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Career HeadStart: New career development program launched to help recent grads
Internship / Work Experience
Getting into your field after graduation can be quite difficult due to lack of experience. Receiving an opportunity where you can prove yourself and build your experience is key in moving forward in your career.
IC Savings understands this very common
'frustration' amongst recent grads and has launched
Career HeadStart to address this barrier. This program targets post-secondary graduates and is a 12-month paid internship program that offers valuable workplace experience, mentoring, and training and networking opportunities in order to successfully transition into their careers from school.
With Career HeadStart, the GTA-based credit union will hire recent graduates for an incremental ten entry-level positions at its retail branches in the Greater Toronto Area, or its various business units, including mortgage lending and finance. There are currently six retail branches, with a seventh slated to open this summer in Etobicoke.
Candidates are eligible to apply if they meet certain criteria: they have been unable to find work in line with their academic track and career interests, they have graduated from an accredited Canadian college or university and have been out of school for at least six but not more than 24 months.
"Career HeadStart is our way of acting on our mandate for community development. We're investing in people and developing their potential and talents," said Fausto Gaudio, president and CEO of IC Savings.
"Career HeadStart aims to help build the next generation of talent in the financial services sector, and credit unions in particular." This training and development initiative is part of a broader commitment by the credit union to employee training and development. IC Savings will undertake to hire at least 10% of its current workforce each year through this long-term initiative.
"Ontario's economy is projected to be one of the fastest growing in Canada thanks in large part to our diversified economy and our skilled and experienced workforce. In order to ensure Ontario continues to thrive, we need to ensure our young people are given the opportunities and tools they need to succeed," said The Hon. Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance.
"I commend IC Savings for providing Ontario youth with valuable experience which will help them thrive in today's knowledge-based economy."
Successful candidates will gain a foothold in the challenging job market, acquiring hands-on experience and quality skills training to complement their related field of study. They will acquire fundamental job skills in retail banking during the 12-month placement, and through mentoring, they will develop valuable soft skills, including critical thinking, selling and time management. They will also learn about the broader Canadian financial co-operative system and model.
"On-the-job training, like your paid internship program, is vital for recent graduates - it gives them a chance to prove themselves and get the experience they need to succeed throughout their careers," said The Hon. Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour.
"And I know that IC Savings will also benefit from this program - bringing in young people with new ideas will breathe fresh life into any organization, and I'm sure it will lead to innovation at this great company."
Interested candidates are invited to visit the careers section at
www.icsavings.ca for complete program details, to view the job postings and to apply. Application deadlines will vary by position and will be listed on each posting.
"IC Savings believes in a strong financial service sector, and Career HeadStart allows us to support both its growth and its success by investing in our community," added Mr. Gaudio.
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Canadians are confident in their employment
Recruitment / Demographics
Job stability in this day can be temperamental and it is stressful when your means to support a living are not secure. But according to the latest
ADP Canada Sentiment Survey, it would seem that compared to a year ago, 86% of working Canadians are confident, or even more confident in the stability of their jobs versus they way they felt a year ago. In terms of age group, millennials are the most optimistic with 46% of them reporting confidence in their employment stability.
"Confident employees are more focused and generally more engaged, which means they are comfortable with taking risks and innovating. This can lead to better performance and productivity," explains Virginia Brailey, Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at
ADP Canada.
"A confident workforce is a key ingredient in building a strong employer brand."
Job Stability Confidence
- Millennials (ages 18 - 34) are optimistic about the stability of their jobs with almost half (46%) saying they are more confident in the stability of their jobs than they were one year ago.
- A smaller percentage of older workers, particularly those ages 55-64 (24%), are more confident than a year ago, though most report they feel about the same as last year (57% of workers 35 and older).
- Almost half (47%) of Atlantic Canadians are more confident in the stability of their jobs than they were one year ago.
- One quarter (25%) of Albertans are less confident in the stability of their jobs than they were one year ago.
Keeping Confidence High
"Human Resources departments are being tasked with creating the programs and structures that support a strong employer brand," Brailey explains. "By investing in programs that build culture, leadership and employee opportunity, HR teams set their organizations up for long-term success. These investments make it easier to attract and retain top talent, even when workforce confidence falters," she added.
Brailey points out, however, that many HR departments are stretched very thin, particularly in rapidly growing organizations. "It's important that HR teams have the time to connect to the workforce so they can create these programs," she added.
Employer brand-building ideas for organizations:
- Invest in employee development: Creating long-term opportunities for employees aids in retention and builds your brand in the labour market. Opportunity-building can include formal training programs and informal assignments that build new skills.
- Work on the culture: A great culture can be a competitive advantage in attracting and keeping top talent, especially for smaller organizations. Flexible work hours, formal and informal recognition programs, community involvement, and perks such as fitness programs can help build a unique culture that can super-charge performance.
- Build great leaders: It is an old saying in HR that people don't quit companies, they quit bosses. Strong leaders are a key part of your employer brand. Your HR team should be working to identify future leaders and building programs to develop their skills so they're ready to step up when the organization requires it. Current leaders also need to be supported and coached to ensure they have the skills to pull the organization forward.
Maintaining high levels of employee confidence is a critical component of strategic planning for talent acquisition and retention. HR teams are increasingly shifting their focus from administrative tasks to strategic work, such as employer branding. |
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Job hunting online post graduation?
Job Search / Technology
Job searching can be a daunting and frustrating experience and doing so online can add to these exasperations. It is an experience most people will go through in their life time many times over and the online resources one uses when job hunting can also be unclear and time consuming.
A recent survey of Canadians aged 18-30, conducted by
Leger on behalf of
Monster Canada, found that nine in 10 (88%) recent college or university graduates indicate they applied to a job online immediately following graduation, or plan to do so once they graduate.
"Every spring, we see a spike in job seeker activity at the entry level," says Sheryl Boswell, Director of Marketing, Monster Canada.
"These findings show that recent graduates are making their time count by immediately launching into this important job search. This rite of passage can be daunting for those who have just closed the book on their post-secondary experience and may not know how to make the most of their search."
Younger Canadians frustrated by process
The majority of younger Canadians aged 18-30 (92%) have submitted an online job application, but when it comes to the process, younger Canadians have a number of pet peeves. The two aspects that were considered to be the most exasperating were: applying and never hearing anything back; and entry-level jobs that require a few years' of experience, with 81% of respondents indicating they found each aspect to be frustrating.
Rounding out the top five were: vague job descriptions (75%); uploading a resume then being prompted to enter the same information into the application system (74%); and confusing application systems (72%).
"Online job applications are part of the modern job search, but it's clear there are aspects of the process that frustrate many younger Canadians," says Boswell.
"The application process doesn't have to come with a headache. Companies may benefit from providing candidates with a positive experience, from an easy-to-navigate application system to clear communication with job seekers."
High demand for appealing job postings
When asked which aspect of the job application process they found to be the most challenging, two-thirds of younger Canadians indicated it was finding a job posting that appeals to them (67%). Coming in a close second was finding a job posting they're qualified for (65%).
"It's interesting to see that for younger Canadians, it's not only about finding a job posting they're qualified for - finding a job that appeals to them seems to be the top concern," says Boswell.
"At Monster, we believe it's important to 'Find Better,' and that's whether you're looking for your first job or climbing the ladder later on."
More than half are customizing resumes
The survey found that a number of younger Canadians are mindful of their resume content, with more than half of those surveyed (55%) indicating they modify their resume for each application to suit the job posting. Conversely, more than four in 10 (43%) have one standard resume they use for every job they apply to.
Many younger Canadians also seek out another person to read through their resume, with two-thirds (65%) indicating they do so at least sometimes. This compares to one-third (34%) who either rarely, or never, do so.
"The job application process may feel insurmountable for recent graduates, but there are steps that aspiring professionals can take to set themselves apart from the pack," says Boswell.
"Tailoring your resume to suit each job posting you apply to can show that you're keen and can demonstrate your attention to detail. And it always helps to have a second set of eyes review your resume - the last thing you want is a hiring manager to spot a typo."
Tips to stand out
To help recent graduates make the most of their online job search, Monster Canada has prepared the following list of tips to consider:
- Target your resume. Your resume is how you sell yourself. Take the time to consider the job posting and use your resume to showcase what you offer to that specific employer.
- Don't rush. It may be tempting to rush through applications, particularly if positions seem similar. Take a step back. It's important to develop thoughtful, polished applications every time.
- Proofread at every stage. No matter what stage your job application is in, or what portion you're completing, be sure to proofread what you're submitting. Skipping this step could work against you.
- Manage your expectations. You may not find your 'dream job' right away. Look for job postings that will allow you to gain experience and build different skills. You never know what doors may open down the line.
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This Week in Social Media
Please take the time to 'like' or 'follow':
Mentorship: Speed mentoring marathon is back with new virtual global mentoring
(Click Here)
May 29
Recruitment: Social media in the workplace and screening of prospective employees
(Click Here)
May 28
Career Satisfaction: Finding happiness through employment
(Click Here)
May 26
Recruitment: Computer programmer grads in high demand at Confederation College
(Click Here)
May 25
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*** QUALITY GUARANTEE ***
On our social media feeds we only post labour market and job search information, research and the occasional ironic observation. You can trust our
Facebook and
Twitter feeds. We carefully evaluate social media posts to see if they would be valuable to you.
For instance we're not going to post this video: 'Dog eats cat'. It's simply not worth your time -- but I will assure you it is far more adorable than it sounds... unless of course you like cats.
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Community Calendar
Career Development Events
Merry Maids is Holding a Job Fair in Oakville
Wed June 1st | 10am-2pm
Location: 461 North Service Road West, B2, Oakville
Link:
Please Click Here
Metroland Media Group is Holding a Job Fair in Burlington
Wed June 1st | 4pm-7pm
Location: 5300 Harvester Road, Burlington, Ontario
Link:
Please Click Here
Apex Systems is Holding a Job Fair in Mississauga
Thurs June 2nd | 2pm-7pm
Location: 1830 Matheson Boulevard, Unit 1, Mississauga, Ontario
Link:
Please Click Here
Addition Elle (Reitmans Canada Ltd) is Holding 2 Job Fairs in Scarborough
Tues June 14th | 11am-7pm
Location: 4520 Warden and Eglinton, Scarborough, Ontario
Thurs June 16th | 11am-7pm
Location: 4566 Queens Square, Scarborough, Ontario
Link:
Please Click Here
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Job Postings
Career Development Employment
(When you write your cover letter, please mention you saw this advertisement in the Ontario Labour Market Report.)
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Youth Employment Specialist
TCET
Brampton, Ontario
Closes: June 1, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Contract Employment Specialist/Job Developer
West Neighbourhood House
Toronto, Ontario
Closes: June 1, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Specialist
CORBROOK
Toronto, Ontario
Closes: June 2, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Employee Career Advisor *NEW*
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Closes: June 2, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Consultant *NEW*
Sheridan College
Mississauga, Ontario
Closes: June 2, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Counsellor
Leads Employment Services
London, Ontario
Closes: June 2, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Counsellor/Job Developer *NEW*
Community Microskills Development Centre
Toronto, Ontario
Closes: June 3, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Consultant/Job Developer, Comp #16-17 *NEW*
Northern College
Timmins, Ontario
Closes: June 3, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Job Developer
Newcomer Centre of Peel
Peel, Ontario
Closes: June 3, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Counsellor
Times Change Women's Employment Service
Toronto, Ontario
Closes: June 6, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Services Supervisor (ESS) *NEW*
PATH Employment Services
Hamilton, Ontario
Closes: June 8, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Counsellor *NEW*
Agilec
Orillia, Ontario
Closes: June 8, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Career Specialist, Employment Services *NEW*
TCET
Mississauga, Ontario
Closes: June 9, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Career Specialist
vpi inc
Oshawa, Ontario
Closes: June 9, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Settlement Specialist
Job Skills
Newmarket, Ontario
Closes: June 15, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Career Specialist, Employment Services *NEW*
TCET
Malton, Ontario
Closes: June 16, 2016
Link:
Please Click Here
Career Counsellor *NEW*
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario
Closes: Unknown
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Counsellor *NEW*
Causeway Work Centre
Ottawa, Ontario
Closes: Unknown
Link:
Please Click Here
Job Developer/Outreach Worker *NEW*
The Career Foundation
Mississauga, Ontario
Closes: Unknown
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Advisor Placement Specialist *NEW*
The Career Foundation
Toronto, Ontario
Closes: Unknown
Link:
Please Click Here
Employment Counsellor (Bilingual - English/French) *NEW*
City of Greater Sudbury
Greater Sudbury, Ontario
Closes: Unknown
Link:
Please Click Here
Workforce Specialists/Job Coaches, Disability Services Department (various programs)
JVS Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Closes: Unknown
Link:
Please Click Here
Job Search Workshop (JSW) Facilitator/Assessor
Job Skills
York, Ontario
Closes: Unknown
Link:
Please Click Here
Job Developer
The WorkPlace Group
Sarnia, Ontario
Closes: Unknown
Link:
Please Click Here
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Did you know?
Fascinating Facts
Although Ontario is a manufacturing powerhouse, the services sector is the largest part of Ontario's economy. It employs 79% (or 5.3 million people) of the province and makes up 76.9% of the province's economy. Examples of Ontario's major services sector include business and financial services, professional and scientific technical services, and arts and culture.
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Quote of the Week
Career Inspiration
"To learn something but not to do is really not to learn. To know something but not to do is really not to know."
- Stephen Covey
(You might want to remind your kids about this quote the next time they irately say, "yeah - I know, I know!")
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Ontario Labour Market Report
Suite 270, 2 Toronto Street, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2B5 Tel: 416-628-8032 Email: [email protected] Distribution of this email beyond the physical office to which it is delivered is prohibited. Information protected by copyright. © 2016 |
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