Vol 8, Issue 4, August 19, 2021
Hamilton's Labour Market Connection
Your weekly news & updates from WPH!
In this week’s edition: virtual youth committee volunteer opportunity, 
, supporting individuals with sight loss in career services, YMCA Hamilton Uplift program - advanced manufacturing, Employers need to embrace Canada’s immigrant talent pool to fuel recovery 
Virtual Youth Committee Volunteer Opportunity

Workforce Planning Hamilton is seeking young professionals interested in digital job development in the Hamilton region.

WPH has been able to connect with you individually to discuss our upcoming Virtual Youth Committee. The goal for this committee is to develop a community-wide strategy to support high youth unemployment rates and to assist youth in the Hamilton region in navigating labour market information.

This committee of youth and employers will be able to create a digital platform that will feature centralized information for youth in Hamilton. Our hope is that this information will ultimately help youth with networking opportunities, hiring processes, employer advice, and provide youth with a better grasp of what Hamilton’s labour market reveals to support with employment decisions.



Please reach out and send your resume to: info@workforceplanninghamilton.ca 
Supporting individuals with sight loss in career services
I’m delighted to have received my Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) designation last month! Putting together my application was time consuming, but it was also worth it. As I documented my skills inventory, I reflected. Looking back at the many clients I have helped and the experiences I’ve lived through was extremely rewarding! It reminded me of an important job we have as career development professionals. When we guide our clients in developing and maintaining their own skills inventory, we create immense value for them. It’s one way to help them get to know themselves.
First, Identify the Skills
It’s believed that the average person has between 500-700 skills! Many of our clients can only name a handful of theirs. So, a good place to start is to help them understand different skill categories — like hard skills gained through education and hands-on experience, soft (human) skills, and transferable skills.
An internet search provides a variety of worksheets for identifying and assessing skills. Clients can determine general employability skills or specialized skills for a particular career field. Skills fall under headings such as physical, communication, artistic, administrative, hands-on, and leadership, to name a few. Clients may want to complete the skills inventory on their own or have their practitioner help them.
Help Young Clients Create a Skills Inventory
Young clients with little or no paid work experience often think they don’t have any employment-related skills at all. We can facilitate the skills inventory process by probing for abilities these clients have developed through volunteer work, school placements, community involvement, and sports activities. A young client may be surprised to learn that those Saturdays they volunteered with the kids’ hockey club at the community centre can translate to adding coaching, planning, organization, and communication skills to their résumé and cover letter!


YWCA Hamilton Uplift Program - Advanced Manufacturing
WPH is excited to let you know about YWCA Hamilton’s Uplift Program supporting women and non-binary people to reskill in advanced manufacturing and specialized technology

The first Advanced Manufacturing cohort is currently accepting applications for women+ to complete up to three Micro-Credentials from McMaster University, MMRI, from Oct 2021 – May 2022. Training is provided virtually, on a part-time basis so that it can be completed while employed.  Eager individuals are encouraged to complete the online application form. 
 
This relates well to the recent announcement; Fed Dev announced $10 million funding towards greening of the automotive and aerospace sectors, with an eye to commercializing new technologies for next-generation electric, autonomous vehicles, and energy-efficient, intelligent aircrafts.  It is often difficult for women+ to enter these traditionally male-dominated fields - this program will provide training and job development, at no cost to participants. 
Employers need to embrace Canada’s immigrant talent pool to fuel recovery 
Although it may be difficult for us to imagine right now, in the midst of recovering from the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, the post-pandemic period is likely to be a time of immense economic growth and renewal. With Baby Boomers heading toward retirement in large numbers, immigrants will be vital to rebuilding the economy.
The Canadian government has set ambitious immigration targets over the next few years and has introduced new pilot programs to allow temporary foreign workers and international students with a variety of skill levels to transition to permanent residence. In order for businesses to leverage the talents of these newcomers, it is crucial that they are hired, trained and retained in positions that are appropriate for their skills and qualifications. At a time when organizations are finally beginning to understand the importance of diversity and inclusion (D&I) as a business imperative, immigrants present a unique opportunity.


The Hamilton COVID Concierge for Business is a one-stop online resource centre and phone line dedicated to supporting Hamilton businesses with their COVID-19 business questions and concerns.
Hamilton businesses can call the COVID Concierge at 905-521-3989 (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4:30pm) or Contact Us online.


The Hamilton COVID Concierge for Business is brought to you by the Hamilton COVID Concierge Team, comprised of the City of Hamilton and the three local Chambers of Commerce.
Workforce Planning Hamilton | 905-521-5777| info@workforceplanninghamilton.ca | www.workforceplanninghamilton.ca