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  • Trades Programs for Women Across Canada

    Trades Programs for Women Across Canada

    Well, I can’t pretend that I don’t know women have it… a little more difficult than men when it comes to pretty much anything. When you’re trying to earn your diploma in the trades it can be even more difficult. But, JPD is here to help women in their respective fields, find programs that are right for them.

    YWCA Toronto offers a lot of great programs for women in the trades. YWCA Toronto offers a 34-week program in partnership with George Brown College. This free training program is for women interested in becoming a residential air conditioning systems, mechanic and gas technician. The programs offer things like better hours, higher pay, and a chance for self-employment. Women 16 and older are eligible to apply.

    There are also programs available for electricians. This particular one is in partnership with Centennial College for a 33-week program. You learn things like job readiness, training in refrigeration and air conditioning, and an 8-week work placement when you’re all done with the program.

    Mohawk College offers programs for women as well, not to mention they include several facts on their web page discussing women’s roles in trades: “Shortages in skilled trades have forced industry to think differently about who they can attract, retain and promote within the skilled trades. This change of view has been able to provide an abundance of opportunities for women who are considering skilled trades careers.”

    Obviously, women’s programs are not just sequestered in Ontario. British Columbia’s Okanagan College Women in Trades Training offers tons of opportunities for women to learn about the trades. They have the chance to learn about plumbing, welding, sheet metal, and automotive, among other things.

    Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives women the opportunity to attend specific sessions for carpentry (repairing holes in and applying sheath to drywall, framing walls), basic tasks in electrical and plumbing trades, and welding (cleaning, cutting tools, learning to weld steel).

    Women Building Futures is another great tool for female students to use as a source of empowerment and information, but also for application deadlines. The articles offered on their site range from Aboriginal women talking about their role in construction and local employers who are working to make a difference for women in the workplace.

    Nova Scotia Advisory Council on The Status of Women provides women with information on lots of programs readily available for them to apply to. Programs like Techsploration, Webgrrls International, and Women in Global Science and Technology are all linked on their main site so female students can look at which ones interest them.

    The time for women to “prove” themselves ended a long time ago. Women are just as valuable as men in any trade and now, it’s easier than ever for women to enter programs and become whatever they want to.

  • Why Not Volunteer this Summer?

    Why Not Volunteer this Summer?

    Summer is here. School is almost done. The question on everyone’s mind: How will you spend your summer? If you are looking to get more out of your summer vacation, consider volunteering! You will learn new skills, gain great experience for work or school, and meet tons of new people. Volunteering is also a great way to learn something new that you’re curious about, but may not be familiar with. You might discover a new passion, or a future career. Deciding where to volunteer is tough. Most towns and cities have many volunteer options, and figuring out the best fit can be the hardest part. A good first step is to think about talents you have, activities you enjoy, or activities you are curious about but have never experienced. Then you can look for related volunteer opportunities. Ask yourself, “Am I interested in…”

    • Plants, Nature, or Gardening? Your local Horticultural Society may run projects such as community flower and vegetable gardens, or planting projects in public spaces.
    • Kids and Sports? Facilities such as the YMCA or Boys & Girls Club, and community youth sport leagues, often need helpers to assist with their programs and activities.
    • Kids and Books? Public libraries offer literacy and activity oriented summer programs for kids and youths, such as games, group story time, or buddy reading.
    • Working with Animals? Local animal shelters often need volunteers to assist with cleaning cages and socializing the animals.
    • Medicine or Working with the Elderly? Many hospitals and nursing homes operate programs for volunteers to visit with patients and residents, and engage them in activities like games, crafts, and exercises.
    • Arts and Culture? Summer is ripe with events and festivals that rely on volunteers, such as outdoor music festivals, artisan and craft fairs, or performance theatre events such as those run by the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals. Summer is also fan convention season, and many cons, such as FanExpo Canada, have volunteer opportunities for a few hours, all day, or all weekend.
    • Working with your hands? Habitat for Humanity and similar programs in your area are often most active in the summer months, and usually need extra hands when there are projects in progress.
    • Social Services and Non-Profit? Most Canadian cities have food banks, Goodwill and Salvation Army facilities, and a host of other community non-profit companies and programs, all of which rely on volunteers to support their efforts in your community.

    Of course, these are only a few of the options available. Regardless of what type of volunteering you find yourself interested in, the second step is always… Do Your Research! If the event or organization has a website, check to see if their volunteering needs are posted; if not, use the contact information to inquire. Make sure you learn what tasks will be required or assigned to you, if there are any age requirements or restrictions, and how much of a time commitment they will expect from you. Once you decide on your volunteer opportunity, step three is… HAVE FUN!

  • Myths & Facts about Learning Disabilities

    Myths & Facts about Learning Disabilities

    1. Myth: People with LDs cannot learn.
    Fact:

    • People with LDs are smart and can learn.
    • LDs mean learning in different ways.

    2. Myth: People with LDs are just lazy.
    Fact:

    • People with LDs often have to work harder, but the results may not show their efforts.
    • Some people with LDs may become discouraged because they have struggled so hard, and they may appear unmotivated or lazy.

    3. Myth: Accommodations give an unfair advantage.
    Fact:

    • Fair is not always equal.
    • Accommodations allow people with LDs to work to their level of their ability and not their disability.

    4. Myth:All LDs are outgrown by adulthood.
    Fact:

    • LDs tend to be noticed most often in school, but can affect all areas of life.
    • Often by adulthood, people have found ways to use their strengths to compensate for their LDs. Many adults seek work environments that are a good fit.

    5. Myth: LDs are all the same.
    Fact:

    • LDs are complicated and vary from person to person.
    • LDs come in many forms and affect everyone differently.
    • The impact of LDs may change in different settings depending on the demands of the situation.
  • Scholarships and Bursaries for Ontario University Applicants

    Scholarships and Bursaries for Ontario University Applicants

    When deciding whether or not to attend university, for many people financial questions are at the top of the list to get answered. Luckily, there are many scholarships and bursaries available for those who have achieved academic excellence or demonstrated outstanding achievement in other areas. There are also scholarships that are awarded based on financial aid, so don’t despair – there is likely something to fit your situation.

    Major scholarships are awards distributed based on academic excellence and community involvement. In Ontario, the chancellor’s scholarship requires an application and is valued at $10,000/year (renewable) and is awarded to students whose average surpasses 90%, have considerable community involvement and who demonstrate leadership. The president’s scholarship also requires an application and is valued at $7,500/year (renewable) and is awarded to students whose average surpasses 90%, have considerable community involvement and who demonstrate leadership. The dean’s scholarship is valued at $5,000/year (renewable) and is awarded to students whose average surpasses 90%, have considerable community involvement and who demonstrate leadership. It’s important to note that, for those students who do receive a major scholarship, they are no longer eligible to receive an academic excellence award, community service bursary or leadership award. This is in line with a university’s policy to restrict the amount of funds given to any one student. The scholarships are also subject to change based on the amount of funds available in any given year.

    There are also many other scholarships that are valued at lesser amounts, but still worth trying to get. The academic pathways scholarship does not require an application, is valued at $1000 and is for those with over an 80% average and at least 30 transfer credits from college or university. The student-athlete award does not require an application, is valued at 3,500/year (renewable) and is for those with over an 80% average and are a member of a varsity level sports team. The northern and central Ontario awards do not require an application and are valued at $1000 with the criteria being that the student has maintained over an 80% average and high school was attended in the select region (northern or central). The Aboriginal and Francophone excellence awards do require an application and are valued at $1,500 and $1,250/ year, respectively. They require over an 80% average and having completed a native studies course or have taken at least 4 courses in French. Community service bursaries require an application and and are valued at $1000/year (renewable). The criteria is, again, over an 80% average with demonstrated leadership and community service experience as well as financial need.

    There are a lot of other scholarships for you to peruse to determine your eligibility on your university’s website or right here on JobsPeopleDo.com. Remember, if you apply for something you think you might be eligible for, you are ahead of the people that don’t even bother to apply. Take a chance and good luck!