Helping Newcomers Feel Welcomed in Canada

 My students inspired me to share some information on trade shows, career fairs, and associations that help newcomers feel welcomed with an easier transition to Canada. Please add comments on other website links to help me add to the list of vendors, associations, etc.  If you could please also send me links to help newcomers with housing, social events, jobs, etc. that would be helpful to share on future blogs.

CAREER FAIR WEBSITES

• https://www.newcomerscanada.ca/event/toronto/
• Torontojobs.ca

CLOTHES 

• https://www.havenontheq.com/services
• Professional Clothes https://toronto.dressforsuccess.org/
• Thrift Stores:
• https://salvationarmy.ca/
• https://www.valuevillage.com/
• https://www.talize.com/

FURNITURE - free to students, newcomers and people with disabilities. Also you may want to volunteer to get that much needed work experience while feeling great by helping a community!

Furniture Donation Toronto | Furniture Bank

EVENTS - SOCIAL (sports, hobbies, interests, etc.)

• Meetup.com
• EventBrite https://www.eventbrite.ca/
• https://www.toronto.com/events-calendar/
• https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/festivals-events-calendar/
• FREE tickets to some museums, art galleries, theatres https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/museum-arts-passes/
• Toastmasters (also great presentation, leadership and other education streams). Most allow you to go 1-3 times for free before joining
• https://www.toastmasters.org/

FOOD

• If you are hungry and need a helping hand please see the below for locations near you
• Need Food? - Daily Bread Food Bank
• In Etobicoke please visit https://www.havenontheq.com/services

HEALTH & WELLNESS- Toronto

• https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/health-services-for-newcomers/

HOUSING 

• https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/moving-to-toronto/refugee-resettlement-program/
• https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/853e-newcomer-welcome-brochure-english.pdf

HORSERACING - watch for Free Woodbine (except Queen's Plate)

• Race Days https://woodbine.com/race/#!/WOT/1/2019-12-15
• Woodbine.com
• They are expanding and looking for help with the horse, casino and construction. Will be hiring for their new footie (soccer) stadium, hotel and entertainment in the future.

LEGAL 

• https://www.legalaid.on.ca/more/corporate/contact-legal-aid-ontario/

OTHER - TORONTO

• https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/853e-newcomer-welcome-brochure-english.pdf

PARKS

• High Park
• Centennial Park
• Centennial Park - Greenhouse (solarium) https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/gardens-and-horticulture/conservatories/centennial-park-conservatory/

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 

• If you are already a member of an association please go to their networking events. If not, you may want to network at an additional cost at some of their events
• PMI.org
• HRPA
• Toastmasters

OTHER ASSOCIATIONS (look at your country + Canada for association near you for networking, housing, jobs and maybe even scholarships such as the below website

Jamaican Canadian Association » INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (jcaontario.org)

RENTAL BOOKS, eBOOKS, MUSIC CDS, MOVIE DVDs, & SOME WORKSHOPS (EDUCATION, SOCIAL, ETC.)

• Speak with your local librarian on products that you can rent (free) and services at Toronto Public Library https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/
• FREE Museum and Art Pass for 2 adults and 2 kids Museum + Arts Pass : Toronto Public Library

VOLUNTEERING (which may be used on your resume and ask for a reference from the organization)

• If you love animals please consider EHS Etobicoke Humane Society https://etobicokehumanesociety.com/
• Toronto Zoo http://www.torontozoo.com/tz/volunteer
• If you want to help seniors as a friendly visitor consider helping at a long-term care home facility near you https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/long-term-care-homes/
• If you want to help kids as a friendly visitor consider helping Toronto Sick Kids http://www.sickkids.ca/CareersVolunteering/volunteering/index.html
• Helping those who are hungry and need a helping hand http://donate.dailybread.ca/?msclkid=9b420ad8e35012ef249954ec5ebe1d36&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DBFB%20-%20Search&utm_term=food%20bank&utm_content=Food%20Bank
• In Etobicoke visit https://www.havenontheq.com/services

WORK 

LOOKING FOR WORK

• Partner with recruitment agencies early (they are free to the candidate in Canada)
• See above on associations that help newcomers with job search strategies

PROGRAMS TO HELP NEWCOMERS WITH JOBS

• Indus - https://induscs.ca/
• JobStart - https://www.jobstart.org/contact
• vpi - https://www.vpi-inc.com/employment-programs/
• JVS - https://www.jvstoronto.org/

WORKING OUT - GYMS

• https://trythey.ymcagta.org/ YMCA 

Also, please reach out to your religious leader near you to see if there are any services that they can help you with or know of other associations or organizations.

For students, please reach out to your student advisor at your College/University to see if they have any information. Find out if your College or University has a career coach to help you with your resume, job search strategies and potential jobs (coop, internship, etc.)

Not-for-profit agencies that help you find a job in Toronto (FREE)

I posted a long time ago help on finding a job in Toronto if you are a newcomer but wanted to update my earlier post below...

LOOKING FOR WORK

• Partner with recruitment agencies early (they are free to the candidate in Canada)
• Don't discount networking such as Toastmasters, your religious faith (speak with the spiritual leader as they have connections and want to help)
• See the below associations that help newcomers with job search strategies

PROGRAMS TO HELP NEWCOMERS WITH JOBS

• Indus - https://induscs.ca/
• JobStart - https://www.jobstart.org/contact
• vpi - https://www.vpi-inc.com/employment-programs/
• JVS - https://www.jvstoronto.org/
• Access - ACCES Employment | Job Seeker Services | Employer Services - HOME
• Dixie Bloor Centre - Home • Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre
• Service Canada 
• YMCA & YWCA
• Youth Employment Services (YES) Job Board | Youth Employment Services YES

Not-for-profit jobs are listed here along with volunteering Jobs Jobs | CharityVillage

Also, check your College's career services and career coach along with Humber College Community Employment Centres Contact Us - Humber College located at multiple centres such as the below

555 Burnhamthorpe Road, Suite 500
Etobicoke, M9C 2Y3
(at The West Mall)

416-234-8942

Hours
Mon. Tues. Thurs. Fri.
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Wed. 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Student Resources

Please consult the following website and below

Here is the link Resources for Students: Work to Rule – Humber Faculty Union (opseu562.org)

What can you do? ....sign the below

Write Your College President | OPSEU (collegefaculty.org)

Bill 88: Ontario Proposing More Employment Law Changes

 Below from Fasken Law Firm

THE HR SPACE Bill 88: Ontario Proposing More Employment Law Changes Friday, March 4, 2022

This update is intended for all Ontario employers. Context In December 2021, the Ontario government passed the Working for Workers Act, 2021 which introduced new employer policies regarding disconnecting from work, prohibitions on non-compete agreements, removed Canadian experience requirements, and set out a new licensing regime for recruiting and temporary help agencies amongst other key changes that were discussed in two previous bulletins, “An Update on Ontario’s Bill 27: Key Amendments for Employers” and “Ontario Proposing Significant New Employment Law Changes in Bill 27”. Bill 88 is, in name, a follow up with further new employer obligations. Continue reading to learn more about Bill 88. FULL ARTICLE   Bill 88: Ontario Proposing More Employment Law Changes | Knowledge | Fasken

Mark your calendars for Mini Royal 2022 – the Hooves Hearts and Hands edition!

 Save The Date May 30-June 18, 2022 Mini Royal 2022 Hooves, Hearts, Hands In support of CARD's Therapeutic Riding Programs Mark your calendars for Mini Royal 2022 – the Hooves Hearts and Hands edition! Bid in the silent auction. Check out displays and chances to win on-site at CARD. Register for one, two or three different challenges. There will be a Hooves challenge option available in every class. Get your Hearts racing with the mobility challenge. Use your Hands to click the mouse in our online horsemanship quiz (paper version will be available). There is something for everyone! May 30 – June 18, 2022 Stay tuned for more details.

CARD | The Community Association for Riders with Disabilities-" Hooves,Hearts & Hands"s

Ice Skating at Cloverdale Mall

Register below

Bring your skates and the family for free public ice skating at The Cloverdale Rink, available daily from February 14 to March 31.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ice-skating-at-the-cloverdale-rink-registration-263313396457

DO YOU LOVE THE ARTS? Maybe join in on the fun - jobs at Neilson Park

 Employment – Neilson Park Creative Centre

Summer jobs in Etobicoke. Please apply directly at the above-link

Neilson Park is also hosting the below FREE events

On February 27th 

The Art of African Fashion and Style – Neilson Park Creative Centre

March 31st 

2022 Runway Rehabilitation at Toronto Pearson beginning April – Neilson Park Creative Centre

Celebrating Black History - February 8th

The below is from Conestoga College

 African, Black and Caribbean welcome event – February 8 

The African, Black and Caribbean (ABC) Student Committee; Bring on the Sunshine; and Student Engagement will host a Welcome Event from 6-8 p.m. that brings together the ABC community to celebrate Black history. The committee is looking for Black-identifying students and employees who are interested in participating in a short video that highlights the diversity of Conestoga’s ABC community. To participate, contact Mae Enriquez by Friday, January 28. 

AI, Robots, Autonomous Cars.... Oh My

 Please find below some interesting AI, Robotic links. How can these changes in technology improve our lives? How can these changes affect future work and jobs?

Please find below YouTube video links

Meet Spot, the robot dog that can run, hop and open doors | Marc Raibert - YouTube

PARO therapeutic robot - YouTube

Sushi Island - Bella Bot - Robot Waitress - YouTube

Restaurant Robots and Food 'Bullet Trains' - YouTube

Where hotel is staffed by robots - BBC Click - YouTube

Click 910 - The robots inside Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant - BBC Click - YouTube

Tonight Showbotics: Jimmy Meets Sophia the Human-Like Robot - YouTube

Do You Love Me? - YouTube Robots dancing

Questions finishing home loan applications? UBank's RoboChat can help. - YouTube 

AI and replacing jobs Kai-Fu Lee

As Google’s driverless cars have logged mor... - CBS News Autonomous Cars 

60 minutes of Cruise fully autonomous driving in San Francisco - YouTube

https://youtu.be/1uIzS1uCOcE Raymond Kurzweil Predictions - AI and software specialist and futurist

Hummingbird Robots: Naturally Intriguing - YouTube (camera - privacy?)

Tiny, Robotic Bees Could Change the World | National Geographic - YouTube

Will robots take our jobs? | CNBC Explains - YouTube

Japan Creates Robot Nurse Bear For Elderly - YouTube

Panasonic Medication Dispensing and Delivery Robots : DigInfo - YouTube

Reachy - It is time to harness the potential of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Metaverse for your project!

https://youtu.be/iSL39WFxCLE

ALTER EGO Series Promo | 'Dreams Become Reality' (HD) FOX - YouTube

Not-for-profit agencies that help you find a job in Toronto

 I posted a long time ago help on finding a job in Toronto if you are a newcomer but wanted to add to the story below...

LOOKING FOR WORK

• Partner with recruitment agencies early (they are free to the candidate in Canada)
• Don't discount networking such as Toastmasters, your religious faith (speak with the spiritual leader as they have connections)
• See the below associations that help newcomers with job search strategies

PROGRAMS TO HELP NEWCOMERS WITH JOBS

• Indus - https://induscs.ca/
• JobStart - https://www.jobstart.org/contact
• vpi - https://www.vpi-inc.com/employment-programs/
• JVS - https://www.jvstoronto.org/
• Access - ACCES Employment | Job Seeker Services | Employer Services - HOME
• YMCA
• YWCA
• Dixie Bloor Centre - Home • Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre
• Service Canada 
• YWCA

SCHOLARLY PAPER SOS

I hope you find this helpful for business (HR and project management) scholarly papers. 

IN GENERAL for reports  (guideline only)

• Should contain a table of contents, introduction, body, recommendations/solutions section, conclusion, reference page.  
• Ensure you have included the strategy at the beginning of the paper. Everything one does in business needs to be strategically linked to the company's goals and objectives.
• The introduction draws the reader to the paper and identifies the problems and states that you have the 'magic bullet' [not the blender shake machine] without giving the proverbial cat away.
• The conclusion ties everything together and states how you solved the problem 
• I create an outline with titles (like a shell)
• Within the body include the questions that were asked by my professor and start with answering the questions 
• I work on the introduction and conclusion together and last 
• Have a "quote" from the textbook and/or course material to support your opinion/position [scholarly argument]
  
• I start my papers with a quote from the textbook
  
• This demonstrates to the reader (instructor/prof) that the student read and applied the book to the assignment [applied learning]
• Think of including some tools like SMART goals, SWOT, PESTLE when required and to support our business decisions
• Ensure you have a reference page (aka bibliography). Please use the following website to help with APA formatting OWL // Purdue Writing Lab as well as reaching out to the Librarian and the tutor at your post-secondary educational institution.
• Appendix may be used with my course. This helps you save time and space. If you find tables, external charts, images, etc. can benefit the reader but takes up too much space in the paper you can add them in the appendix. Then you can refer to the Appendix in your paper. (example: as per Appendix A it demonstrates the different costs from 3 vendors on technical training)
• An appendix may not get marked so please ask instructors if they use/mark them.
  
• Consider using 'Constraints & Assumptions' in papers this helps save you space and like a 'get out of jail free card' [monopoly is one of my favourite games] https://www.phdstudent.com/thesis-and-dissertation-survival/research-design/stating-the-obvious-writing-assumptions-limitations-and-delimitations/
• I love the news so feel free to tie this in for instance Amazon is getting into the training space.
• Consider including externally sourced material, in addition to the textbook, to support your opinions such as Harvard Business Review, JSTOR, Forbes, The Atlantic.
  
• Please reach out to the librarian on articles for papers as they are a wealth of information
• I also, look at the back of the textbook (chapters) on what was used as well as other instructor's papers on what they like to read.
  

I hope you found the above helpful.

Anita

Resume SOS Help

I have been a recruiter and career coach and seen a number of resumes over the years. As a baseline I recommend the following but this is not an exhaustive list

If you are in College/University still I recommend seeking guidance from their career coach/counsellor at the institution. In addition, you will need to customize your resume and cover letter for each job using the job posting/description as your baseline.

• Computer Skills -- please add this section 
• Add every system you have worked on
• If you know excel advanced (pivot tables, vlookup and formulas) put it down. If you don't know research on youtube practice it yourself and then put down the above
• Actively pursuing CHRP and PMP designations (if doing so)
• No need to put down address -- just Toronto, Ontario unless the workplace is nearby
• Multiple Languages? Please put it down
• No need to list countries where you worked or went to school unless the company partners with or is owned by that country  
• Do you have a professional social media presence then list these as well as it has cache. 
• If not, you may want to create your own brand but make sure the lines of personal and professional are not blurred.
• Move Education to last before Volunteering

I also recommend volunteering at places that resonate with you such as (examples) Toronto Sick Kids, Etobicoke Humane Society, HRPA, PMI Lakeshore or Toronto chapters, etc. It takes a long time to hear back from not-for-profit organizations -- hence, submit your application early. Also, they provide references and great for networking. You can volunteer to help with social media, office administration, or as simple as being a sounding board for someone sick at a hospital or long-term care home. I also suggest Toastmasters, which is an international organization that provides help with presentations and offers leadership streams/certificates. (Goodyear chapter is held at Etobicoke City Hall when things open up again). I suggest going to a few free first and try different chapters to see which one resonates. It is also great for networking purposes.

How about furthering your education by taking project management courses on the side as HR needs PM now. Try Alison.com first and Coursera as they are free. The latter you can get a financial subsidy or audit the course to take it for free.

HRIS and HR Data Analytics is a big one too -- Coursera use to have these courses. I have also taught these courses at College.

Try researching HRIS webinars such as SAP and SUPERHR on YouTube. Practice any software -- most let you use it for 30 days free. MSProject and Monday.com are software platforms for project management. LucidChart is great for process mapping (like Visio) and organizational charts, etc. If you don't plan on using them afterwords make sure you cancel ahead of time so you don't get charged. (Always read the fine print on their cancellation policies) Once you finished learning the software then add it to the resume.

I hope this helps and let me know how things go....Also check out this blog from time to time as I post events, jobs, HR and PM material. 

Please send me Linked-In invitation , if not done so already, as I post jobs from time to time. If you are current or former student please list the college or university and what course(s) you took.

Cheers,

Anita

Upcoming events

I thought the below events may be of interest for HR students (current and former):

• June 3rd from 2-3pm with IG Wealth Management

IG Wealth Management invites you to experience an exclusive event to discover the benefits of working for a Canadian leader in Wealth Management and holistic financial planning. There’s never been a more important time to become a financial advisor. Ignite your entrepreneurial spirit, build your own business, and create something that makes a difference.

Join Walter Alonso BA, CFP and discover the benefits of becoming an IG Wealth Management Consultant at our Career Information Webinar.

Register now: https://lnkd.in/gyhaQMg

• June 25th from 5:25-6:15pm with IG Wealth Management

I wanted to share an important professional skill-building webinar that I hope you will make time to attend!

Our school is a partner of ASPIRE – a program designed to help post-secondary students to transition successfully from school to the workplace. ASPIRE is hosting a Master Class, “How to Build Effective Virtual Networking Skills” – for students like you, to help you get a jumpstart on the new normal. And you are invited to attend! The webinar is taking place on Thursday, June 25^th from 5:15pm – 6:15pm EST. And it’s free! More details below. 

Join us to learn how to build virtual networking skills to be successful in your job search and beyond. Three employers will share their best advice and answer questions about:

·       The importance of networking remotely

·       Building relationships online

·       Making connections during your work placement

·       Maintaining your professional network

To register, simply visit bit.ly/ASPIREWIL.

Thanks very much; we hope you take advantage of this invaluable opportunity.

PDF can be found here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v_8fZZuaaC5ndmtIjZztoDAY3RGJYc7a/view