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• First things first — Congratulations to Anita Makokis, from A.C.C.E.S.S. in Edmonton Alberta for winning a free registration to NATCON 2002 through our scratch and win cards at this year’s NATCON. Hope to see you at the conference next year!
• We are pleased to announce that Keltie Creed has joined the Contact Point staff – that puts us to TWO full time staff people bringing you YOUR Contact Point! You may recall Keltie’s article in the Summer 1999 Bulletin, Exploring Online Counselling. She was one of the first people to work full time online providing one to one counselling to persons with disabilities and individuals who are isolated and unable to meet with a counsellor in person. She has also facilitated numerous virtual workshops and meetings, as well as designing an e-course for practitioners interested in exploring online counselling. Her employment related articles have appeared on several magazines and web sites. Keltie is a graduate of the George Brown Career and Work Counsellor program and the University of Calgary. Welcome aboard, Keltie!
• In March, we launched C-SPACE, an interactive area of Contact Point featuring live chat seminars, discussions and networking. Read below to find out more about Virtual Chats at C-SPACE, including the Job Developers Networking Group.
• In April, we added The Canadian Journal of Career Development to our site features. Visit the Journal at cjcd.contactpoint.ca

Making the informed Choice!

Introduces

The Job Search Management System

Made up of Five Components!

1. Knowing the numbers
2. Identifying what the client does
3. Understanding the hiring cycle
4. Generating the next step
5. Managing the job search process

NEW! Provides a visual representation of the clients Job search process

Find out how you or your counselors can become certified on the Job Search Management System

Visit our website at www.flowork.com

For more information please contact us at 1-877-flowork or email us at

jobsearch@flowork.com

www.flowork.com

Need more info? Here are some contacts:

Under the terms of the Canadian Constitution, each province and territory has the responsibility for apprenticeship training. The legislation permits each jurisdiction to designate occupations for apprenticeship.

Alberta
General information: contact the Department of Advanced Education and Career Development – central office, phone (403) 427-8765, www.tradesecrets.org

British Columbia
General inquiries: contact the Ministry of Education – Skills and Training Division, (250) 387-4611 or the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology, at www.gov.bc.ca/aett/

For information on apprenticeship contact the Industry Training and Apprenticeship Commission, www.aved.gov.bc.ca/industrytraining/

For information on training programs and locations throughout the province, contact the Ministry of Labour – College & Institutional Planning Branch, (250) 356-8382

Manitoba
General information: contact the Department of Education and Training, www.gov.mb.ca/educate/index.html

For information on apprenticeship and trades training contact the Apprenticeship Division, (204) 945-3337 or www.gov.mb.ca/educate/apprent/

New Brunswick
General information: contact the Department of Education, (506) 453-3678. For information on apprenticeship programs contact The Department of Advanced Education and Labour – Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification at (506) 453-2260.

Newfoundland
General information: contact the Department of Education and Training, (709) 729-5097, career information for apprenticeship hotline, 1-800-563-6600. www.edu.gov.nf.ca/division/ineducat/instined.htm

North West Territories
General information: contact the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Government of the Northwest Territories, (867) 920-3422

Nova Scotia
General information contact the Department of Education and Culture, (902) 424-5605. http://apprenticeship.ednet.ns.ca

Nunavut
General information: contact the Department of Education, (867) 857-3050

Ontario
General information: contact the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training, (416) 325-2929 for local calls, or 1-800-387-5514, www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/training/apprenticeship/appren.html For list of Apprenticeship offices call the Training Hotline at (416) 326-5656 or 1-800-387-5656.

Prince Edward Island
General information: contact the Office of Higher Education Training and Adult Learning, (902) 368-5988 or see www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/Government/GovInfo/Education_and_Learning/Continuing_Education_and_Training/

For information on apprenticeship programs contact the Department of Education – Higher Education and Training, Apprenticeship Training Officer – (902) 368-4464.

Quebec
Le ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale www.mess.gouv.qc.ca

Saskatchewan
General Inquiries: contact Saskatchewan Department of Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training, phone (306)787-2010 or in Saskatoon, phone (306)933-5027. Apprenticeship training questions: Department of Apprenticeship and Trade Certification, phone (306) 787-2439 or www.sasked.gov.sk.ca

Yukon
General Information: contact the Department of Education www.education.gov.yk.ca

Aboriginal Participation in Apprenticeship:
Making it Work!
Report of the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Projects Steering Committee (CLFDB, CCDA, HRDC, IAABC and the Aboriginal community), June 1999, ISBN 1-895813-76-X.

Apprenticeship in Canada: An Overview,
presentation made at the 1999 National Apprenticeship Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba by Doug Muir, Director of Apprenticeship for the province of Saskatchewan, June 1999. Copies available through the CCDA Secretariat at 140 Promenade du Portage, Phase IV, 5th Floor HULL, K1A 0J9
Email: redseal-sceaurouge.response-reponse@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

CCDA Newsletter
Winter 2001 issue. Available through the CCDA Secretariat at 140 Promenade du Portage, Phase IV, 5th Floor HULL, K1A 0J9

Ellis Chart:
Comparative chart of over 200 apprenticeship training programs offered in each jurisdictions. Available in the fall of 2001 through the Red Seal website www.red-seal.ca
Email: redseal-sceaurouge.response-reponse@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

National Occupational Analyses:
Series of publications detailing the tasks accomplished by journeypersons within individual trades or occupations. Available through the Red Seal website www.red-seal.ca
Email: redseal-sceaurouge.response-reponse@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Opportunity Knocks:
8-page publication hi-lighting career opportunities in the trades. To order copies: opportunityknocks@realm.net

Red Seal Website
Official site of the Interprovincial Standards ‘Red Seal’ Program; various publications, such as the Ellis Chart and National Occupational Analyses, can be ordered through this site. As well, the site contains information on the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) and the apprenticeship system in Canada.

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF):
Newly established committee whose membership includes representatives from business, labour, education and equity (persons with disabilities, women, visible minorities and aboriginal peoples) groups. For more information please contact the CAF office at 116 Albert Street, Suite 701, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G3. Telephone: (613) 235-4004 e-mail: info@caf-fca.org.

 RED SEAL TRADE NAMES
(Listed by official trade numbers)

1. Boilermaker
2. Bricklayer
3. Carpenter
4. Construction Electrician
5. Cook
6. Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
7. Industrial Electrician
8. Industrial Instrument Mechanic
9. Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
10. Powerline Technician
11. Machinist
12. Motor Vehicle Body Repairer (Metal and Paint)
13. Automotive Service Technician
14. Oil Burner Mechanic
15. Painter and Decorator
16. Plumber
17. Electronics Technician (Consumer Products)
18. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
19. Sheet Metal Worker
20. Sprinkler System Installer
21. Steamfitter/Pipefitter
22. Welder
23. Roofer
24. Truck and Transport Mechanic
25. Hairstyling
26. Glazier
27. Cabinetmaker
28. Baker
29. Floorcovering Installer
30. Partsperson
31. Mobile Crane Operator
32. Insulator (Heat and Frost)
33. Ironworker (Generalist)
34. Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic)
35. Metal Fabricator (Fitter)
36. Tool and Die Maker
37. Farm Equipment Mechanic
38. Automotive Painter
39. Motorcycle Mechanic
40. Truck-Trailer Repairer
41. Concrete Finisher
42. Appliance Service Technician
43. Electric Motor System Technician
44. Recreation Vehicle Service Technician

In Canada, 1 out of 7 people who work has a trade certificate.
Source: 1996 Census of Canada, Statistics Canada

According to recent trade grads: 93% are satisfied with their current jobs; 73% would make the same educational choice again.
Job Futures 2000, Human Resources Development Canada

Approximately 177,700 people were registered in trades apprenticeship training programs in 1998.
Statistics Canada, The Daily. September 19, 2000.
www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/000919/d000919b.htm

As of January 1, 2000 a total of 317,488 Red Seals have been issued to skilled workers across Canada. This averages out in excess of 11,600 Red Seals issued per year for the last five years.
CCDA newsletter November 2000

Newfoundland has 600-700 new apprentice positions per year.
The Apprenticeship System in Newfoundland and Labrador, pdf report,
www.edu.gov.nf.ca/division/ineducat/instined.htm

North West Territories apprenticeship training occurs at the rate of 19.5 apprentices per thousand within the active labour force, double the national average. Over the next 10 years, 14,000 jobs will become available in the construction sector alone in NWT
CCDA Newsletter, June 2001
www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/hrib/hrp-prh/redseal/english/ccda/ccdaJune01/news01_e.shtml – news011

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF) is working to plan a National Apprenticeship Conference in 2002. This Conference will build on the momentum from the two previous apprenticeship conferences and will provide a venue and meeting place for the entire apprenticeship community. 613-235-4004
CCDA Newsletter, June 2001

With only 9% of Canada’s population, Alberta trains 19% of the country’s apprentices. Emerging occupations in Alberta are Steel Detailer and 29 new occupations in oilfield service, supply and manufacturing.
Update Apprenticeship News June 2001

There is a serious shortage of skilled workers in the Pulp and Paper industry. 49% of their trades people could retire within 3 years. There are currently only 123 apprentices. Report from The Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union and the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada (CEP_PPWC) gives detailed info on how many apprentices and workers eligible to retire in various sectors.
http://ppwc.bc.ca

BC Ministry of Advanced Education Training and Technology has a target of creating 50,000 new apprenticeships in the next 4 years

In the next two decades, 40% of new jobs will be in the skilled trades and technologies. In 1998, that number was less than 20%.
Skills Canada

Many more people in the skilled trades are retiring than are entering the system. The hardest-hit industries will be manufacturing, construction, petroleum production and transportation.
Skills Canada

The Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association forecasts a 42% vacancy rate for skilled trades by 2007 — nearly 34,000 jobs but only 20,000 skilled workers will be available.
Skills Canada

Skilled tool and die makers in the Windsor area — with overtime factored in — can quite easily average $100,000 annually.
Canadian Machinery and Metalworking, June 2000

Tips:

Unions may have training programs as well. Check their website, newsletter or local office.

Women may be able to find information on apprenticeship through organizations for women in non-traditional trades.

Don’t forget apprenticeships in fine arts. These are not regulated, but have a long tradition. Some are formal, such as EQUITY and ACTRA for performing artists, and others are informal as in professional development arts grants for visual artists.

As we launch the fifth volume of the Contact Point Bulletin, we thought it would be appropriate to recap our history, give thanks to those who got us here, and look ahead to the future.

President’s Report

In the summer of 1996, practitioners from various sectors came together to look at developing a resource for career services professionals. A number of brainstorming exercises, followed by more indepth focus groups helped refine the scope of the work ahead. In January 1997, at NATCON, the site was formally launched for the career practitioner community. This mammoth task could not have been accomplished in a short six months if it were not for the support and commitment of numerous practitioners who gave of their time and expertise to ensure that Contact Point would be the premier website for Canadian career service professionals from the moment it went live. Thank you!

Since it’s inception in 1996 Contact Point has been ‘practitioner’ driven. That is to say that the website was created and designed by practitioners for the needs of practitioners. We continue today with a strong practitioner led Board of Directors drawn from the fields of career counselling and related vocations from coast to coast. Members of the Board bring their expertise from the post secondary education sector, the private sector and the non-profit and voluntary community based sectors. Contact Point has continued to operate from its home base in Toronto with support from The Counselling Foundation of Canada and fee-for-service contracts.

The number of visitors to the site has grown exponentially over the past year. This is in part due to the extended outreach and marketing efforts of the staff and Board. Our outreach continues as we participate in conferences across Canada, conduct focus group sessions and distribute promotional materials at various international career management conferences. Information, materials and resources provided on the site are relevant and timely because of our focus on the needs of the community that we serve.

The past year was pivotal for Contact Point’s future. As we envisioned 5 years ago, there was much to be done in the career development online environment. There also was much unknown about the online venue. We anticipated that using technology as our primary delivery vehicle we would require upgrades and developmental changes as the digital world developed. And how it has.

We are now engaged in a series of upgrades and a site restructuring that includes changes to the features and functionality of our website that will support our leading edge service delivery for the foreseen future. In addition, with these and other anticipated new opportunities, we hired our second full time staff person (Keltie Creed) to assist our Executive Director, Riz Ibrahim. These dedicated staff in partnership with our volunteers will ensure that we move to our future vision with a new energy.

None of this would have been possible without the support of The Counselling Foundation of Canada – a very progressive private family foundation with an objective to support innovative and relevant services to the career counselling field. The support that Contact Point has received over the years cannot be understated. When the internet was an unknown commodity, we were trusted to bring new offerings to the online environment – when many online offerings experienced difficult times in recent years – The Counselling Foundation of Canada was true to the objectives and supported the re-structuring of the website (now underway). We are truly endebted to them for our existence and for our ongoing relevance to our target communities.

As we look forward, we do so in unison with practitioners across Canada to ensure that Contact Point will continue to be your main resource and professional development centre on-line. We have used our Contact Point C-SPACE community chats to nurture networking and support for job developers, and will continue to use this technology to bring other networking and professional development opportunities for our users (such as the chat with Danniel Star on Emotional Intelligence at Work, March 2001). As we develop more strategic partnerships and alliances in the months and years ahead, we hope to bring you a host of additional tools and resources. As always, our ears are open to your suggestions and needs.

On behalf of the Board and staff of Contact Point, I want to thank all of the volunteers, career practitioners and counsellors who visit our site and provide us with valuable feedback and support. Contact Point is committed to deliver services and resources that support you in the valuable work that you do.

Best Regards

Donna Walters
President

In April and May of 2001, we asked practitioners to provide us with input of what they liked and disliked at contactpoint.ca. We asked them also to identify resources and features they would find beneficial in a revamped site. Practitioners were asked to give their input either on-line or in person through questionnaires or focus groups. As an added incentive, one name from those who participated in this process would be drawn to win a free early bird registration to NATCON 2002. We are pleased to announce that Bev Archer of the Hamilton Job Finding Club is the winner. Congratulations Bev – see you at NATCON next January. And thanks to all those to provided us with their valuable comments!

Coming in August – NATCON 2001 Papers will be available on-line in the weeks that follow. Once again, you will be able to view published papers for the year’s National Consultation on Career Development (NATCON) conference held in January in Ottawa. Go to: http://www.contactpoint.ca/resources. You’ll find both English and French resources here. To find out more about NATCON, visit their site at: www.natcon.org

Coming in the Fall – C-SPACE gets heated up with more Job Developers Networking and Chat.

All of the Job Developers Chats have been facilitated by volunteer Lisa Hoekstra – thanks Lisa for all your time and commitment to ensure that Job Developers have a venue to connect with one another.

Look out for a series of networking and support chats on Getting into Private Practice.

What’s New @cjdc.contactpoint.ca

As the summer months leisurely roll by there has been a great deal of activity ongoing in preparation for the launch of the Canadian Journal of Career Development (Volume 1, No. 1). It has been encouraging to see first hand the significant research that is occurring in Canada on career development. Research from many sectors including but not limited to corporate, secondary, post-secondary, non profit and cross sectoral. Numerous articles have been submitted and are currently being reviewed by our peer reviewers. This process normally takes 4 – 6 weeks to complete and then comments are forwarded back to the authors for the appropriate action. In the interim we hope to sit down with our layout and design team to format the cover and contents. Launch date is late fall 2001. It is truly an exciting time!

The interest and support for this initiative has been outstanding. We have had emails of support from others in Australia, England and Ireland. Most impressive has been the support from authors completing research in Canada. Whether the author is a graduate student whose three years of research for their dissertation has finally concluded, or a professional in the field for the past 25 years, no longer does the research have to sit on a shelf and gather dust. It can now be displayed to the world to assist others coming after us to guide the way or add to the debate on current practice or theory.

With the launch of the inaugural edition we will making history. The CJCD not only provides an outlet for the dissemination of research and best practices but it also provides an opportunity for career professionals in this country to have their own journal to show the world what it is we do in the career development field in Canada. I have always believed that we do a great deal of wonderful career development work and research in Canada and we need to start telling people about some of that work. We hope this publication will help to tell our story.

To those of you who have submitted articles, thank you for your contributions. To those of you who by your support have assisted us to reach this point, we would also like to thank you, for without that support we would not be where we are today. To those of you who would like to submit an article, please do. This volume is just the beginning.

I hope you enjoy the first volume of this publication and consider it your own.

Robert Shea
Founding Editor
Canadian Journal of Career Development
http://cjcd.contactpoint.ca

To subscribe to this free journal, go to: Subscription Page

Self-Promotion for the Creative Person : Get the Word Out About Who You Are and What You Do
By Lee T. Silber
Three Rivers Press, 2001, ISBN: 0609806262
Review by Heather Gregory, Conestoga College practicum student

Self Promotion for the Creative Individual was written specifically for those right-brained folk who think and act in a creative manner, having a tendency to envision and create products that are truly a reflection of their own individualism. This includes writers, artists, artisans and anyone who has a passion to create. It is noted that right-brained individuals think and perform tasks differently than those not so creatively inclined. They may be disorganized and unfocused except when it comes to their creativity and the last thing on their minds is job search. This book is a tool to focus the creative individual on the basics of job search techniques.

Topics covered include organization, marketing your self as well as your product, knowing what you want and focusing on how to get it. It also gives advice on how to direct attention to your self so that you stand out from the rest of the crowd, but perhaps more importantly, it helps you define what you do and how it benefits the public.

Counsellors can use this as a basis for discussion and a motivational tool. The author discusses basic job strategies such as networking, appearance, follow-up and he stresses techniques for organization in job search. He also includes information on using the Internet, including the basics of setting up a web site. The book offers a broad view of career development but does not get into specifics of theory nor offer any statistical evidence that the methods work. There are no suggested exercises but there are sensible suggestions by the author to keep the reader focused on job search. It would be in the counsellor’s best interest to discuss and perhaps follow up with the client on the success of the author’s suggestions.

Job Developers

By Rachel Banks

Hello Everyone;

This article is the first of what I hope will be many more to come in the Practitioner’s Corner being submitted by individuals who work in the placement department of their organization.

Job Development is a unique area of employment that in many circumstances does not receive the recognition that is so deserved for individuals working in the field. A Job Developer wears many hats and must be able to co-ordinate a number of different activities in any given day.

The position requires an individual that works well under pressure, demonstrates a professional image within the community and is sensitive to the needs of clients, but at the same time has a solid understanding of marketing, usiness practices and awareness that training is an expensive commitment for any small to medium business.

In today’s business market, employers are cautious when adding additional staff and want to make sure they hire the right individual. With the costs associated with training new hires, it is important for Job Developers to really understand the needs of the Employer, and to present the benefits to hiring through the services available from your organization. In some cases, the services you provide may not be appropriate and you may need to refer the Employer to other resources.

In conversation with fellow workers new to the field, there seems to be a lack of understanding and support for individuals that are employed as Job Developers. There appears to be no formal training within the field and some individuals feel they are left on their own and struggle on a daily basis to provide quality service.

Job Development is a major component of any organization, particularly when promoting on-the-job training subsidy programs, as it is important for the organization to have long-term relationships established with local Employers. I have been involved with placement for a number of years and I have found it to be a rewarding experience that has provided the opportunity to be aware of what is happening in my community.

To all the new Job Developers out there, I would like to say keep up the good work and know that your efforts are much appreciated by the unemployed individuals you help. An individual you help today might not express their immediate gratitude, but may surprise you when you least expect it.

The Contact Point website www.contactpoint.ca has developed a chat room for Job Developers and meets on-line the 3rd Thursday of each month at 3:30 PM Eastern Time. I would invite anyone that is involved with Placement to join the chat room to share ideas, develop strategies and connect with fellow Job Developers.

Rachel Banks
Senior Placement Consultant/Web Administrator
rachel@jobspeterborough.ca
Employment Planning & Counselling-Peterborough
www.jobspeterborough.ca

Contact Point Relaunches in 2003

We’ve revamped and relaunched the Contact Point website! After months of overhauling, we have created a fully integrated and searchable database of the resources and tools you can use easily. We’ve also added a number of new features. Here are some highlights of what you can find on the new website :

MyContactPoint

MyContactPoint is your interactive personal page and account manager. You can organize and individualize information important to you! MyContactPoint is a powerful tool that not only allows you to customize site content to your needs but acts as a forum for your personal career development and self marketing.

This section includes : personal information such as subscriptions and password details, The Talent Bank, The Career Portfolio and a Bookmarks and Notes Page.

Job Board

You can now view current jobs by job title, date posted, deadline date, city or province. Once a job expires, postings are left on-line for your reference for an additional 15 days. We also include a listing of sample postings so that you can peruse skill sets and job responsibilities in the field. Also, Employers can now submit and edit their postings. This is a free service to both job seekers and employers.

The Job Board is now also linked to the Talent Bank. Here’s how you can utilize the Talent Bank tool:

• Individuals looking for employment can use this section of our site to highlight their career interests, experience and skill base. You can use your MyContactPoint account to enter your details, with an option to include your name and specify location. We will keep your information active for 90 days. It’s Free!
• Organizations looking for candidates can check the listing of candidates – search the page for keywords (using your browser feature), and contact potential candidates via e-mail provided. It’s Free!

Integrated Search

With a vast and growing library of practitioner driven and practitioner focused content, we have created a comprehensive website search tool. This unique tool will allow you to not only locate specialized and topical material by keyword, but also view related resources available throughout the site. Use this integrated search tool to access resources, professional development and learning, discussion threads, job postings and more.

Networking Chats

Once registered to Contact Point (through your free MyContactPoint account), you can access a variety of networking and support Chats. This is a community driven chat space and we are keen to know what you wish to chat about!

Professional Development and Learning

View our revamped Conference Listings and take note of deadlines for Registration and Calls for Proposals. Peruse our listing of College and University Programs and view those offered by distance or on-line. In the Spring of 2003, you will be able to link up with on-line courses we are jointly launching with Conestoga College (see details under New Programs and Initiatives).

The revamped website has many other features. Make Contact at www.contactpoint.ca and check it out for yourself!

Introducing www.OrientAction.ca

OrientAction: Nom propre créé à partir des mots Orientation et Action. Le mot Orientation fait ici référence au processus de choix professionnel ou vocationnel auquel des conseillers peuvent apporter leur soutien. Le mot Action ajoute du dynamisme à l’expression et, dans ce contexte, il suggère plusieurs significations : 1- l’action au moment de réaliser un objectif professionnel après l’avoir identifié, 2- l’action des conseillers dans le développement de carrière des gens et , bien entendu, 3- l’action des conseillers dans leur propre développement professionnel.

OrientAction est donc considéré comme un incontournable pour les différents intervenants qui informent et conseillent les gens dans toutes les étapes de leur vie professionnelle. Les partenaires, Contact Point et Société GRICS, ont mis leurs expertises en commun pour développer ce site Web francophone. OrientAction évoluera avec la participation des conseillers qui y partageront leurs connaissances et expériences.

Pour transformer cette définition en action, rendez-vous à www.orientaction.ca!

OrientAction: Name created from the French words Orientation and Action. The word Orientation refers to the vocational choice process which the counsellors bring their help to. The word Action adds dynamism to the expression and, in this context, signifies many things: 1- the action that comes after making a career choice, 2- the action of counsellors helping clients in their career development, and, of course, 3- the action of the counsellors in their own career development.

OrientAction is a must visit and bookmark website for every French-speaking counsellor working in the field of career choice, employment or in the social and professional integration of people in any stage of their work life. OrientAction is a partnership between Contact Point and Societe GRICS to develop a dynamic french language website that evolves through the participation of counsellors who share their experiences and knowledge with others.

To make this definition become an action, go to www.orientaction.ca!

The Canadian Journal of Career Development v2 Launched

We are pleased to announce that the second edition of The Canadian Journal of Career Development is now available on-line:

Go to : www.contactpoint.ca/cjcd

We’re Moving

As of March 1, 2003, our new mailing address will be:

18 Spadina Road, Suite 200
Toronto, ON.
M5R 2S7

Our Phone, fax and e-mail remains the same.