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