Archive for the ‘Workshops’ Category

Coming Soon: Trades and Technology Workshop

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

Are you looking for up-to-date information on careers in the trades and technology sectors? Skilled Trades and Technology Week is November 1st to 7th and to raise awareness of the variety of opportunities in these fields the Career Centre is hosting a Trades and Technology workshop on Wednesday, November 3rd from 1 to 4pm.

The Work Futures occupational website for BC tells us that “employment prospects for electrical trades and telecommunications contractors and supervisors in BC are expected to be above average in upcoming years.” It is projected that over half of the openings will result from the need to replace those who retire.

The website also indicates that job prospects for workers in computer programming and engineering are expected to be above average in the short term. “The growing use of information technologies will drive the need for more workers in this profession, and demand for workers in this occupation is expected to steadily increase in the longer term. Job openings will also come from the need to replace those who retire.”

Would you be interested in speaking to educational advisors about training opportunities in those industries? Mark the date for this free event on your calendars. We will also have a representative from a skilled trades employment program, who will share current information on occupations and skills in demand, answer your questions about apprenticeships and much more. Other speakers are people who are currently working locally in the technology sector, including a web developer.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. For more information and to register, call us at (250) 248-3205.

Posted in Technology, Trades, Workshops | No Comments »

Fall can mean back to school

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

But the kids are not the only ones who return to learning in September. The Career Centre has an extensive line-up of free, career decision-making and job search workshops to help you find, get and keep the right job. Here are some highlights from our employment-related workshops offered in September:

Ready, Set…Work!
Wednesday, September 19 or 29 | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Learn job search techniques to get you to work faster by identifying the skills, characteristics and experience that get employers’ attention. Completion of this workshop is required in order to take Resumes and Cover Letters.

Resumes & Cover Letters
Monday, September 20 | 9:30am – 12:30pm
Learn how to create and organize a resume so employers can easily understand your skills and qualifications and how you could fit the job. Ready, Set…Work! is a prerequisite. No computer skills required.

Acing the Interview
Monday, September 13 or Monday, September 27| 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Successful interviewing will be essential to receive a job offer. This workshop contains tips and strategies for effective interviewing from preparation to follow up.

Using Social Media for Job Search
Monday, September 20 | 1 – 4pm
Receive an introduction to popular tools that increase your networking opportunities and exposure to enhance your job search. Learn about: Facebook, Twitter, Delicious, LinkedIn, Blogs, & RSS Feeds.

MS Word Basics
Tuesday, September 21 | 1 – 4pm
Computer technology makes job search more effective. This introduction guides you through word processing basics. Using Microsoft Word, you will learn how to save, open and modify documents.

Architect Your Career
Thursday, September 16 | 9:30am – 1pm
Identify and explore occupations that fit your work interests, personality and values. Use Personality Dimensions™ and Career Cruising® to find out what kind of work is a match for you.

Creating Your Own Employment
Friday, September 24 | 9am – 12pm
Is self-employment for you? Come to this lively workshop and discover if you are well suited to running your own business. Learn about consumer trends, get business ideas and access resources to further explore this exciting opportunity.

Call 250-248-3205 to reserve your spot in any of these workshops or to make an appointment with an Employment Consultant, or you can drop-in to The Career Centre, 110-198 E. Island Hwy, Parksville anytime on Monday to Friday between 8:30am – 4:30pm. The complete listing of our schedule is available on The Career Centre website.

The Career Centre welcomes everyone who requires employment-related services in the Parksville-Qualicum area. This includes residents of all-ages from Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Nanoose Beach north through to Bowser, including Whiskey Creek, Coombs and Errington. The downtown location in Parksville provides resources, referral and individualized career development assistance and counselling.

Posted in Education, Self employment, Workshops | No Comments »

Add Fun to Your Job Search

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
 
   

Summer is here and often people relate summer to fun, play and vacations. Looking for work could be a tough task when the sun is shining and the beach is calling. So here are some ways to add some fun to your job search:

1. Start a blog or website that focuses on your interests and passions. Have you felt a surge of energy when you are telling people about your favourite fishing hole or the great golf game you had yesterday? Does time fly when you are scrapbooking? Share these passions with the rest of the world and you never know where this may lead. Perhaps a golf course hires you to help in the pro shop or a local scrapbooking company hears about your blog and hires you to assist in a workshop. Start with www.blogger.com, an easy free blogging site. Sign up for our Using Social Media for Your Job Search workshop to find out more.

2. Most jobs aren’t advertised and job seekers find out about jobs through their network. There are fun ways to expand your network, like signing up for that course you always wanted to take, even if it isn’t related to your job. Who knows who might be in the class? Join a recreation class; you get exercise and meet new people, who may be possible employers, or know someone who is hiring.

3. Pamper yourself – get a new haircut, pedicure or a new outfit. You will feel and look good and present well in interviews and when dropping off resumes. The Vancouver Island University Spa Institute offers reduced rates for spa services at the Parksville/Qualicum campus.

4. Get out in the community! Summer is packed full of festivals, markets and special events in the Oceanside area. Volunteer to help out at local events and meet people, gain more skills and enjoy the day. Oceanside Tourism Association has a calendar of local events.

Posted in Employment, Social Media, Workshops | No Comments »

New “Using Social Media in Your Job Search” Workshop

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Spring is in the air, time to clear the clutter and also entertain new possibilities. An exciting new tool to assist in your job search is social media. What is social media? It is a way to interact with people through the internet. Millions of people sign onto social media websites, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, everyday.

Take advantage of the potential to broaden your network and meet new people that may eventually provide you with job leads or employment opportunities. It doesn’t mean spending all day sitting in front of your computer and creating more clutter in your life; in fact, it could reduce the amount of time you spend on the computer. There are programs now, such as Google Reader, that alert you of any updates on job posting sites and other related websites. Instead of going to all those job posting websites, you can just visit one. Using social media for networking and job searching can be a more efficient and proactive use of your time, rather than aimlessly searching the internet for jobs. Market your skills and experience on Facebook, LinkedIn or even create a blog. Use Twitter to quickly create a presence on the internet and also connect with others. Learn more at our new workshop, “Using Social Media for Job Search” Monday March 15th from 1pm to 4pm. Call the Career Centre at 250-248-3205 to register and for more information.

Posted in Job Search, Networking, Social Media, Workshops | No Comments »

What Employers Want

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

A recent Accountemps survey indicates that interpersonal skills can trump technical knowledge in a job search. We have been hearing this over and over again from employers. “We can teach them the job” said one local employer “but if they don’t bring a positive attitude to the table we can’t work with them”.

A recent article, “Soft skills” give job hunters an edge”, in the Victoria Times Colonist, also emphasizes that having good communication skills can give you an edge in your job search. “Among the skills in greatest demand is the ability to self-manage effectively, in combination with effective interpersonal skills.”

On Wednesday November 18th the Career Centre will be presenting a workshop, “On the Job: How to Create and Maintain Success”, where you can gain some strategies to ensure your interpersonal skills aren’t getting in the way of your dreams. Call the Career Centre at 250-248-3205 to register.

Posted in Employers, Workshops | No Comments »

Career Week at the Career Centre

Friday, October 16th, 2009

This year’s theme is “Focus on You.” With the major shift in the economy, the labour market has changed. Workshops and activities are offered for the community to learn about job possibilities, and set goals towards successfully finding and maintaining employment. “This is a valuable opportunity to explore career options, gain new skills and network. Career seekers can take advantage of these workshops in order to put themselves on a fast track to success,” says Paul Pasternak, Career Centre Client Services Team Leader.

Various workshops are scheduled for this week including:

Follow Your Heart: People That Love Their Work
Tuesday October 20th | 10am – 1pm
Meet and talk with local professionals who followed their passion. Both employees and self-employed community members share their perspective about what it takes to work successfully in their industry. Also, participants gain the tools to conduct effective information interviews, and will have the opportunity to use those skills.
Join this workshop to hear stories from:
• Recreation Programmer with the Regional District of Nanaimo
• Owner/VP of Impact Visual Communications
• Co-owner/Operator of Little Qualicum Cheeseworks
• Radio DJ
• Registered Nurse with Public Health

Who should attend?
• Anyone new to the labour market who wants to explore the options and uncover  the possibilities.
• Anyone experienced with working, who wants learn from others and explore other opportunities
• Anyone interested in the professions of our guest speakers. This is a great opportunity to tap into their expertise and get questions answered.
• Anyone new to the area who would like to learn about the labour market in Oceanside.
• Anyone seeking career and educational opportunities.
• You!

Everyone who participates in Career Week receives a ballot to win an experience testing out your dream job! There will be an opportunity to job shadow for an hour with the General Manager of Tigh-Na-Mara, a radio DJ with The Beach or a personal trainer. Receive an entry to the DREAM JOB DRAW with each workshop attended.

Career Week was first established in Canada in 2004 to promote opportunities for informed career and education planning, and connects employers with employees. There is no cost to participate in this event.

Register early, as there are limited seats. For further information or to register, call The Career Centre at 250-248-3205.

Posted in Career Week, Employment, Workshops | No Comments »

The Career Centre provides targeted and focused job search activities in a changing labour market

Friday, March 13th, 2009

The Career Centre has decided not to proceed with The Spring 2009 Hiring Fair. The labour market has changed dramatically with the economic downturn, and there is no longer an abundance of help wanted signs displayed in the area. This shift can clearly be seen on The Career Centre job posting website. In January and February of 2008, there were 239 job postings compared with only 93 posted in 2009. A decrease of more than 50% in job opportunities, in combination with an increase of unemployed clients, has created a shift in the local labour market. In lieu of a Hiring Fair, The Career Centre is concentrating efforts to provide necessary workshops and services to assist job seekers by providing targeted and focused job search activities.

With free services available, The Career Centre has been bustling with clients seeking employment assistance.  Often job seeking clients receive individual consulting , which can result in the creation of a “return-to-work action plan.” A plan offers a roadmap to create success by breaking down the sometimes daunting task of finding employment.  People are finding employment with the assistance of these services.

Workshops are another focus and, like all services at The Career Centre, they are free. Popular workshops include Resumes and Cover Letters 101, which provides the essential building blocks to creating effective resumes and cover letters.

If you are seeking assistance with finding work, contact The Career Center at 250-248-3205 or drop in anytime Monday to Friday between 8:30 – 4:30. Note appointments to meet individually with Employment Consultants are booked in advance . Please book early as there will likely be a wait time due to heavy demand for services.

Posted in Counselling, Employment, Workshops | No Comments »

The Fall Hiring Fair

Monday, September 15th, 2008

The Fall Hiring Fair
Thursday, September 18th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Parksville Community and Conference Centre, 132 E. Jensen Avenue

Hiring Fairs are unique in that they put employers who are looking for employees together with people seeking employment.  It saves steps in the process for both parties.
More than Employers are attending the Fair – and you can research them now!

Preparing for the Hiring Fair
This is no different than attending an interview at an employer’s place of business so you need to dress appropriately.
Take a folder with you containing the following:

  • A list of the employers you want to meet with
  • Several copies of your resume and cover letter on good quality white paper
  • Several copies of your references, also on good quality white paper
  • If applicable, copies of any letters of reference, certificates, diplomas, etc. – do not bring originals
  • Bring a note pad and several pens
  • A list of questions to ask employers Research information on the companies you will be seeing
  • A sample completed application form so that you have all of your information at hand and don’t have to think about every time 

At the Fair
Write down the name of the person and company you are meeting with and their contact information or obtain a card from them.     

After the Fair
Send a thank you note or e-mail to them the next day.  If you do this via e-mail make sure it is in proper business language – no jargon, abbreviations or spelling mistakes.

If you have any questions regarding the Hiring Fair please contact the Career Centre at 250-248-3205 or call in to our office at #110 – 198 East Island Highway in beautiful downtown Parksville.

Posted in Hiring Fairs, Workshops | No Comments »

New Workshop – An Inside Look at the Helping Professions

Thursday, August 2nd, 2007

Interested in the helping professions? Recently Statistic Canada released the 2006 census data that indicated Parksville and Qualicum are two of the oldest communities in Canada.  There are many jobs in our community that are and will be required to serve or provide service for this aging population such as personal services, health and wellness retail and others in the helping professions. The recent July 5 blog post titled the Demand for Health Care Support further backs up the need for health care workers.

As well there is still a need for staff in other areas of the helping professions, such as Childcare and Early Childhood Education and Community Living Support Workers.

Learn about these professions and more at an upcoming workshop at The Career Centre, An Inside Look at the Helping Professions, Tuesday, August 21, 9am – noon. Contact The Career Centre for more information and to register.

 

Posted in Health, Workshops | No Comments »