JobStart Highlights

JobStart Selected by Microsoft for Prestigious Video Case Study!

JobStart recently participated in a series of video testimonials, produced by Microsoft, on how software has increased the capacity of an NGO (Non Government Organization). Microsoft accepted nominations from their subsidiaries around the world to participate, and JobStart was selected to share a Canadian story.
The video case study will be posted on Microsoft’s Non Government Organization Connection website, a site that supports nongovernmental organizations with instant access to resources that will help them advance their causes more quickly and with greater impact. Currently there are stories from Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, Poland, Iceland, United Kingdom, Austria and the United States. These compelling stories will allow for the NGO community to learn from their peers about how they are using technology to lower costs, improve effectiveness, and enable more meaningful services to the communities they serve. Visit microsoft.com/ngo for full details. for more details.
Heather Sant, JobStart’s Executive Director says “We are excited and pleased that Microsoft has chosen us as a site for the video case study. JobStart is the first Canadian Agency to receive this honour! At JobStart we are committed to help job seekers access today’s leading edge resources, and we are delighted to be part of this exciting project.”

Lieutenant Governor to Speak at Annual General Meeting

JobStart is pleased to announce that
The Honourable David C. Onley
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
will be the Keynote Speaker at
JobStart’s 29th Annual General Meeting
June 17, 2009 6:30 p.m.,
The historic Assembly Hall
1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive
Toronto

The Honourable David C. Onley was appointed Ontario’s 28th Lieutenant Governor following a distinguished career as a broadcaster. He is renown for championing disability issues. In his role as Lieutenant Governor, he has adopted two causes: the first is to promote accessibility as that which enables people to achieve their full potential. The second is to continue the Aboriginal Youth Literacy Programs implemented by his predecessor and to twin-track the programs to include a computer literacy initiative. He is a best-selling author holds three honorary degrees, was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame and is the recipient of a number of awards including The Rick Hanson Award and The Courage to Come Back Award.

JobStart Meets Honourable Dalton McGuinty

JobStart’s Executive Director Heather Sant and Communications and Business Development Manager Stephen Clow had the opportunity to meet the Honourable Dalton McGuinty on April 2 2009 at the Hilton Hotel, Toronto. Premier McGuinty was the Keynote Speaker at the Toronto Board of Trade’s luncheon highlighting the 2009 Provincial Budget.

Microsoft Onenote

2007/2008 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

JobStart's 28th AGM was held on June 18th at the historic Assembly Hall in South Etobicoke.  The event was attended by over 100 guests, including local politicians, employers, clients, graduates, community members, volunteer representatives from partner organizations, JobStart's Board of Directors, employees and management.

2006/2007 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

JobStart’s 27th AGM was held on October 18th, 2007 at the historic Assembly Hall in Etobicoke, which was decorated in the agency’s new branded colours of gold, green, black and white. The event was attended by over 100 guests, including JobStart’s board of directors, local politicians, executives from Microsoft Canada, local employers, clients, community partners, volunteers, clients, graduates, and JobStart employees and management.

The keynote speaker was Cynthia T. Keeshan, of Microsoft Canada, whose entertaining and informative address was about the transformative power of technology.

There were many client, staff, volunteer, and employer awards presented during the celebration, including the first Bob Berry scholarship. “We are very pleased to announce the first recipient of the Bob Berry scholarship,” said Heather Sant, Executive Director of JobStart. “Bob is a former president of our Board, and he has generously created this scholarship fund. It will be used to provide a scholarship of $1000 to assist a JobStart graduate prepare for a chosen career.”

JobStart’s 2007/2008 will be held at the Assembly Hall in Etobicoke on June 18th, 2008.

Award of Excellence

Since 1990, JobStart has presented the Staff Achievement Award. The intent of the Staff Achievement Award is to recognize a staff member who in the opinion of his or her co- workers:

• demonstrates exceptional compassion and sensitivity for clients
  
• demonstrates a professional approach that contributes to the quality of service
  
• Interacts with co-workers in a manner that demonstrates respect and co-operation
  
• Contributes to the achievement and maintenance of high staff morale
  
• Is an excellent role model for others.

One of the keys to JobStart’s success is its staff. Therefore selecting a winner of the Award of Excellence has never been easy as there have always been many deserving winners.

Betsy, the recipient of the 2007/2008 award has been a member of the JobStart staff since 2005. For the past three years, she has been the Job Coach for the Career Action for Newcomers program. Betsy has earned the respect of all her co-workers for demonstrating the qualities that best exemplify the meaning of the word excellence.

Everyone at JobStart would like to congratulate Betsy and thank her for her dedication and hard work and for personifying excellence.

Community Connections Career and Job Fair 
November 2, 2007
Etobicoke Civic Centre

If you organize it they will come. Come they did, and in droves, to the third annual Community Connections Career and Job Fair. About 1000 people came from across the GTA: the young, the experienced, and the newcomer job seekers. Some had only just begun their job search, while others had been looking for months.

There were 34 employers at the Career and Job Fair, looking to fill hundreds of opening in over 100 job categories. The position titles were many and varied, from cleaners, business analysts, customer service reps, and systems engineers, to skip trace investigators, corporate tax preparers, and cooks.

This event is a collaboration between Toronto Social Services, PTP – Adult Learning and Employment Programs, VPI, Humber College’s Government and Community Relations, the Toronto Public Library, and JobStart. Organizers were particularly grateful to the 12 youth volunteers from the Toronto Public Library, who helped prepare the participants packages for the event.

The online application area, located in the Etobicoke Civic Centre Board Room, was a first for this event. It was equipped with 15 laptops donated by Microsoft Canada and featured wireless internet access. Women@Microsoft Canada volunteers joined JobStart staff in helping job seekers apply online for numerous positions. Microsoft’s contribution and sponsorship of the online application kiosk helped organizers fill a gap for eager job seekers. After meeting with exhibitors, attendees were able to post their résumés for suitable vacancies immediately and onsite.

Many employers, such as Bell, IKEA, Hurley Corp, and Canadian Tire, are regular participants at this event, and they plan to attend future job fairs. They all cited the same reason for returning, including the high quality of candidates, the convenient location, the event’s efficient organization, and the excellent customer service.

Job seekers were equally enthusiastic. “Helpful and informational. Got a lot of good job prospects…Well organized. I would definitely attend another...” said one attendee. “…the event could be extended over 2 days. Thanks to everyone who made the event possible. Judging by the number of people in attendance, it was a great success!” stated another. Their high energy, motivation and positive attitudes highlight the success of this event.

The organizing committee is busy planning the spring job fair, scheduled for April 4, 2008 at the Etobicoke Civic Centre.

JobStart Career Action for Newcomers Program (CAN) Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

On Tuesday, October 22th from 8-10:30 a.m. at its 219 Dufferin location JobStart officially celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Career Action for Newcomers (CAN) Program. It was wonderful opportunity for clients, funders, politicians, community leaders and staff to come together and celebrate the programs many successes.

During her welcome address Heather Sant, Job Start’s Executive Director said –
“Twenty years since the Career Action for Newcomers’ Program was introduced, I am proud to say that we have helped thousands of newcomers to Canada successfully transition into the Canadian workplace.”

Michael Raymond, Director, Programs and Services was the event emcee. The agenda included an inspiring key note address from Elizabeth McIsaac, Executive Director, Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) focusing on the evolution of services for Internationally Trained Professional and trends for the future.

Other inspiring messages were delivered by a past client, a current client and a mentor.
The event was attended by Cheri DiNovo, MPP, Parkdale-HighPark who presented a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ to emcee Michael Raymond. The event was also attended by Gord Perks, City Councillor, Parkdale-HighPark. A special anniversary cake and refreshments were served after and attendees had an opportunity to visit the many information displays and talk with staff.

Success Stories

Computer Learning Training Centre

One of the JobStart’s coaches told Patricia, a client, about the training center. Patricia immediately enrolled in Word processing, spreadsheet and presentation fundamentals and she has been delighted with the results. She is now working as an office administrator. She feels that her training contributed to her successful employment.

Success with Apprenticeship

Patrick was referred to JobStart by his grandmother, who had seen a JobStart ad in the local newspaper. Patrick met with a Job Connect Employment Coach where it was determined he needed his High School Diploma. In order to get his diploma Patrick was referred to Sam Sanfilippo, an Instructor for TDSB, of JobStart’s LBS/GED program. Patrick succeeded in obtaining his GED, and registered with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Patrick, a registered apprentice in the Carpentry Trade, a four year – 7,500 hour program, was matched with an employer, were he has been employed for nine months.

Success with Career Action for Newcomers

" I came across JobStart through a referral from my professional accountancy body, ACCA. They informed me that a Mentorship program was available for internationally trained professionals. When I came to JobStart, I realized that the Mentorship program was only one of a number of programs. Also, I was recommended to try the CAN program first, so I enrolled in it. Through a series of sessions in the three-week long (short rather!) program, I learned much about Canadian culture / Canadian job market and what exactly is expected from a job seeker from the employers' points of view. As a result, I could represent myself in a much more professional way during the interviews and thus, I got hired as a business performance analyst after an intensive 3 month-long job search period."

A graduate from the Career Action for Newcomers program.

Success with the Employment Resource Centre

After 10 years in Toronto’s television and multimedia industry Deborah was laid off due to sweeping technology changes in her field. Within a week of being unemployed, Deborah was referred to JobStart by a friend. Deborah met with an Information Officer who assisted her by critiquing her resume and directing her to a website for job seekers in the media arts called Media Job Search Canada. Deborah also attended ERC workshops including job fairs and guest speakers. Deborah preferred coming to the Resource Centre rather than job searching from home due to the networking opportunities and interactions with staff. As a result Deborah is currently employed in the television industry.

Success with the Career Solutions

Hanna was referred to the Career Solutions program in 2006 by Vocational Pathways Inc. (vpi), two years after being downsized from her Administrative position of 15 years. Throughout Hanna’s career she has gained a great deal of experience in Human Resources. The Career Solutions program gave her the tools and information she needed to give her the confidence to find employment. Hanna has found employment, as an Administrative Manager.

Success with Job Search Workshop

I'm a mining engineer from Cuba with more than 30 years of experience. I arrived in Canada as a refugee claimant. Within 8 months I received confirmation of refugee status and a work permit. During that time I visited JobStart's Resource Centre to use services of printing, photocopying and the computer access.  There I met a really nice person, JobStart's employment coach for the Newcomers Program.  This helped me to polish up my cover letter and my resumé with all my skills, during a workshop and individual counselling. Even with some English limitations I started to call companies and specific recruiters until I was offered a really nice job in my profession.

"In my opinion, JobStart helped me to know that research is extremely important in order to find what you want and also not to be afraid, if you believe and trust in your self, you can do it !!" ~ A graduate from the Job Search Workshop program.

Success with Entry Point Program

My challenge was finding a job that was manageable with my school schedule, to gaining experience for a future career in the healthcare sector.

Entry Point at JobStart provided job searching assistance, resume polishing, and interview practice and tips, helping me find the right career path.

I was able to find a job that would help me towards my goal for further education and gain experience in the healthcare sector.

~ A graduate from the Entry Point program