Winter 2016 Newsletter

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

 

MESSAGE FROM GAIL SMYTH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As we enter a season of celebration, good will, and giving, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what my role as Executive Director of Skills Ontario gives to me. Through the work of Skills Ontario, I am always thrilled to demonstrate the positive impact our programs and competitions have on Ontario youth, and that, yes, we are helping to prepare Ontario’s youth for tomorrow’s highly skilled workforce.

I am privileged to meet so many individuals — supporters, educators, alumni, and community members — who want to get involved in our mission to encourage all youth, including women and Aboriginal youth, to consider a career in the skilled trades and technologies. Their enthusiasm and passion in supporting the next generation of skilled workers always reinvigorates my own drive to continue growing Skills Ontario so that we can deliver programs to even more youth year after year — and we are.

I am most thankful to work with such a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, and even prouder each time I hear Skills Ontario alumni say things like, “The Skills Ontario Competition was the best thing I ever did for my career,” and “The Skills Ontario Competition gave me the confidence that I needed to take my career path to the next level.” These are the moments that we work so hard for throughout the year.

In the weeks of giving and celebration ahead, I ask that you too reflect on what gives you happiness and purpose. Inside this newsletter you’ll find updates on our initiatives and events, like our new career resource, the Skills Work!® website; our Young Women’s Initiatives; calls for volunteers; and a communication preference survey, that will help us continue to improve our connection with our community.

There are so many ways to make a positive difference in the world for our youth; your involvement with Skills Ontario is one meaningful way to ensure the greatest opportunities and achievements for the next generation in Ontario.

 

Warmest wishes,

Gail Smyth, Executive Director
Skills Ontario

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

December 6: Cardboard Boat Races – Toronto & London

December 8: Cardboard Boat Races – Ottawa 

January 19: Registration opens online for Skills Work!® Summer Camps

January 24: Elementary Cardboard Boat Races – Brantford, Markham

January 25: Elementary Cardboard Boat Races – Ottawa

January 26: Elementary Cardboard Boat Races – Ottawa, Espanola

January 31: Elementary Cardboard Boat Races – Toronto

 

OUR Skills Work!® WEBSITE IS LIVE!

Click over to our new online resource for students, teachers, and parents, the Skills Work!® website! Learn how to jump start a career in the skilled trades and technologies by browsing over 60 career profiles, resources, and videos.

This exciting online resource features information for students, teachers, and parents about careers in the skilled trades and technologies across the communication, industrial and manufacturing, service, construction, motive power and transportation, and technology sectors. See a job description, average earnings, and what kind of training is required for over 60 careers in the skilled trades and technologies. The Skills Work!® website also features resources for further information and an FAQ section for students and parents, including links to all 24 Ontario colleges and information on becoming an entrepreneur.

Sponsored by Skills Ontario Platinum Sponsor, Humber College, the website was designed and developed by a second-year Web Design and Interactive Media student at Humber College – talk about skills! Skills Ontario is proud to have been able to provide a student this opportunity to further develop and showcase their skills through the creation of this website, while also enhancing the organization’s own resources for a wide audience of students looking for further inspiration and information on career pathways in the skilled trades and technologies. We sincerely thank Humber College for making this project possible. 

Explore your career pathways with us at www.skillsontario.com/skillswork - we hope to see you there!

 

HELP US BETTER CONNECT WITH YOU!

Please tell us about your communication preferences and help us understand how we can improve our communication with you. How do you stay informed about Skills Ontario initiatives? Do you follow us on social media? How can we better communicate with you? Have your say and take the short survey now!

 

SKILLS ONTARIO PARTNERS WITH ChangeIt®!

Skills Ontario is now a charity partner with ChangeIt®! This is a new way to give while making everyday purchases. ChangeIt lets you automatically round up your purchases and donate the difference to us! Read more.

 

SKILLS ONTARIO AND LINAMAR HOST MENTOR BUILD FOR YOUNG WOMEN

GUELPH – As part of its Young Women's Initiatives, Skills Ontario saw nearly 100 secondary school students across three school boards at a one-day Career Exploration Event yesterday.

Hosted at Linamar Corporation's Frank Hasenfratz Centre For Excellence in Manufacturing, the day-long program for grade nine to 12 girls in Guelph included a series of hands-on building challenges and Q&A sessions with experienced skilled tradeswomen. As part of the program, Skills Ontario's volunteer mentors also participated in a development workshop opportunity to network with other tradeswomen and work together to encourage an incoming generation into the field.

Linamar Corporation CEO Linda Hasenfratz took time to speak with the girls on the importance of exploring and pursuing careers in the skilled trades. See the full details of the event here.

 

SKILLS ONTARIO CARDBOARD BOAT RACES

Calling all volunteers! Cardboard Boat Race season is well on its way with races that have set sail in Marathon and Thunder Bay.

Skills Ontario is seeking Volunteer Judges to assist with many of our races across the province. No experience is necessary and everyone is welcome. Judges will be responsible for critiquing boat race teams on a variety of criteria including: safety awareness, boat design, and boat construction. Judges will also be responsible for timing the race, and recording time and weight after every heat. 

Please contact Solange Saraiva, ssaraiva@skillsontario.com if you are interested! See a full list of dates and locations.

 

OPEN DOORS YOUTH AWARENESS PROGRAM LAUNCHES

CME Ontario will connect schools with local manufacturers to showcase career options in manufacturing. CME Ontario will bring together the young worker and manufacturing community to showcase the importance of health and safety in the workplace. Plant visits bring the young worker and teachers face to face with the health and safety aspects with in the manufacturing business environment. Find out more.

 

SKILLS ONTARIO IN THE NEWS

"Full steam ahead"
Brian Kelly, Sault Star, December 2, 2016

"Skilled trades workshop held at Fanshawe College"
iNews880.com, November 29, 2016

"Skilled trades people wanted"
Rob O'Flanagan, Guelph Today, November 27, 2016

"Skills Ontario event in Guelph aimed at bringing more women into trades"
Chris Seto, Guelph Mercury Tribune, November 24, 2016

"Skills Ontario hosts young women students interested in the trades as a career"
Sandy Lindsay, November 10, 2016, The Saugeen Times

"Career Exploration Event in Port Elgin"
November 8, 2016, Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre

"Skilled trades workshop in Port Elgin"
November 3, 2016, Shoreline Beacon

"Trades not just for the boys"
Steve Henschel, November 2, 2016, Niagara This Week

"Technology not just for men"
Michelle Allenberg, October 27, 2016, Welland Tribune

 

SPONSOR FEATURE: ST. CLAIR COLLEGE

Why not get your apprenticeship started at a Top 5 ranked Ontario College?

Since its inception in 1967, St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, has grown from a student body of 300 to over 8,600 full-time students in more than 100 degree, diploma, and certificate programs. Four campuses stretching across Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent offer hands-on learning opportunities in health sciences, business and I.T., engineering, arts and design, and of course, skilled trades.

St. Clair’s Windsor campus is home to the Centre for Construction Innovation & Production, providing real-time, hands-on learning in skilled trades programs including carpentry and woodworking tech, welding, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more! Launched in 2007, the Centre aims to provide the right opportunities for students interested in construction trades, while focusing on the industry’s need for a highly trained labour force.

This means meaningful opportunities for young women, too. To ensure female representation in the skilled trades, St. Clair College offers a comprehensive pre-apprenticeship CNC industrial mechanic millwright program for women. The program prepares graduates for work in millwrighting, tool and die, tool and mould, and welding – and on top of in-class components, students receive 70 hours of practical CNC training. Best of all, the college offers free tuition and supplies for the right candidates.

In 2017, St. Clair College commemorates its 50-year milestone in educational excellence. With more than 95,000 alumni the College has great plans to celebrate with staff, educational and industry partners.

Finally, St. Clair College was the first Ontario College to offer any Grade 12 student who competes in the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, a $1,000 scholarship regardless of how they placed in their competition. The $1,000 is a tuition credit to any one of the College’s full time programs. 

Want to find out more? Visit www.stclaircollege.ca.