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Author: Service Canada

  • Learning about the Red Seal Program

    Learning about the Red Seal Program

    What is the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program?

    The Red Seal program was established to provide skilled workers with greater mobility across Canada. Through the program, certified journeypersons are able to obtain a Red Seal endorsement on their Certificate of Qualification by successfully completing, where applicable, an interprovincial standards examination. The program encourages standardization of provincial and territorial apprenticeship training and certification programs. The Red Seal allows qualified persons to practice their respective occupation in any province or territory in Canada where it is designated, without having to attempt further examinations. To date, there are forty-five occupations included in the Interprovincial Red Seal Program.

    What other benefits come from enrolling in a “Red Seal” Trade Apprenticeship?

    You have probably heard the radio commercials from the Government of Canada recently about the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant program. Right now there is a very high demand for tradespeople of all varieties. This is why the Government of Canada created the Incentive Program to attract people to learn a trade.

    That’s right – you can get paid twice to learn a trade, instead of running up high tuition bills while you learn! To learn more about the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant Program, please visit the Service Canada website.

  • Apprenticeships: Finding An Employer

    Apprenticeships: Finding An Employer

    Finding an employer is the first and often most difficult step in an apprenticeship. If the employer you’re interested in approaching doesn’t employ apprentices, check out our list of resources for employers and know your facts when you go meet with them. They might be willing to consider hiring an apprentice, once they are aware of the business case that supports apprenticeship training.

    Network
    Just like any job seeker, talking with people who are already employed in the trade for a good source of information about becoming a skilled tradesperson. Some apprentices find employers through family and friends. Another good place to meet potential contacts is through organizations such as trade unions, professional association or training institutions. Don’t forget to consider local employment offices, programs and agencies, especially those that specialize in trades-related training and employment. You may also want to consider approaching an employer or training instructor to ask for an informational interview. This is a great way to learn about job opportunities and connect with potential employers.

    Upgrade your job
    Some skilled tradespeople start working for an employer in a different capacity, then apply for a trades position when one becomes available. For example, one man began working as a general delivery person for a construction company. After a year or two, he decided to approach his employer about hiring him as a plumbing apprentice. Today, several years later, he is a fully qualified journeyperson plumber working for the same construction company and earning more than twice the pay.

    Search job boards/internet
    Job leads can also be found on major job boards, such as Monster.ca, Workopolis and working.canada.com. Search using terms such as “trades,” “construction” and “manufacturing” or go to sections designed for jobs in these fields. While you’re there, check out their resources for résumé and interview tips.

    Once you’ve found an employer, you still have to:
    – Register at your local apprenticeship office
    – Apply for grants and supports

  • Jobs in the Outdoor Adventure Industry

    Jobs in the Outdoor Adventure Industry

    A brief window into the thrill based and skill based world of adventure sport.

    The vast array of dangerous jobs out there has started to receive more exposure, especially with reality TV recognizing our love to experience these jobs from the comforts of our couch. From coal mining to deep sea fishing, television seems to cover it all. However, a less exposed but speedily growing industry falling into the “dangerous jobs” category is outdoor adventure. Whether it is rock climbing instructors, heli-ski guiding, white water kayak or raft guiding, Canada’s adventure sport scene is booming. An interview with Trevor Cardozo, who has rafted for Canadian Rockies Rafting in the Canmore/Banff area of Alberta, provides some insight on what it takes to work in a job so vastly different from the typical nine-to-five/sit at your desk kind of job that many of us will likely end up in.

    What made you decide to enter the outdoor adventure industry?

    I had done a ten day canoe trip in Quebec when I was in high school, and that was kind of my crash course into the outdoor adventure world. I got accepted into university for a computer related program, but decided to rethink what I wanted to do, and to instead attend Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure diploma program, because of my experience on that canoe trip. The Algonquin program became my springboard into a career of climbing, paddling and eventually water raft guiding. Many people enter the industry because of the adrenaline rush, but for me it was more the ability to not be stuck in an office and be in the outdoors all the time.

    How do you deal with the “danger” aspect of the job?

    Always be on your toes, thinking about risk management and minimization. Know the difference between perceived risk and inherent risk, especially in rafting, as people often have a misconceived idea of it, often assuming it may be safer than it actually is.

    What are the some of the skills needed to succeed as a raft guide?

    You have to be really personable, loud and assertive. It is your job to make sure people have a great trip, so you almost need to be an entertainer. Between rapids there can often be quite a bit of time spent on flat water, and you want make sure your customers are not bored.

    What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into the outdoor adventure industry?

    Do it! There are basically two routes to go through. The first being broad outdoor adventure and education training, through companies like NOLS and Outward Bound, or college programs like the one at Algonquin (at the Pembroke ON campus) or Thompson Rivers University (in Kamloops BC). The second way to get into the industry would be to go directly to the company you are interested in working for, with no experience and work your way up.. if you take that route, you need to pay your dues.. work hard, work a lot and maybe even work for free.. but it will be a great learning experience. Specifically with white water rafting, most companies offer a guide training program. Some companies charge for this or others will pay you for it, but not until the end of the season, to ensure guides do not skip out after training and work for another company. A great certification to get that most companies will require is Wilderness First Responder.

  • Five Biggest Trends in the Job Market

    Five Biggest Trends in the Job Market

    Aging Baby Boomers
    The largest demographic group in Canada is heading for retirement. Of course, this will mean something very different for many Baby Boomers than for older generations. Boomers have maintained their health and stayed in the job market longer than any other generation of citizens in our country’s history.

    As they grow older, Baby Boomers will require more frequent, specialized medical care. They will also want to maintain connections with careers and family for as long as possible. Therefore, expect to see continued growth in fields that cater to their wishes. Growing teams of social workers and nurses will help care for the needs of these Boomers.

    Better Medicine
    The high output of the pharmaceutical industry, combined with constant innovation in the rest of the medical field, helps us live longer, more productive lives. New treatments for previously fatal diseases require new approaches for rehabilitation. Likewise, many adults expect to work far beyond the traditional retirement age. Therefore, patients demand a new generation of physical therapists and other specialists to help prolong their quality of life.
    Child Care
    As today’s parents demand higher quality from their child care providers, the marketplace has responded with a variety of programs to help meet parents’ needs. The explosive growth of pre-kindergarten educational programs call for highly trained educators who command more competitive salaries than their predecessors. Therefore, especially in major cities, the cost of caring for young children has skyrocketed. As a result, early childhood education has become a more lucrative and more stable profession than ever before. Though it has traditionally been a low-paying job, child care specialists today can expect to earn far more money today than peers who entered the field even a few years ago.
    Rapid Technology Growth
    Despite fears that many companies look overseas for development of new technology, the rapid advancement of ideas and the need for constant upgrades assures technology professionals of consistent job security over the next ten years. Businesses of all kinds have found themselves locked into the equivalent of an arms race with their competitors. Companies must provide their teams with the best equipment and resources, or face defeat.

    Likewise, continual innovation assures technology workers that new machines, cables, and other equipment will have to be installed every few years. Even Internet infrastructure, which was designed to provide nearly limitless connections, is being overhauled to accommodate a previously unimaginable number of new devices. Therefore, IT professionals who specialize in networking installation, and support will remain in demand as more businesses rely on new technology to help them compete.

    Distributed Work
    The giant factories and smokestacks of a hundred years ago are fading into the pages of history books. Many of today’s workers report for duty at smaller offices or manufacturing plants, connected by information networks and sophisticated shipping infrastructure.

    A growing number of employees, especially specialized consultants and leaders, divide their time among multiple locations at companies or client organizations. This trend has led to the use of “hot desking,” where workers report to a different workstation at the start of each shift, instead of keeping their own desk or cubicle. Many workers telecommute, allowing them to reinvest time spent commuting into more productive work or family time.

    As a side effect, more workers are relocating to larger homes, farther away from city centers. Whether they want to enjoy more peaceful surroundings or they simply want to reconnect with family or friends, these shifting workers create demand for home construction, renovation, and infrastructure development.

  • Grants for Students with Disabilities

    Grants for Students with Disabilities

    Am I eligible?
    You are eligible if you:
    – apply and qualify for a Canada Student Loan;
    – are enrolled in a full-time or part-time program (minimum 32 weeks) at a designated post-secondary institution;
    – meet the criteria for students with permanent disabilities; and
    – include one of the following with your loan application as proof of your disability: a medical certificate, a psycho-educational assessment, or documentation proving receipt of federal or provincial disability assistance.

    What’s available?
    $2,000 per academic year (August 1 to July 31).
    This grant is available for each year of post-secondary studies, provided you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. This includes post-secondary studies beyond the undergraduate level. Grant money is issued by your province or territory of permanent residence at the beginning and in the middle of the school year.

    Since grant amounts are fixed, the amount you receive may exceed your assessed need.
    Example: If you qualify for the grant and you have an assessed need of $1,400, you will receive a $2,000 grant. In this case, the grant would cover your assessed need, so you would not need a student loan.

    How do I apply?
    The application process for this grant differs in each jurisdiction. To make sure you meet all the application requirements, contact your province or territory’s student financial assistance office.

  • Career Profile: French Teacher

    Career Profile: French Teacher

    A French teacher’s task is to inspire students to enjoy the French language. Learning is made much easier if the learner is enthusiastic about it; thus, a French teacher must demonstrate the benefits of speaking and using French every day. It is certainly not an easy job, but with enough passion and patience it can be a very rewarding one.

    Education
    In Ontario, teachers must hold a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree from any recognized University. A primary/junior teacher (grades K-6) will have a degree in any discipline (although a variety of courses is recommended). An intermediate/senior teacher (grades 7-12) is required to have a certain number of courses in two “teachable” areas – for example, French and History. Then, a teacher must take a one-year Bachelor of Education degree.

    “Teacher’s College”
    The Bachelor of Education is a combination of education classes and student teacher training. An example schedule would be six months of courses and two months of student teaching. French teachers would also take courses specific to teaching French to the age group they have chosen.

    The French Classroom
    The first year of employment in any profession is often the most difficult, and teaching is certainly no exception. In teaching, there is a lot of autonomy – that is, the teacher gets to decide what happens in his or her classroom without supervision. For some teachers, this is very scary, while others love the freedom. Teaching French is unique in that it involves teaching many classes of students at different grade levels. A single French teacher may teach six different classes every day, either in his or her own classroom, or by traveling from classroom to classroom.

    Skills and Challenges
    A French teacher must be highly organized, particularly because the job requires so much flexibility. Teaching grade 2 French, then grade 4 French, then back to another class of grade 2 French requires quick adjustment and well-planned materials. The job also requires a great deal of confidence, as does any teaching position; however, the French teacher might teach in front of students as well as coworkers, if he or she is on a “rotary” schedule. Teaching French can also be challenging because many students see French as an unnecessary chore; it can be quite challenging to earn class interest and attention as a result. A solid background is also required, as students quickly become skeptical of a teacher whose French knowledge is limited.

    Rewards
    For people who cannot imagine working in an office, the classroom is a liberating environment. Teachers direct the action of classrooms, and can decide what the class is doing at any given time. The feeling of getting a student interested in French, or having already-interested students show enthusiasm in the classroom, is the reason many teachers go into education. It is an extremely challenging but rewarding occupation.

    One word of caution, however: teaching should never be chosen for the vacations or “shorter hours.” Despite what non-teachers might say, teaching is a profession that is every bit as demanding, if not more demanding, than it is rewarding.

  • Managing Your Money Wisely

    Managing Your Money Wisely

    It’s not fun being broke and it’s definitely not fun living paycheque to paycheque! Learning how to manage money wisely is a skill that should be taught in school. Unfortunately, most students aren’t taught this skill in school or at home and, as a result, rack up a lot of debt by the time they enter adulthood. If you want to learn how to manage your money wisely and avoid getting into debt, here are some simple rules to keep in mind:

    1) Don’t spend more than what you have – It sounds so simple, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t follow this logic. So I’ll repeat it again – don’t spend more than what you have. Or, more accurately, only spend what you can afford. For example, if you only have $100 in your bank account, don’t go out and buy the latest iPhone for $800. If you really want to get a brand new iPhone, then save up $800 for it. It may sound painful, and it may feel like it will take you an eternity to do so, but doing this will actually save you money in the long run!

    2) Use cash – Why? Because when you use cash you can only spend what you have (see rule #1). So if you only have $100 in your bank account, you are only going to have $100. Using cash keeps you in check. It’s a good idea, too, to keep your receipts and write down what you spent your cash on so you know where the money went.

    3) Avoid credit cards – Some people cannot handle credit cards. The act of swiping or tapping a card to pay for purchases means that some people use their credit card to pay for things they can’t afford (thereby breaking rule #1). This means that when the credit card statement arrives a few weeks later, they are only able to pay the minimum payment required and end up incurring interest charges; interest charges which are ridiculously high — 19.5% and higher! Paying interest on credit cards actually costs you more in the long run. You end up paying much more than the original cost of the item you bought. For these reasons, stay away from credit cards! If, however, you do insist on having a credit card, then at least make sure you can pay off your statement in full (i.e. don’t spend more than what you have)!

    4) Put aside money into a savings account/emergency fund/rainy day fund – Life is unpredictable. You never know when you will need to have some extra money in your account for expenses you didn’t foresee. For example, let’s say your car badly needs a $200 repair job. Do you have some money saved up to pay for the repair and still pay the rent? What if you fall sick and can’t go to work for a few weeks – do you have some money in your bank account to tide you over until then? Put a little money aside from your paycheque each month into a savings account or other emergency fund. Do not use the money in this account unless you have to! The best part is that if you keep putting money into this account and don’t touch it for a while, your savings will actually grow thanks to interest! Your money can earn you money without you having to do anything. (In this same way, a credit card statement not paid in full can incur interest charges that will cost you more in the long run.)

    Following these 4 simple rules will allow you to manage your money wisely and avoid getting into debt. Good luck!

  • Study Techniques

    Study Techniques

    It’s been a long, tiring Tuesday. Finally the bell rings and you’re set “free,” only to return home to that ever-growing pile of homework that’s waiting for you on your bedroom floor. You know – that pile of assignments that are all due tomorrow, just before the big cumulative math exam. Your mind is exhausted and you don’t want to drink any more disgusting coffee that will surely give your hands the uncontrollable shakes. You wonder how you’ll ever be able to focus into the wee hours of the night.

    Perhaps you could try a study method called the Pomodoro Technique – so named for the tomato timer that helps you balance the amount of time that you spend studying with the amount of time you stop for a break.

    Though it may seem counterintuitive to allow yourself extra breaks in such a “last-minute” crunch, some people who use the technique claim that regular breaks are exactly what you need to improve productivity and concentration.

    Here’s how it works:

    1. Decide on the task to be done. Take one assignment out of your pile of homework and prepare to attack it mentally!
    2. Work on the task for 25 minutes. This is where the timer could come in handy. Proponents of the Pomodoro Technique say the ticking of the timer actually helps you to focus because it makes your desire to complete the task physically present. Similarly, the act of winding the timer up confirms your determination to complete the task.
    3. Break for 3 to 5 minutes. After 25 minutes, the timer will ring to announce a break. Stand up, stretch, do some jumping jacks, breathe deeply, take a bathroom break, have a glass of water, etc.
    4. Then rewind that timer and get back to work for another 25 minutes.
    5. Every four 25-minute phases, (which, including the breaks, will add up to about two hours) you should take a slightly longer break (15-30 minutes) before you start studying again.

    Try to practice the study technique, or your own alternative variation, before you’re buried alive in assignments!

  • The Truth About Buying Textbooks

    The Truth About Buying Textbooks

    Can you really put a price on knowledge? College and universities seem to think so.

    Textbook prices in post-secondary institution are climbing everyday. Ironically students learn to think outside of the box and fight injustices such as unnecessarily high textbook costs. While there are viable reasons for Canadian textbook prices to continue to soar, they conflict with current ethic and socio-cultural teachings that encourage students to take a stand against price inflation.

    A Canadian entering post-secondary education can expect to spend between $100 and $1000 on textbooks per year. Typically, math and science students will garner the highest costs, while arts students are paying the least. Regardless of your program, textbook costs are far too high for the quality and quantity of material being provided.

    While students would be better to purchase books online, courses often have required materials that demand textbooks unavailable by any source outside of the school’s bookstore. By disabling students from purchasing online, colleges and universities are holding a monopoly on textbook orders, guaranteeing themselves revenue.

    Maclean’s magazine recently ran an exposé on the Canadian textbook distribution system that reveals why they are so expensive. Unbeknownst to most, a relatively obscure set of provisions to the Copyright Act (1999) known as “book import regulations” is responsible for raising the cost of textbooks by as much as 15 per cent. Maclean’s explains that it gives exclusive rights to Canadian publishers to monopolize textbook sales to Canadian schools, calling it “a form of cultural protection.”

    The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) placed the estimated cost of protecting these publishers through the Copyright Act at approximately $30 million a year. $30 million of Canadian students’ money!

    Maclean’s notes that this “private tariff” on books involves no accountability for how publishers use the extra funds. “This money is going to, generally speaking, foreign-owned distributors. They’re collecting it, the author doesn’t get it, the Canadian taxpayer doesn’t get it, and it’s coming out of the pockets of our students.” So there’s the dilemma.

    Is it right to support the Copyright Act in its efforts to preserve and protect Canadian writers and publishers? Is it better to purchase our own books from distributors outside of Canada and be more financially stable? Do we even have a choice?

    CASA is lobbying federal government for a change to the provisions, and until those happen there are a few things you can do to lessen the financial strain of buying textbooks.

    Always look for used books first from a bookstore that’s not officially affiliated with your school, that’s where the best deals can be found. Ask around campus for anyone selling old textbooks and advertise when you’d like to sell yours. If you can read assigned literature right off your computer, do it. Don’t purchase something you can access online option. Be vocal about your textbook price opinions, because awareness on the issues surrounding CASA’s efforts and the Copyright Act may cause the way books are distributed to make as much sense as the priceless material found inside them.

  • Career Profile: Journalist

    Career Profile: Journalist

    Journalists can have a specialty.  In large organizations, the journalists may specialize in only one task. In small organizations, each journalist may have to do many different tasks. Here are some of the jobs journalists do:

    Reporters gather information and present it in a written or spoken form in news stories, feature articles or documentaries. Reporters may work on the staff of news organizations, but may also work freelance, writing stories for whoever pays them.

    General reporters cover all sorts of news stories, but some journalists specialize in certain areas such as reporting sport, politics or agriculture.

    Sub-editors take reporter written stories and put them into a form which suits the special needs of their particular newspaper, magazine, bulletin or web page. Sub-editors don’t usually gather information themselves. Their job is to concentrate on how the story can best be presented to their audience. They are often called subs. The person in charge of them is called the chief sub-editor, usually shortened to chief sub.

    Photojournalists use photographs to tell the new. They ether cover events with a reporter, taking photographs to illustrate the written story, or attend news events on their own, presenting both the pictures and a story or caption.

    The editor is usually the person who makes the final decision about what is included in the newspaper, magazine or news bulletins. He or she is responsible for all the content and all the journalists. Editors may have deputies and assistants to help them.

    The news editor is the person in charge of the news journalists. In small organizations, the news editor may make all the decisions about what stories to cover and who will do the work. In larger organizations, the news editor may have a deputy, often called the chief of staff, whose special job is to assign reporters to the stories selected.

    Feature writers work for newspapers and magazines, writing longer stories which usually give background to the news. In small organizations the reporters themselves will write feature articles. The person in charge of features is usually called the features editor. Larger radio or television stations may have specialist staff producing current affairs programs – the broadcasting equivalent of the feature article. The person in charge of producing a particular current affairs program is usually called the producer and the person in charge of all the programs in that series is called the executive producer or EP.

    There are many other jobs which can be done by journalists. It is a career with many opportunities.