Spring 2014 e-newsletter

In This Issue
Upcoming Events
SCC News
Industry News and Stories
Interesting People in the Trade and Technology Sectors

Comments or questions about this e-newsletter?   

 

Contact Michele Rogerson 

micheleR@skillscanada.com 

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The Hill Times  is a proud media partner of the 2014 Skills Canada National Competition and of the Skills Canada spring e-newsletter. Hill Times Publishing is the premier source for Canadian political news, information and analysis, and has an influential readership of over 200,000, including Canada's top opinion leaders and policy makers.


Message from the CEO

 

We are now less than two months away from the 2014 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in Toronto. All of us from Skills/Comp�tences Canada hope that you will be joining us as we highlight our 20th anniversary of competition!

 

Many exciting events are planned, and a variety of celebrities will be attending SCNC 2014, including our spokesperson Mike Holmes. 

 

As we celebrate the accomplishments of the past two decades, specifically the positive impact our programs and competitions have had on hundreds of thousand of young Canadians, it is fitting that we take a closer look at the people who have enabled that success. We can learn from their insight, because they have witnessed the evolution of the Skills Canada organization and have contributed to a heightened awareness of skilled trade and technology career opportunities. 

 

Therefore, through this newsletter, we will begin highlighting a variety of people in the skilled trades and technology world. Although their backgrounds and paths to success varied, all of these people have capitalized on their proficiency of essential skills, and share the same passion of wanting to inspire the next generation of Canadian youth. 

 

I hope to see you soon in Toronto. Good luck until then! 

 

Shaun Thorson

CEO, Skills/Comp�tences Canada

Important Message on New Canadian Anti-Spam Law 

 

On July 1, 2014, phase one of the Canada's anti-spam law will come into force. This law will require most commercial electronic messages (CEM) senders to obtain consent from recipients before a message is sent, subject to exemptions.

 

Skills/Comp�tences Canada takes this law very seriously and is aware that it will have a significant impact on its communications and business practices.

 

In order to be compliant with these regulations, we ask that you email anti-spam-pourriel@skillscanada.com indicating that you provide us with your consent to receive the Skills/Comp�tences Canada quarterly e-newsletter in the future. Thank you for your understanding. 

 

For more information about this law: www.fightspam.gc.ca 

Upcoming Events


Skills Canada National Competition 2014 in Toronto
June 4-7, 2014
 

 

School Group Online Registration Now Open!


 

Calling all students, teachers, parents and industry supporters!

 

Join us at The International Center  for the 20th Skills Canada National Competition! Admission is FREE.

 

Go online to: 

  • Register your school groups.
  • Purchase tickets for the Opening Ceremony on June 4 and/or Closing Ceremony on June 7 (coming May 1).
  • Sign up as a volunteer.
  • Sign up as an exhibitor. 
  • Register your Member Organization (coming May 1).
  • Get more information about the event.

To read more.

Skilled Trades Summit

Contributed by: CAF

More than 200 delegates from across the country have already registered for the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum's Skilled Trades Summit, taking place in Ottawa on June 1-3. 

Don't miss your chance to network with these representatives from education, labour, employers, equity groups and provincial and federal governments. To read more.

Register today at www.skilledtradessummit.ca
Skills Canada News

 

Have you competed at the Skills Canada National Competition or at a WorldSkills Competition?

 

If you happen to be in the GTA during this year's SCNC June 4-7, please join us!

 

Many exciting volunteering and networking opportunities exist for you.  Find out more.

Enter the Essential Skills Video Contest

Do you know any students in the GTA area? If so, help us spread the word about the Essential Skills Video Contest. 

Winners will get to participate in the filming of the Skills Canada Essential Skills project at the Skills Canada National Competition and will also get to spend a half day on set with Mike Holmes. We are accepting submissions now until April 25th, 2014.


Industry News and Stories

Building Canada's Future Workforce

Contributed by: CAPP    

Canada's oil and natural gas industry and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) support the federal budget measures announced in February to foster growth and development of Canada's future skilled trades workforce. To read more.
 

 

What is a Steamfitter?

 

Contributed by: Larry Slaney, UA  
 
Does a Steamfitter fit steam, and if so how does he do it? What kind of a trade is Steamfitting? The general public does not know what a Steamfitter does or what his value is in the big scheme of things.
 
 Steamfitters provide a service that is not what you'd call mainstream, but is necessary for everyone to be able to turn on a light switch, start a car, ride the subway, consume food at a restaurant, or travel by train or plane. So why doesn't everyone know what Steamfitters do for a living? To read more
 

 

    

Workplace Literacy and Learning Award

Contributed by: ABC Life Literacy Canada  

 

The Dr. Alan Middleton Workplace Literacy and Learning Award, presented by ABC Life Literacy Canada, recognizes an individual for their outstanding achievement in workplace literacy and essential skills in the Canadian workplace.

 

The 2014 submission deadline is Friday, May 30, 2014 at 5:00 PM EST.

To read more

Interesting People in Trade and Technology Sectors
Getting to Know Donavon Elliott, President of Skills/Comp�tences Canada

What is your fondest memory of a Skills event and why?
 
It would be in 1998 when I experienced my first Skills Canada National Competition in Vancouver. I had been an educator for 8 years and this was the first time that I saw students being showcased at a national event. I was bitten and knew that I needed to be part of this organization and the rest is history.

 

Gail Smyth, Executive Director for Skills Canada - Ontario

Looks Back at our Organization's Beginnings

 

You've been with Skills Canada - Ontario (SCO) for 16 years. How did you get involved with Skills Canada Ontario?

 

I first became involved with Skills Canada in 1989 while working as a Community Liaison Officer with Conestoga College. I offered to volunteer with Skills Canada at their first national competition which was being held at Mohawk College, in Hamilton. I continued to volunteer with Skills Canada until 1997 when I became the Executive Director of Skills Canada - Ontario. To read more.

Advice from a successful business owner:

A trade background brings many advantages

 

Contributed by: Don Capotosto, Owner of Gimco Limited

 

I started working in the trade of steamfitting/pipefitting as an apprentice in the early 1970's and eventually worked my way up to field foreman. In the mid 1990's the opportunity was given to me to become part owner and in 2004 I became the sole owner of Gimco Limited. I have since brought in a partner as part of my succession plan. To read more.

From hairstyling to construction, how Lilianne Dobbs fell into a successful career in a trade

 

Contributed by: Lilianne Dobbs, PCL 

 

With a family full of construction professionals, you might think Lilianne Dobbs was destined for a career in construction.

 

"The truth is I had decided to be a hairdresser at a very early age," acknowledged Lilianne. "A career as a construction professional ended up being the right choice, but it happened purely by chance!" To read more


Interview with Bill Rankin, Applications Manager

 

Contributed by: Bill Rankin, Thomas Skinner & Son Ltd.   

 


 

What made you decide to pursue a career in the skilled trades? 

 

I went into machining immediately after completing my mechanical engineering technology diploma. After spending years in the machining business in various industries, it became very clear to me the importance of earning a Red Seal Certification and this became my next career objective.   

My reasoning is that it provides validated accreditation as your journeyman classification is learned and tested before a regulated nation wide board.  This differs vastly compared to most other training programs, which award full accreditation upon graduation.  To read more.
 
SCNC 2014 Partners