Skills Work!® for Women – Sheila Brown, Computer Tamer

Sheila Brown’s career path looks something like a patchwork quilt.  She worked in nursing for many years, then in volunteer management within Ontario hospitals, then onto retail management with a large department store chain.  After becoming disabled in 1986, Sheila adjusted her work so that she could work sitting down.  And that’s where she got her first introduction to computers.

The company she worked for at the time was Canada’s first company to connect the public to the Internet.  Immediately, she saw a need for skills development with computers, particularly among women.   

Around the same time, her son was becoming interested in computers through school.  As a widowed single mother, Sheila felt that it was important to gain a good understanding of what he was getting into, so she went out and purchased her first computer in 1984 and took to it immediately. 

In 1994, before most of us even knew the Internet was a thing, Sheila had already designed her first web page.  She created a business out of her passion for computers, which started part time in 1999, and flourished into a full-time gig in 2004.

“I train many women and seniors, as well as helping younger people, to learn how to use their computers, and how to be safe online. I also train people in how to create or maintain their own websites, and am pleased when they can do so on their own, or with little guidance and help.”

One of the biggest skills Sheila uses on a daily basis is patience.  Sometimes she has to explain a process or task several times before a client understands.  She also has to stay ahead of the curve on new technologies.

A significant barrier to Sheila starting her career was “male attitudes to females in technology.”  She remembers that she wasn't given good service when buying her first computers, and was not always taken seriously in discussions with male tech support personnel.  She is happy to see these attitudes changing, but can still be a challenge for women, even today, despite the prevalence of computers in our society.

“Women are capable, women are strong, and women can do whatever they want to, despite the problems and challenges we encounter,” is her advice to young women seeking work in technologies.  With such a positive attitude, she is sure to see her business expand in the coming years!

Sheila is a returning mentor to our Networking Dinner program.  She mentored at the Ottawa “Skills Work!® for Women” Networking Dinner on April 12, 2011.

Skills Work!® in Partnership - OCAS

In his report, People Without Jobs, Jobs Without People: Ontario's Labour Market Future, Dr. Rick Miner predicts that Ontario's economy will be increasingly driven by knowledge- and skill-based jobs.  There is a shortage of skilled trades people and that shortage is likely to increase and construction workers age and retire.  Occupations will need to adapt to new emerging technologies.

These trends will drastically increase the need for workers with education or certification beyond the high school level. Colleges play a vital role in training our workforce and delivering people with employable skills.

There are thousands of post-secondary programs offered across the province from which to choose, including skilled trades and apprenticeship-related programs.  Information about these options needs to be readily available to help individuals make informed decisions about their future.

Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) is proud to partner with Skills Canada – Ontario to support its dedication to promoting careers in the skilled trades and technologies as a first-choice, viable career option for youth in Ontario. Our shared belief in the importance of promoting skilled trade careers to youth helps address the workforce shortages ahead.

OCAS produces publications highlighting these program choices, at which college they are offered, as well as the benefits of a college education. Through our partnership with Skills Canada – Ontario, these materials are distributed via the “Skills Work!® What’s Out There?” program.

In addition to our support of the “Skills Work!® What’s Out There?” program, OCAS sponsors and has a number of partnership initiatives with Skills Canada – Ontario including the Skills Canada Competitions, Skills at the Park and Cardboard Boat Races.  We are pleased for the opportunity to assist Skills Canada – Ontario in highlighting the importance and value of skilled workers. We look forward to these and other initiatives our partnership will bring.

National Volunteer Week - April 11-17

As a not-for-profit organization, Skills Canada – Ontario relies heavily on the assistance of many volunteers in order to successfully administer our programs to over 100,000 students every year.

SCO is extremely fortunate to have a dedicated base of more than 1000 volunteers, who participate in a variety of ways.  These volunteers act as mentors in our young women’s programs and various judges in our competitions.  They assist with set-up and tear-down of the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, and lend a hand with anything that needs to be done.  Many of them return year after year and have long since been adopted into the SCO family.  A few such individuals are profiled below.

Shane Kennedy, Lead Corporate Trainer for Boston Pizza – Shane had such a great experience as a competitor at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition that he continued his involvement with the OTSC as a Marshal.  Shane has returned every year since 2002 to fill this role.  Marshals are responsible for one of the seven contest areas at the OTSC, facilitating set-up, tear-down and flow of the competition.  It’s a tough job that can involve everything from directing visitors and volunteers, grabbing spare tables and chairs for individual contests, and hauling materials and supplies around.  Definitely not glamourous.  Shane, however, loves it.  “Giving back to the community is important.  It’s part of who we are as Canadians, as human beings.  And Skills is a fantastic organization because you’re supporting the education and growth of students.”

Kitty Runstedler, Co-op and Career Services at Conestoga College – When the job interview component was first introduced at the OTSC (each secondary and post-secondary competitor completes a 5-minute job interview as part of his or her contest), Kitty was one of the volunteers recruited to conduct job interviews.  “Conestoga College has always been heavily involved with the OTSC, and I wanted to support that involvement.  My husband is a skilled tradesperson, and plenty of Conestoga students compete as well.”  Gradually, Kitty’s role changed from interviewer to coordinator of the job interview component, and she continues to serve on the committee, assisting with recruiting volunteers, organizing the flow of interviews on-site and providing support and help to volunteers in attendance.  She returns year after year because she loves working with the staff at SCO, and believes that it’s important to support youth.

Martin Restoule, Coordinator, Transportation Apprenticeship Trades, Algonquin College

After 10 years as Chair of the Automotive Service Technician contest, Martin is just as excited as ever to be involved with the Ontario Technological Skills Competition again this year.  “I really enjoy helping the students and seeing them succeed.  My hope is that the competition will teach them to work hard in their careers and learn new skills.  I learn something new every year being involved in the contest.”  As the Chair, Martin is responsible for designing the project annually, coordinating the technical committee, sourcing equipment, and recruiting judges.  “I like volunteering with Skills Canada – Ontario and would recommend this to my colleagues in education and industry because I feel it helps the industry  grow by promoting the profession, demonstrating the quality of the work being done and encouraging youth to pursue a skilled trade career.”  He is very thankful that his employer for the last 22 years, Algonquin College, is very supportive of his involvement at the OTSC, as well as the National Skills Competition.  “Volunteering with Skills Canada – Ontario is addictive.  You do it once and want to continue to make it better year after year.”

As profusely as we thank them, we never feel it’s enough for the help and dedication we get from individuals like Martin, Kitty or Shane.  In honour of National Volunteer Week 2011, we want to offer our most sincere thanks to all our volunteers – past, present and future.  You will always have a home with Skills Canada – Ontario!

The Ontario Technological Skills Competition is just around the corner!  Click here for more info and come visit us on May 2 and 3!

Skills Work!® On The Road – Shannon Skinner, Toronto

My name is Shannon Skinner and I am the Liaison Officer for the Peel and Halton regions.  It has almost been a year since I started with Skills Canada – Ontario and I still feel like a newbie.  I think it will take me participating in my second Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC) to feel like a veteran like my fellow Liaison Officers, Will and Devon.

If you’re unfamiliar with the OTSC, it is the largest skilled trade competition in Canada.  Spectators get to watch amazing secondary and post-secondary students compete in over 60 skilled trade and technology contests.  Last year was a special year to join the team because we had the challenge of running back-to-back competitions:  the OTSC and the Canadian Skills Competition.

I found out what my role was for the OTSC and CSC over lunch on my first day.  Barry, the Competitions Manager, came into the board room to introduce himself to me over lunch.  We got to know each other by discussing our competitive rowing careers and then he asked me a question with a small smile on his face.  “Shannon, do you know how to put together a table saw?”

I thought to myself, "what the heck is a table saw?"

I replied “if it comes in a box with instructions, I’ll give it a shot!”  It turns out I was assigned the task of setting up and distributing all of the tools that were needed onsite for all of the skilled trade contests and challenges happening throughout both competitions.  Lucky for me I had a knowledgeable partner in crime, Will Howe, who had been working with the tools team since he started at Skills.  Together, we managed to get the tools charged, set up and delivered in time for the competitions.  This year I’m going to find myself a brightly coloured hard hat to complete my tool girl look.

The whole experience lasted 19 days and it was best introduction to the job I could imagine.  I was able to see firsthand the results of the hard work Skills Canada-Ontario puts in to promote the skilled trades and technologies to youth across Ontario.

Since that time, I have been to over 100 schools delivering the "Skills Work! ® What's Out There" Presentation, organized two "Skills Work! ® for Women" Networking Dinners and attended four “Skills Work!” Summer Camps.  I have loved every minute of my experience and I’m looking forward to round two!

Skills Work!® for Women – Maria St. Jean, Water Treatment Maintenance/Operator

Many mothers have a difficult time readjusting to the workforce after one year of maternity leave. But what if you spent years – decades even – caring for your family and then decided to go back to the workforce?

Maria St. Jean was in that very position.  After 20 years of being a homemaker, Maria decided to return to work, out of a desire to both provide for her family in a more stable way, and to find a career that was challenging, rewarding and allowed for continuing education.  It wasn’t an easy find.

“When I entered the work force I worked at three other jobs that were not related to the water industry and I also joined my local Volunteer Fire Department.” 

After trying a few things, Maria found her niche in Water Treatment Maintenance and Operations in Timmins.  Her role is to maintain and monitor the equipment for water treatment at the facility and the satellite stations, monitor the chlorine levels, pressure readings and water flows throughout the city.  She also takes water samples, and manages continuous documentation and record keeping.

After four years with the Timmins water treatment facility, she cites observational skills, consistency and ingenuity as the top skills to be successful at her job.  One of the best parts of the job?  “Almost every day there is a new aspect of the job to learn. There is basically never a dull moment.” 

It’s definitely a career that fits the bill for continuous learning and challenge.  Maria points out that one of the biggest challenges is the continuous learning.  She is required to keep up with Ministry of Environment regulations as they change, as well as ensure she takes all the right courses to maintain her license.

Very often, when we meet women in skilled trade or technology careers, they talk about having to work extra hard to prove themselves among the men.  Maria was a different case entirely – the major obstacle she encountered was herself.  “The biggest barrier I had to overcome was my own insecurities that I might not be able to learn all of the aspects of my job at my age. But the more I studied, the more courses I took, I realized that was not the case.”

Maria finds her work rewarding, and has succeeded in the endeavour to pursue something allowing for continuing education.  Her favourite part of the job is that it opens travel opportunities to her.  Her skills can take her across Canada, or into the U.S.

“Keep an open mind. There are unlimited possibilities for young women who want to get into a trade. With a trade you have the ability to cross borders, carry your skills to different countries or simply provide a better life for yourself and your family. The little bit of time it takes to train in a trade (most of it is on the job training), pays itself back almost immediately. I started in the water industry at 44, the doors this career has opened for me are countless to date; just imagine where you could be starting at [a young] age!"

Maria mentored students at this year's Networking Dinner for Women in Timmins on March 29, 2011.