JULY 2018 – CANADA

Registration for Cannexus19, Canada’s National Career Development Conference is now open with both 3-day ($450) and 1-day ($225) packages available! CCCBET is proud to be a supporting organization and encourage you to take advantage of special supporting organization rates. Super Saver deadline is September 5, 2018.

Cannexus is designed to promote the exchange of information and explore innovative approaches in the areas of career counselling and career development. The conference expects to welcome 1,000 participants from Canada and internationally to the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, January 28-30, 2019.

Conference delegates can listen to three inspirational keynote speakers and choose from over 130 education sessions. Topics will include effective counselling techniques, labour market information, post-secondary employment, career assessments, job search strategies, workforce development and serving diverse populations. An Exhibitor Showcase will bring together organizations highlighting their valuable career development programs, products and services.

Optional pre-conference workshops will once again each provide in-depth professional development. Choose among the following:

– Trina Maher, Chief Creative Spirit, Bridging Concepts | Helping Indigenous Talent Tap into Their Potential
– Elaine Newman, Founder & CEO, Global Learning | Unconscious Bias: Understand, Define, Mitigate
– Graham Donald, Brainstorm Strategy Group | Employer Engagement to Increase Hiring on Your Campus
– Rob Straby, Co-ordinator & Professor, Career Development Professional Program, Conestoga College | Use the Power of Stories to Find Gigs!
– Kristen Klassen, PhD, Founder, Brickstorming | Building Insights and Confidence for Career Development Professionals Using LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®

Here is just some of what attendees had to say about the last Cannexus:

“When I get to Cannexus, I spend the next 3 days living and breathing an amazing experience. I can’t get enough of the information, the networking and value throughout these interactions. The human capacity within the Shaw Centre during this event is enlightening and inspirational.”

– Amber Taylor, Employment Consultant, Sault College – Employment Solutions, ON

“Top-notch learning and networking experience………unparalleled. By far the best use of our staff development dollars! Highly recommend the Cannexus experience to my colleagues in the field of training, employment, skills development and career services professionals! Allows organizations and their staff team to see how their work fits in a national and international context…which is crucial!”

– Randy Lindsay, Executive Director, Futureworx Society, NS

The conference is presented by CERIC and supported by The Counselling Foundation of Canada and a broad network of supporting organizations.

For more information and to register, visit www.cannexus.ca.

OCTOBER 2017 – CANADA

The Cannexus18 National Career Development Conference is taking place January 22-24, 2018 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa. Register by November 1 for the Early Bird rate. Members of supporting organizations (inclding CCCBET) benefit from an additional 10% discount during this period.

Cannexus is Canada’s largest bilingual career development conference and will bring together 1,000 professionals in the field from across education, community, government and private sectors. It is designed to promote the exchange of information and explore innovative approaches in the areas of career counselling and career development.

Three exciting keynotes will take the stage to share knowledge and inspiration at Cannexus18:

– Chantal Hebert, National Affairs Columnist, Toronto
– Spencer Niles, Dean of Education, The College of William & Mary
– Zarqa Nawaz, Creator, Little Mosque on the Prairie

There will be more than 150 education sessions that will bring you the latest trends in effective counselling and facilitation techniques, labour market information, and working with diverse populations. An Exhibitor Showcase will also highlight a range of beneficial products and services in the field.

You can enhance your conference experience by taking an optional pre-conference workshop. Choose among workshops with popular presenters and go in-depth on these current topics:

– Understanding and Applying the Sacred Algonquin Teachings of the Healing Circle & Wellness Wheel, Annie Smith St-Georges, Algonquin Elder
– Not-for-Profit Finance for the Non-Finance Manager: Bootcamp Edition, Betty Ferreira, Restructure Consulting
– Deconstructing Clients’ Career Anxiety by Creating Positive Narratives & Co-Constructed Plans, Sonny Wong, Ryerson University
– Employability as a Strategy for Seeking Meaningful Employment, Jeff Landine, University of New Brunswick
– Transforming Leadership Skills and HR Strategies that Increase Employee Engagement and Get Results!, Ken Keis, Consulting Resource Group
– Strategic Résumés for Challenging Clients – Real-World Résumé Strategy! Sharon Graham & Wayne Pagani, Career Professionals of Canada
– Empowering the Employment Sector to Serve Youth with Mental Health Issues, Marysia Parry, Youth Employment Services Toronto

Cannexus is presented by CERIC and supported by The Counselling Foundation of Canada with a broad network of supporting organizations. For more information and to register, visit www.cannexus.ca.

NOVEMBER 2016 – CANADA

On June 3rd, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance launched its pre-budget consultation process, and invited the participation of Canadians. The focus of written submissions to the Committee and appearances in fall 2016 should be the following:

1. What federal measures would help Canadians generally – and such specific groups as the unemployed, Indigenous peoples, those with a disability and seniors – maximize, in the manner of their choosing, their contributions to the country’s economic growth?
2. What federal actions would assist Canada’s businesses – in all regions and sectors – meet their expansion, innovation and prosperity goals, and thereby contribute to economic growth in the country?
3. What federal measures would ensure that urban, rural and remote communities throughout Canada enable residents to make their desired contribution to the country’s economic growth and businesses to expand, prosper and serve domestic and international customers in order to contribute to growth?

CCCBET took advantage of this opportunity to voice some of our concerns regarding employment.

Read CCCBET Recommendations

A report on the consultations will be tabled in the House of Commons in December 2016.

JUNE 2016 – CANADA

Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers reinforced their commitment to collaborate on key opportunities and challenges facing the Canadian workforce and agreed to work together to conduct broad-based consultations on the annual $3 billion investment in labour market transfer agreements to ensure they are responsive to the needs of Canadians. Ministers made the announcement on June 28 after a videoconference meeting of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM), where they also approved next steps for the creation of the Labour Market Information Council.

Consultations will take place over the summer months to gather perspectives from a broad range of stakeholders to look at ways to improve the transfer agreements and inform future investments. This work will help support provincial and territorial employment and training programs that address labour market needs in a fast-changing economy. These consultations will be held across Canada, online and through written submissions with a wide range of experts, stakeholders and individual Canadians. Information regarding these consultations will be posted on the FLMM website.

Read the Press Release

A CHAPTER BY DONNA E. WOOD IN ‘THE HARPER RECORD 2008-2015’

NOVEMBER 2015 – CANADA

All developed countries invest in workforce development. These are measures designed to attract and retain talent, solve skills deficiencies, improve the quality of the workplace, and enhance the competitiveness of local firms. They are also meant to incorporate the disadvantaged, integrate immigrants, and help the unemployed find work. Government intervention is necessary to improve market efficiency, pro­mote equal opportunity, and ensure social and geographic mobility among citizens.

As a domain that straddles both social and economic policy, workforce develop­ment is particularly complicated in Canada. This is because our Constitution is am­biguous on whether this is an area of federal or provincial responsibility. Most pro­grams, like postsecondary education and apprenticeship, are clearly under provincial control, but there is less certainty around measures to help the unemployed. Before the Second World War, it was accepted that these kinds of programs were under provincial responsibility. Often the federal government helped financially. After the devastation of the Depression in the 1930s, the federal government and all the provinces agreed, in 1940, to a constitutional amendment transferring significant responsibilities to Ottawa through a national unemployment insurance program.

By the 1990s, Ottawa dominated the policy area through a network of about 500 Canada Employment Centres across the country, delivering both income sup­port and employment services. In 1996, the federal Liberal government offered to transfer responsibility for employment services back to the provinces. Ottawa kept responsibility for income support. It did this by concluding a series of agreements paid for out of money contributed by employers and workers to the employment insurance (EI) fund. Ottawa’s intention was to show “flexible federalism” follow­ing the Quebec referendum on sovereignty.

When the Harper Conservatives came to power in 2006, the job was half done, with devolved labour market development agreements or LMDAs signed in eight jurisdictions. There were co-managed agreements in the remaining five. The new government aspired to have “the best educated, most skilled, and most flexible workforce in the world.” To achieve this goal, not only did the government need to figure out what to do, but the equally important question of who should do it also needed to be worked out.

The chapter looks at the Harper government’s record in workforce development since 2006.

Read the full chapter on Policy Alternatives

SEPTEMBER 2015 – CANADA

The current election campaigning has heard much about the economy and some about jobs. However, very little has been said specifically about how sustainable economy and employment goals will be achieved on the ground in communities across Canada. We are asking political parties to communicate their position on this issue and to commit to ensuring that all people have access to community-based services that support their pursuit of meaningful employment and social inclusion.

Read our Position Paper

AUGUST 2015 – CANADA

The Cannexus16 National Career Development Conference is taking place January 25-27, 2016 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa. Register by September 9 for the Super Saver rate. Members of supporting organizations benefit from an additional 10% discount during this period.

Cannexus is Canada’s largest bilingual career development conference and will bring together 800 professionals in the field from across education, community organizations, government and the private sector. It is designed to promote the exchange of information and explore innovative approaches in the areas of career counselling and career development.

Delegates will be informed and inspired by four game-changing keynotes:

–  Spencer Niles, Dean & Professor, School of Education, The College of William and Mary
–  Ratna Omidvar, Executive Director, Global Diversity Exchange
–  The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, Chair, Truth and Reconcilliation Comission of Canada
–  Wab Kinew, Writer, Journalist, Honourary Truth and Reconcilliation Commission Witness

There will be more than 130 education sessions that will bring you the latest trends in effective counselling and facilitation techniques, labour market information, emerging technology and tools, and working with diverse populations. An Exhibitor Showcase will also highlight a range of beneficial products and services in the field.

You can enhance your conference experience by taking an optional pre-conference workshop. Choose among workshops with four popular presenters and go in-depth on these topics:

–  Courageous Career Development: Helping Practitioners Find the Courage to Be Their Authentic Self, Herky Cutler
–  Hope-Centered Career Development Toolkit, Dr Norman Amundson and Spencer Niles
–  Effective Coaching Skills for Career Counsellors, Richard Knowdell
–  Developing an Employer Engagement Action Plan, Mike Fazio

You can also extend your Cannexus15 learning with our post-conference workshop on Return of the Job Search Zombie: Proven Strategies for Motivating the Unmotivated with the highly regarded Dan Walmsely.

Cannexus is presented by the Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling (CERIC) and supported by The Counselling Foundation of Canada with a broad network of supporting organizations.

For more information and to register, visit www.cannexus.ca.

JULY 2015 – CANADA

Labour market ministers from across Canada agreed today to continue to take ambitious action to improve economic opportunities for Canadians. These actions include:

– creating a Labour Market Information Council;
– accelerating harmonization of Red Seal apprenticeship training;
– working with regulators to establish more ambitious timelines for international qualification recognition.

The discussions were part of a meeting of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM), co-chaired by Sam Hamad, Québec Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, and the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, federal Minister of Employment and Social Development.

Read the Press Release

JUNE 2015 – CANADA

This event brings together world leaders who represent ministries of Education, Labor, and Youth, academic institutions and community-based organizations. The 2015 theme, “Building the Talent Pipeline and Providing Youth with Hope for the Future”, focuses on the challenges facing governments, employers, and communities to ensure young people have economically viable futures.

By participating in the symposium, world leaders have the opportunity to engage in powerful, detailed discussions with career guidance policy-analysts to create new policies that will have a major impact on issues such as youth unemployment and the disconnect between education and employment.

The 2015 International Symposium has two specific goals:

–   To engage emerging nations in deeper discussions regarding the role of career guidance in the education and employment sectors and its impact on economic development;
–   To facilitate conversations, awareness, and support for youth workforce development initiatives.

The 2015 International Symposium is hosted by Kuder Inc. in partnership with ICCDPP and will be held June 14-17, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.

Read the Canada Paper

To read the other country papers and sub-theme syntheses, please visit www.is2015.org

MAY 2015 – CANADA

Career Challenge Reveals Canadians Need and Want Support Finding Career Satisfaction

Today, the Canadian Council for Career Development (CCCD) released their findings for the Career Development Challenge. CCCD found that while participants are eager to be satisfied in their careers, they aren’t sure how to access information and resources that could help them. Career development professionals are well positioned to bridge that gap to ensure Canadians are happy, engaged and fulfilled at any stage of their careers.

Nearly four thousand participants took part in the Challenge which was launched in November during Canada Career Week. The interactive quiz was a free, online tool that anyone could use to learn more about their personal skill and will as both relate to managing their career now and for the future.

Read the full Press Release

See the Infographic Summary

MARCH 2015 – CANADA

The job market is constantly in flux, and the needs and attitudes of Canadians evolve with it. In order to gain a fresh, up-to-date perspective on how Canadians use and access career and employment counselling services, CERIC along with The Counselling Foundation of Canada commissioned a nationwide survey of adult Canadians.

Survey findings reveal who is most likely to access career services: those who define themselves as having a “career,” those who say they have a “job” or students. Findings also explore which types of career professionals Canadians are most likely to meet with, perceived effectiveness and barriers to accessing career services. The online survey of 1,500 Canadians was conducted by Navigator Ltd. in November 2014.

Read the Infographic Summary

Read the Full Report

FEBRUARY 2015 – CANADA

The House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) recently published its study on the renewal of the Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs).

This report is divided into six chapters. The first chapter provides a description of LMDAs and Employment Benefits and Supports Measures (EBSMs) including some statistical data, and a short description of complementary labour market agreements. Based on the testimony, it discusses the renewal process of LMDAs and presents some recommendations for the new generation of agreements. The second chapter focuses on testimony on accountability issues with regard to the current LMDAs and how to improve performance measurement and reporting in the new LMDAs. Based on the testimony, it includes a recommendation to create a new accountability framework. This framework would consist of new monitoring mechanisms including a diversity of stakeholders and the federal/provincial/territorial governments. The third chapter deals with the important topic of labour market information. Based on the testimony of many witnesses, it describes the limits of the current system and makes recommendations to improve the collection and sharing of labour market information.

The fourth chapter presents testimony on expanding eligibility for employment benefits offered under the LMDAs. It presents many aspects of this issue as discussed by witnesses. It asks the question of who should be eligible for employment benefits funded by LMDAs and makes recommendations to expand access to employment benefits. In connexion with that, this chapter also reviews the testimony related to Employment Insurance (EI) eligibility and the duration of the period of receipt of EI benefits. Finally, it presents testimony on the types of training programs, the costs of expanding accessibility to employment benefits and touches on the importance of facilitating interprovincial mobility for workers and persons in training. The fifth chapter presents testimony on the necessity to reach unemployed individuals as soon as possible after the loss of employment to assess their needs and get them involved in training that will lead to meaningful employment. Based on testimony, it suggests better collaboration between the federal/provincial/territorial governments to coordinate and share the information captured by the EI system and provincial/territorial training delivery services. The sixth chapter presents testimony on greater employer engagement in skills development and training that can be accomplished through employers’ contribution to training programs and their participation in labour market forums. In addition, this chapter reviews testimony on some provincial and international best practices in terms of employers’ involvement mechanisms. Finally, it describes some employers’ initiatives currently on the go in different parts of Canada, as well as challenges faced by some employers and solutions and recommendations brought up by witnesses.

Read the full report

DECEMBER 2014 – CANADA

Join us at the Cannexus15 National Career Development Conference

The Cannexus15 National Career Development Conference is taking place January 26-28, 2015 at the Ottawa Convention Centre. The Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Employability Training (CCCBET) is proud to be a Cannexus supporting organization again this year and is pleased to be able to offer members a discount on conference registration.

Cannexus is Canada’s largest bilingual career development conference and will bring together 800 professionals in the field from across education, community organizations, government and the private sector. It is designed to promote the exchange of information and explore innovative approaches in the areas of career counselling and career development.

Delegates will be informed and inspired by three exceptional keynotes from these Canadian leaders:

–   Jaime Watt, Executive Chairman, Navigator Ltd & Public Affairs Commentator
–   Dr Nancy Arthur, Professor & Associate Dean Research, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary
–   The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, 26th Governor General of Canada

There will be more than 150 education sessions that will bring you the latest trends in effective counselling and facilitation techniques, labour market information, emerging technology and tools, and working with diverse populations. An Exhibitor Showcase will also highlight a range of beneficial products and services in the field.

CERIC’s 10th anniversary celebrations culminate at Cannexus15 with Spark! This series of TEDx-style talks on diverse topics will provide the “spark” for you to think differently about your work.

You can enhance your conference experience by taking an optional pre-conference workshop. Choose among workshops with four popular presenters and go in-depth on these topics:

–   Managing in an Outcome-Based Performance Measurement Framework, Sarah Delicate
–   Going Public: Survival Strategies for Introverts with an Audience, Yvonne Rodney
–   Analogical Reasoning: The Use of Metaphors and Stories in Career Development, Dr Norman Amundson
–   Developing a Digital Identity for Career Enhancement, Tang Choy

You can also extend your Cannexus15 learning with our post-conference workshop on Positive Psychology with the highly regarded Louisa Jewell.

Cannexus is presented by the Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling (CERIC) and supported by The Counselling Foundation of Canada with a broad network of supporting organizations.

For more information and to register, visit www.cannexus.ca.

NOVEMBER 2014 – CANADA

The Canadian Council for Career Development (CCCD) just launched its first online career service tool, the Career Development Challenge.

This Challenge is an engaging and informative, interactive quiz. The Challenge will explore Canadian’s career competence and motivation. The Challenge is a free tool that anyone can use to learn more about their personal skill and will as they relate to personal Career Development. It takes only five to ten minutes to do and upon completion, will deliver personalized feedback and resources to learn more about different career paths, services and provide tips for career exploration.

Results of Canadian career skill and will are set to be released in 2015.

Read the full release

Take the Challenge!

OCTOBER 2014 – CANADA

At the end of 2013-14, the Labour Market Agreements (LMA) expired. In Budget 2013, the federal government announced the Canada Job Grant as the replacement to the LMA. Provinces and territories immediately rejected that proposal. Over the course of the next year, bilateral negotiations were held with each province and territory. Announcements of signed agreements and agreements in principle began to emerge in the spring of 2014. The outcome was the Canada Job Fund (CJF) of which the Canada Job Grant (CJG) was a major element.

Independent consultant and expert advisor Brigid Hayes prepared a report on the new Canada Job Fund this summer for CUPE, highlighting some concerns and issues.

Read the summary

The full report and summary are also available on Brigid Hayes’ blog.

SEPTEMBER 2014 – CANADA

The Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Employability Training is pleased to be partnering with the Conference Board of Canada on this exciting event. As part of our partnership, we’re able to offer our valued contacts the special rate of $700 off the total registration fee! For more information on how you can take advantage of this special rate, please see below.

The Conference Board is pleased to announce that the 2nd Skills and Post-Secondary Education Summit 2014: Developing the Skills and PSE Strategy for Canada will be taking place November 5-6 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Don’t miss this chance to meet hundreds of national and international stakeholders and share your views and insights on the future of the PSE system in Canada.

In addition to featuring the latest global best practices and original research you’ve come to expect, this event will also give you the chance to view and provide your input on the pre-draft Skills and Post-Secondary Education Strategy for Canada—a comprehensive, action-oriented framework that expresses a shared vision for the future of PSE in Canada, specific goals, and actions to achieve the required changes in the medium- to long-term.

You’ll receive a copy of the pre-draft Skills and PSE Strategy for Canada prior to the Summit, and will be invited to take part in interactive discussions and consultations throughout the event. This is an exclusive opportunity to provide your input on key issues related to the content, development, and implementation of the Strategy, so don’t delay in securing your place!

Our draft Summit agenda is now online for viewing, and already features some of Canada’s top experts on our Post Secondary Education system.  You’ll hear from speakers such as:

–  Dr. Carl G. Amrhein, Provost and Vice-President (Academic), University of Alberta
–  Dr. Michael R. Bloom, Vice-President, Industry and Business Strategy, The Conference Board of Canada
–  Dr. Robert J. Birgeneau, Chancellor Emeritus; Arnold and Barbara Silverman Distinguished Professor of Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, and Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley
–  Cheryl Jensen, President-Elect, Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
–  Dr. Alice Pitt, Vice-Provost, Academic, York University
–  Diana S. MacKay, Director, Education, Skills and Immigration, The Conference Board of Canada
–  Xinyu Yang, Minister Counsellor, Chinese Embassy to Canada

Save with our special partner rate!

Register today using the online registration system and quote rebate code PRM15 to save $700 off of the total summit fee! Please note that this rate is available for non-registered delegates only. Space is limited, so reserve your place today! For more information on this program or your special registration rate, please contact Joel Elliott at elliott@conferenceboard.ca Please note that this event will be presented in English only.

AUGUST 2014 – CANADA

Dr. Donna E. Wood appeared on June 10, 2014, before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) regarding the study of Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs).

Dr. Donna E. Wood presented governance arrangements post-devolution of employment services in all provinces and territories. She argues that devolution has led to many positive outcomes. Provincial governments have now developed a significant capacity, expertise, and knowledge in the policy domain. The current agreements have provided provinces with enough flexibility to match programming to local conditions, thereby improving program effectiveness. Three suggestions are presented regarding the clarification of federal-provincial roles and responsibilities.

First, that our 14 governments collectively undertake to reform and expand the Forum of Labour Market Ministers. Second, that a new national agency be created − the Canadian Institute for Labour Market Information (CILMI) − charged with identifying, maintaining and disseminating labour market information. Third, that federal and provincial governments finish the work needed to consolidate, affirm and fully operationalize the devolution decision.

Read the full presentation

JULY 2014 – CANADA

Education and labour market ministers of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories joined together in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on July 9 and 10, 2014, with more than 200 key business and labour leaders, academics, representatives of student organizations, and other stakeholders to chart the path forward on aligning education and skills training systems with the evolving needs of Canadian labour markets. Organized jointly by provinces and territories to meet the July 2013 request of Canada’s Premiers, Skills for the Future included Canadian and international panelists brought together to share innovative ideas that connect people to jobs, today and to prepare for the future.

Read the full release

Read the joint declaration

JUNE 2014 – CANADA

Michael Mendelson from the Caledon Institute of Social Policy appeared on May 26, 2014, before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) regarding the study of Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs).

This presentation addresses the question: What should be the federal government’s role in employment training and supports? It argues that there are good constitutional and pragmatic reasons for provincial jurisdiction over the design and delivery of labour market training programs. It recommends three roles for the federal government. First, we need a hugely improved labour market information system, with real-time data at both the wholesale and retail level. Second, Ottawa should work with the provinces to provide meaningful reports on Labour Market Development Agreement outcomes and inputs. Third, rigorous and objective third-party evaluations of programs are needed.

Read the full presentation

MAY 2014 – CANADA

On May 13, 2014, CCCBET Chair, Chris Atchison, appeared before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) regarding the renewal of the Labour Market Development Agreemets (LMDAs).

CCCBET has embraced the process of devolution in each province and continues to believe the provinces are best placed to design programs/services responsive to their labour market needs. The federal government is needed to develop policies, accountabilities and broad parameters that establish direction.

CCCBET supports the principles of increased employer involvement in training and cautions against a one-dimensional approach toward the new LMDA’s and the resulting skills and training strategies that appear designed to focus only on the demand side.

Read the full release

FEBRUARY 2014 – CANADA

Canadians want successful employment and skills training programs saved while governments figure out Canada Job Grant

Canadians across the country have shown their support in preserving vital employment and skills training programs under the current federal-provincial/territorial Labour Market Agreements (LMA), now threatened by the federal Canada Job Grant. Valuable employment programs for Canada’s most vulnerable populations are at risk of being chopped as governments negotiate the new national job grant. All governments must work together to preserve the proven LMA training initiatives, alongside any new training programs like the Canada Job Grant (CJG).

With a new federal budget scheduled for February 11th, the clock is ticking.

Read the full release

DECEMBER 2013 – CANADA

The Employment Training Alliance (ETA), Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Employability Training (CCCBET), and ASPECT are pleased to announce the creation of a website dedicated to the promotion and preservation of unique, successful and responsive pan-Canadian LMA programs offer valued and opportunity for Canadians preparing for success in the labour market. This website will be a constructive demonstration of what works now with LMA funding and represent what could be lost if the Canada Job Grant materializes as outlined.

LMAWorks.com is a site created for individuals, organizations and employers that have first-hand experience with the important role that LMA programs play in communities from coast to coast to coast. The site will be a repository for success stories, examples of best practices and provide for a dynamic exchange of support and suggestions for the continuation of adaptive, flexible and responsive LMA programming.

To become a supporter of the LMA Works Initiative, please email Chris Atchison with your name, logo, and website link.

DECEMBER 2013 – CANADA

The Cannexus14 National Career Development Conference is taking place January 20-22, 2014 at the Ottawa Convention Centre. The Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Employability Training (CCCBET) is a Cannexus supporting organization and is pleased to be able to offer members a discount on conference registration.

Cannexus is Canada’s largest bilingual career development conference and will bring together 800 professionals in the field from across education, community organizations, government and the private sector. It is designed to promote the exchange of information and explore innovative approaches in the areas of career counselling and career development.

Delegates will be inspired by four incredible keynotes:

–    Stephen Lewis, Celebrated Humanitarian and Former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa
–    Valerie Pringle, Award-Winning Broadcaster and Mental Health Champion
–    Jacques Demers, Former Montreal Canadiens Coach and Literacy Advocate
–    Rich Feller, Professor, Colorado State University and NCDA President 2012-2013

There will be more than 130 education sessions that will bring you the latest trends in effective counselling and facilitation techniques, career/employment centre management, emerging technology and tools, and working with marginalized client populations. An Exhibitor Showcase will also highlight a range of beneficial products and services in the field.

Cannexus is presented by the Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling (CERIC) and supported by The Counselling Foundation of Canada with a broad network of supporting organizations.

For more information and to register, visit www.cannexus.ca.

NOVEMBER 2013 – CANADA

An article by Michael Mendelson and Chris Atchison in The Vancouver Sun

Ottawa announced the new Canada Job Grant program in its March 2013 budget, promising that the “detailed design” would be negotiated with the provinces “over the next year”. More than seven months have passed without a meeting.

But now Jason Kenney, the new Minister of Employment and Social Development, has found a spare day. On Friday, he will meet with his provincial counterparts, presumably to respond to their unanimous rejection of the Canada Job Grant. Is the federal government now prepared to engage in meaningful negotiations and compromise? Or will it barge ahead riding roughshod over the provinces — and the many community organizations delivering front-line employment services, virtually all of which agree with the provinces?

Read the full article in The Vancouver Sun:
Time for talk, not action, on federal job grant program (The Vancouver Sun, British Columbia)

OCTOBER 2013 – CANADA

In line with the positions of the provinces and territories, the Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Employability Training (CCCBET) is concerned about the new Canada Job Grant (CJG) announced in March 2013 by the federal government, which threatens employability programs that assist unemployed and vulnerable Canadians. CCCBET is also concerned with the diversion of Provincial, Territorial, and Federal Labour Market Agreement funds.

CCCBET recognizes the need for labour market programs to continuously improve, respond to changing economic challenges and spend public funds as effectively, efficiently and fairly as possible. The Coalition shares the federal government’s goal of more private sector engagement in the training and development of a skilled workforce. CCCBET wants the federal government to put the expert, practical knowledge and experience of community-based employment and training organizations to use.

Read the full release

To follow the CCCBET in the media:
Canada Job Grant a ‘Boondoggle’, Say Critics (The Tyee, British Columbia)

JULY 2013 – CANADA

As part of its Economic Action Plan 2013, the federal government announced the creation of a new Canada Job Grant (CJG). According to the Canadian authorities, this skills development program will allow 130,000 Canadians each year to access the training they need to connect with available jobs. The grant of a maximum of $ 15,000 per person will be funded equally by the federal government, employers and provincial and territorial governments (source).

In a report entitled “The Training Wheels Are Off: A Closer Look at the Canada Job Grant”, Michael Mendelson and Noah Zon criticize this new federal program, which will result in a decrease of 60% of the annual budget allocated to provinces and territories under Labour Market Agreements (LMA), funds used to develop and maintain an extensive network of proven support for training and employment programs. In addition to experiencing this $300 million cut, the federated entities will have to generate an additional $300 million to match the federal contribution. According to the authors, the CJG ­ which represents a new interference in provincial jurisdiction from the Canadian government ­ was launched without consultation with the provinces, without any pilot project and without any documentation to support the proposed approach.

You can consult the full report on the Mowat Centre Website at the following address:
http://mowatcentre.ca/research-topic-mowat.php?mowatResearchID=84.

MARCH 2013 – CANADA

Partly in response to the controversy raised by the decision of a consortium of Chinese companies to hire only Chinese citizens to work in their British Columbia mines, the Canadian government announced significant changes in the popular Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, which allows Canadian employers to temporarily hire foreign workers to meet their immediate needs for labor.

First, the federal government will introduce user fees for employers applying for temporary foreign workers through the labour market opinion process so that these costs are no longer absorbed by taxpayers. According to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the country spends more than $35 million to process applications from temporary foreign workers, a hefty bill that is absorbed neither by the employers nor the workers recruited. In addition, employers will have to make greater efforts to hire Canadians, particularly in regard to the duration and extent of advertising, before obtaining the right to use the TFW program. Finally, the government will amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to ensure that companies cannot require proficiency in a language other than the two official languages ​​in the hiring of employees under the TFW program (source).

Along these same lines, the Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes to allocate $44 million over two years, starting in 2013­2014, to the Citizenship Program in order to improve the processing of applications. According to the spokesperson of the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, this amount is likely to be covered by higher costs related to citizenship applications for newcomers to Canada, as there has been no increase in the last 20 years.

For more information: www.budget.gc.ca/2013/home-accueil-eng.html