Thank you to the four guest speakers for sharing their insights and providing information on their organization at our Trades and Technology Forum on November 3rd. The following post provides a summary of the trades and technology information shared by these industry representatives and educators.
Rod MacDonald, Education Advisor with Vancouver Island University (VIU), provided a Power Point presentation to educate workshop participants on the benefits of post-secondary apprenticeship training. Rod explained that with training in the trades, you drastically expand your employment options, especially if you are willing to relocate. Rod offered a few simple tricks to navigating VIU’s website and explained the importance of ensuring you meet all program pre-requisites prior to submitting your application.
Jonathan Michaels from Geeks on the Beach shared how he got into the field of being a self-employed web designer – from the ground up. He does have training from a private college but he emphasized with the ever-changing world of technology and web design it is increasingly important to learn continuously and practice, practice, practice. Learn from others by looking at new technologies and websites. Also look at successful organizations and what they are doing with their online presence. A freelance web designer is just not a programmer anymore, he or she often has skills in writing content, marketing, graphic design and understanding of one or more content management system. If you are interested in getting work in his field build a portfolio and keep on top of the technology. This is a good time to consider signing up for the ePortfolio: Beyond the Resume, or other workshops, coming soon to The Career Centre.)
Lee Rowe presented the Skilled Trades Employment Program. This program helps trades industry employers in BC find the skilled workers they need by matching them up with job seekers that have some experience or a interest and motivation to start a career in the trades. This initiative can provide people with the training necessary to start out in the industry. Developed by the BC Construction Association, this program is targeted towards people who are unemployed or underemployed and have no employment insurance (EI) attachment. To find out more, contact Blair Roche, the Mid-Island Trades Employment Specialist at broche@bccassn.com or at 250-739-1679.
Michelle Annand from Excel Career College spoke about their new Aquaculture Technician Program. This 25 week program will start in January 2011 and includes a 2-week practicum. Aquaculture Technicians assist in the operation of a fish hatchery or other aquatic farm. The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance states that:
Canadian aquaculture production could reach 577,000 tonnes valued at $2.8 billion by 2010-2015. Achieving or exceeding this target would result in the following4:
• Value-added processing and revenues from related supplies and services could push the industry value beyond $6.6 billion.
• Aquaculture could provide sustainable, year-round employment for more than 47,000 people living in coastal, rural and Aboriginal communities.
The Aquaculture Technician Program provides education in this growing industry.
The Trades and Technology Forum provided an opportunity to learn about local job and educational options. For more assistance in your research into the trades and technology fields contact The Career Centre at 250-248-3205 to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our Employment Consultants.
