine arts courses can be a good way of learning that aspect of the job.

    Getting a post-secondary degree in an area related to the work can be useful but is not necessary. Generally, tool and die makers have a combination of coursework from a college or trade school and on-the-job training. Some people might learn through a formal apprenticeship, but others learn the trade through work experience, which usually takes about four or five years. Most areas of Canada have a certification process, although it is not required unless a specific employer wants it. Generally, tool and die makers earn between $34,000 and $81,000, and jobs are available but not plentiful in manufacturing sectors such as metal product fabrication, machinery, and electronics.

    One of the most important parts of being a tool and die maker is learning to be precise. Tiny measurements of a millimeter or less can sometimes affect how well a machine works. Because of this, tool and die makers need to be extremely careful to get things right. If you are a precise person and enjoy working with machines, this job might be something to pursue.

    Bibliography:

    Government of Canada. “Unit Group: 7232 Tool and Die Makers.”
    http://www30.rhdcc.gc.ca/CNP/English/NOC/2006/Profile.aspx?val=0&val1=7232.

    Payscale.com. “Tool and Die Maker Salary (Canada).” http://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Tool_and_Die_Maker/Hourly_Rate.

    Service Canada. “Tool and Die Makers.” http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/qc/job_futures/statistics/7232.shtml.

    Wikipedia.org. “Tool and Die Maker.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool_and_die_maker.

  • Scholarships for Aboriginal Students

    Scholarships for Aboriginal Students

    Bursaries and Scholarships The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada is dedicated to helping Aboriginals reach the highest standard of excellence in finance and management. AFOA’s initiatives in the development of Awards and Scholarships are examples of that commitment.

    See link below for scholarships and bursaries: http://www.metisnation.org/programs/education–training/education/bursaries–scholarships

    Want even more options? Check out the scholarships and bursaries for Aboriginal students that we found:

    The Aboriginal Canada Portal Offers an online Aboriginal funding tool that offers a way to search for scholarships, bursaries, loans & grants according to your needs.

    Canada Post Aboriginal Education Incentive Award The Aboriginal Education Incentive Award is part of Canada Post’s nation-wide scholarship program and commitment to furthering individual potential. Each of Canada Post’s eight regions across the country will grant three awards annually: Two $1,000 scholarships for the return to and successful completion of one full year of high school and One $1,000 scholarship for the return to and successful completion of one full year of post-secondary education, including vocational or trade skills training.

    FAAY (Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth) FAAY is a scholarship program operated by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. CCAB is dedicated to developing the future generations of Aboriginal leaders. They have scholarships for high school or post-secondary students.

    AMMSA (Aboriginal Multi- Media Society) Large listing of scholarships and bursaries available to Aboriginal people (including youth) in a variety of educational programs. You can look up educational institutions and find the awards available to their Aboriginal students only.

    Royal Bank of Canada Aboriginal Scholarships  Royal Bank offers scholarships to all Aboriginal people and also has a summer placement program as an award to qualified applicants. Royal Bank has employment opportunities for Aboriginal students in grade 9-12 for summer employment.

  • Is the Cost of Education Worth it?

    Is the Cost of Education Worth it?

    With the rising cost of living these days, you have to examine everything more carefully, especially tuition costs. Whether it is college or university, you may end up paying back the government for several years. So it’s definitely something that deserves a lot of thought ahead of time. Financial security or insecurity will reflect heavily on you during your post-grad life. Will it be worth it – all those years of coffee and late nights with little or no sleep?

    It’s ultimately your life, and your decision. But consider these factors as well:

    • The demand for your chosen career. Unfortunately, some careers have more people interested than there are positions available. You can still do what you love – just consider alternative options. For example, Education is one of those careers that have more people than positions within Ontario, to be specific. Administrative positions within a school are always a consideration (such as a principal), along with consultants. Management is another alternative as well. Student advisors are great at listing alternative options that you may have not previously considered.

    • The cost of tuition – is it reasonable? Some tuition amounts don’t necessarily relate to the amount of years you’d spend earning that diploma. Consider the average entry-level salary for your chosen career – does it match up? This is particularly important as you’re most likely to spend years paying off that debt – you want it to be reasonable in relation to the career. The higher the demand for your skills, the easier (and sooner) you’ll be to pay the loan off instead of spending months looking for that perfect job.

    • Experience is another factor – this is a strong consideration for employers when you start job hunting post-graduation. I would strongly recommend that you consider placements to bolster your experience – it can often count for academic credit, and it will be related experience that you can use on your resume. Employers are always looking for experience related to the position that you’re applying for, and it’s trickier (but not impossible) to prove that you’re the person for the job without some related experience. If you don’t have a placement, consider part-time jobs that are related to your major/chosen career.

    • And lastly, consider your interest in the career. If it’s something that you’re not as passionate about when compared to other majors – consider it as a minor. Or a double major, if that’s an option. You should be interested in something that you want to do for the rest of your life, and it’s something that you need to be passionate about.

    After assessing these four factors; demand, cost, experience and interest, you may be able to answer the question: Is the cost of education worth it for my career? The answer is always in your hands.

  • How to Save Your Money

    How to Save Your Money

    For many people, shopping is a lot of fun. Getting something like a new bicycle, a musical instrument, or a jacket can be exciting if they can afford to buy it. If they are not very interested in objects like bicycles or clothes, they might need money for a new experience, such as going on a special trip or a concert. Unless they are very wealthy, most people will likely need to save up the money to pay for their new purchase or activity, but this can sometimes be difficult. Finding an interesting way to save money can help make the process easier.

    Have you ever gone out with friends for an afternoon and then realized after you got home that you had no idea how much money you spent? One of the first steps in saving money is to keep track of the money that you spend and how much you have left over. Recording your purchases in a small notebook or computer can help you find out how much you spend every day so that you know where to cut back.

    The first step is to identify your necessary or unnecessary purchases. If your parents want you to buy your own toothbrushes and toothpaste, for example, you will still need to do that to keep yourself healthy. However, you can save some money by buying these items at dollar stores or other discount places. Low-cost clothes and other items are available at thrift stores, and you can often save a lot of money by getting what you need there instead of at regular stores. For people who know how to sew, it can even be an interesting challenge to buy thrift shop clothes and then to alter them.

    Food is another place where people spend a lot of money. If you buy a lot of snacks like cookies or muffins, you might want to consider baking some of them at home. Even if you have to buy the flour and other ingredients, your snacks will likely be cheaper than the ones that you can buy in a store. Making lunches at home to take to school can also save a lot of money.

    You should also be aware of how you pay for what you buy. Some people use credit or debit cards for almost everything, but paying with cash can have many benefits. That way, you can see at a glance how much you’ve spent. You can also find fun ways of saving money, such as saving your change in jars so that you can watch them fill up.
    Activities with friends can be expensive, but you can try to find things to do that are low-cost or free. For example, you could go to a park to play soccer or to look for animals instead of shopping. However you manage to do it, saving money can be worth it in the end.

    Bibliography:

    Barreca, Kerri. 5 Money Saving Tips for the Bargain Hunter.” https://creditcanada.com/blog/7-money-saving-tips-financial-planning-bargain-hunter?gclid=CMHa7cDNrsgCFZEBaQodEXgAiw.

    Graham, Nicole. “15 Fun Ways To Save Money (Instead Of Using Piggy Banks).” http://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/15-fun-ways-save-money-instead-using-piggy-banks.html.

    The Mint.org. “5 Simple Saving Tricks.” http://www.themint.org/kids/saving-tricks.html.

    WikiHow.com. “How to Save Money as a Kid.” http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Money-as-a-Kid