March 20, 2017 Leave a Comment

Job in Demand: the growing Information, Communications and Technology sector in Canada

In recent years it has become clear to policy makers and employers that there will soon be an unmet demand for skilled technology workers in Canada. Presently, the ICT (information and communications technology) sector is worth $741 billion per year, and employs almost 900,000 professionals throughout all sectors the economy.

A March 2016 report by the Canadian Information and communications technology Council (ICTC), titled Digital Talent: Road to 2020 and Beyond projected that by 2020, there will be a huge growth of the size of the global Internet of Things (IoT) economy, which could exceed $19 trillion. The term “The Internet of Things” describes the economic activity surrounding smart and connected technologies – which has wide impact, including on industries or sectors such as manufacturing, financial services, health, transportation, essential services and cities, as well as media and creative industries. The report describes Canada’s adoption rate of these technologies as still lower than other similar economies worldwide, mostly because of a lack of enough skilled workers with the necessary technological skills to enable companies to keep up.

The ICTC report describes that “the growth in digital jobs has outpaced the overall economy in the last two years by over 4 to 1, leading to a strong demand of 182,000 skilled ICT workers by 2019”, saying that “unfortunately, the domestic supply of ICT graduates and workers will be insufficient to meet this demand” It calls for engagement of “all available talent, including women, youth, immigrants, Indigenous persons and persons with disabilities” as critical in mitigating the talent shortage.

What skills are in demand?

The report outlines the knowledge and skills required by employers, including a balance between technical, professional and personal skills:

Technical Skills Business and Management Skills:

Data management and analytics • Network security • Cloud computing content, design, and service management • Java • Python • Mobile and software development

Business and Management Skills:

General Business Acumen • Business Analysis • Sales and marketing • Product management • Creativity and innovation • Leadership

Soft and Interpersonal Skills:

Communication (public speaking and writing) • Collaboration (virtual and in-person) • Adaptability • Cross-cultural competence and sensitivity

What jobs will be needed and where?

Specifically, the report predicts that the finance and health care sectors will have the highest demand for ICT labour in the next four year, specifically:

information systems analysts and consultants
computer network operators and web technicians
computer programmers and interactive media developers
software engineers
graphic designers and illustrators
computer and information systems managers
database analysts and data administrators.

Solutions?

Interestingly, the report claims that many Canadian youth are opting out of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses. The report recommends that the provinces make computer science mandatory in the education curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 12, to and nurture:

Computational thinking (with or without devices) for students in early grades
Coding for students in intermediate grades
Application development, networking, and cyber security for students in advanced grades
Experiential learning opportunities such as co-ops or apprenticeships
Information about career paths and occupational roles that require computer science.

It also recommends “upskilling” the existing workforce, through:

Understanding the barriers to full participation (such as wage gaps) in the ICT field by women, immigrants, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and visible minorities
Sharing best practices in the area of diversity and inclusion
Establishing targets and an action plan to attract and retain underrepresented persons in the ICT field.

The report also calls for government to work harder to attract “global digital talent” and strengthen “digital literacy and digital skills for Canadians”, as well as work on “developing a comprehensive strategy that supports the transition of displaced workers into high demand jobs in the digital economy”.

In response to this report, the federal government has recently announced of a new pilot “Global Talent” project which aims to bring in more highly skills workers to Canada.

February 10, 2017 Leave a Comment

Information Interviews in Canada – Frequently Asked Questions

Information interviews are one-on-one meetings you can request (in person or online) to learn more about another person’s job, organization, sector and industry. This can be used as an effective tool for networking and part of a Canadian job search strategy.

Canada InfoNet program offers insightful e-Learning modules that cover topics like Information Interviews, Online Networking, Canadian Resume and Cover Letter.

CanPrep recently organized a webinar on the topic “How-to Guide: Information Interviews.” In this blog post, we are responding to some of your frequently asked questions.

What kind of questions can I ask during information interviews?

Information interviews can have both long term and short term impact on your job search process. It’s one of the most effective networking tools. So being prepared with all the relevant information on the company and the employer’s program and position is vital. The key is to get the other person talking. Here are some sample questions that you can use to conduct an information interview:

Are there any specific training / education requirements to get into your line of work?
What do you like most/ least about your work?
What is a typical day (or week) like for you?
How did you become interested in this field?
What kind of problems do you typically deal with at work?
What related fields do you think I should consider looking into?
Can you think of anyone else you can connect me to for additional information?

As suggested in this Monster.ca article, the right questions can also open up opportunities you might not have thought of before. For example, you might learn about an internship opportunity at the company that can help you get your foot in the door, or it might open your eyes to a new skill you should learn in order to make yourself more marketable in that specific industry.

What should I wear for the meeting (online or in person)?

Research what outfit works for the specific industry. For example, if it is Banking industry – formal attire like a formal dress or tie and suit is the norm; dress code may be more casual in the information technology industry – so wear something more casual, jeans might even be acceptable! Be cognizant of the attire even if you are connecting with the employer online.

Should I take my Resume to the information interview?

The simple answer is – Yes! Although the intention of information interview is information gathering, go prepared. Introduce yourself with your elevator pitch and have your resume handy in case it comes up during the conversation. Remember you are also trying to make an impression here so do not ask for a job directly. You can always include a line like “I’ll be happy if you consider me for any future job opportunities in your organization.” – in the thank you email after you meet with the person.

Are there any don’ts that I should keep in mind?

Don’t ramble on about yourself! Let the other person do the talking – engage them. What people remember is how you made them feel during a conversation, not what you said. Be strategic, ask relevant questions about their personal experiences.

Research basic information. Don’t waste their time asking simple things that you can easily Google. Make sure you ask the right questions to the right individuals. For example, do not ask someone from Human Resources questions about Marketing. It will be a waste of their time and they’ll end up having a bad impression of you.

Stick to the agreed upon time limit. If you asked them for a 20 minutes coffee, try not to exceed that time. Canadians are usually very polite and may not point out anything directly so be mindful of the person’s body language. If they are fidgeting / looking at their watch, at the end of the stipulated time, it usually means they are busy.

I am an introvert. How do I handle information interviews?

You don’t have to be an extrovert to network or conduct information interviews. You are not expected to be outgoing – but definitely polite and professional.

If you are an introvert, being prepared and conducting research can work to your advantage. Make a list of your questions – use research to help make your questions interesting.

Be genuine – it’s ok to mention to the other person that you are an introvert or shy during the conversation. You can also figure out a way to communicate this to the person you are interviewing prior to the meeting. They may also be introverts and might appreciate your honesty! Enjoy the interaction / experience.

How do I keep in touch after an information interview?

Networking is a long term investment. Make sure you follow-up after the meeting. A good thank you email can take you a long way. In the email, cover what your take away from the meeting was, reinforce what the person had committed to you (if they had agreed to send you information or connect you to someone). Ask if you can connect with them on LinkedIn. Once you connect with them on LinkedIn, stay in touch.

Do I have to be present in-person for information interviews?

No – you don’t have to be. Information interviews can be done via email, LinkedIn, Skype and other connectivity tools even before you arrive in Canada. Remember, when you are trying to connect on Skype, you may have to find a time convenient for an employer in a different time zone – within their work hours.

November 29, 2016 2 Comments

What is the difference between Volunteering, Co-op placement and Internship in Canada?

This is a continuation to our previous article on Volunteering titled Why volunteering is essential to job search in Canada. This article attempts to clarify the difference between Volunteering, Co-op placement and Internship in Canada.

Volunteering is described as an unpaid activity where someone gives their time to help an organization or a cause. It is of benefit for both parties involved and does not involve financial payment. Volunteering is usually done on a part-time basis depending on the availability of the volunteer and the organization need.

When deciding where to volunteer think about these aspects:

environment– creative, philanthropic, medical, people focused, technical, financial, media, etc.
location
time commitment
what do you bring to the organization and the role
what do you want out of the experience
what kind of people do you like to work with
is this strictly for fun or charity, or is it to further your career growth

Co-op or Co-operative placement is usually associated with a course or certification offered by an education institution or employment centre offering a job related program. Co-op allows you to apply concepts learned in class during paid work terms. At the end of the placement, you will have not only a certification that indicates you participated in a CO-OP program but also work experience in your field of study and a network of valuable contacts. All of these factors will contribute to helping you find a job more easily after the course completion. You can find more information on this topic on Settlement.org

An Internship is a professional working position that is typically offered to students or inexperienced workers. It enables the intern to gain valuable work experience and on-the-job training, while providing the employer with an enthusiastic worker.

Some internships are paid positions, while others are unpaid. Both allow you to work within an organization to gain first-hand experience about a particular industry or field of work. Internships help inexperienced workers get involved in the workplace, and can sometimes lead to permanent positions.

Since internships are full-time positions, watch out for unpaid internships. While they vary from province to province, there are sets of rules governing how internships must be run. These rules are designed to protect interns, ensuring their internship helps spur their career. Most provinces ask that any unpaid internship be a requirement for a formal education program, offering practical learning experiences.

Whether it’s Co-op placement or paid internship or volunteering work – any of these can be excellent means for a newcomer to show that they have the skills necessary for potential job opportunities in their field.

Resources to find Volunteering opportunities in Canada:

volunteer.ca

charityvillage.com

LinkedIn volunteer board

Canadian Volunteer Directory

United Nations Association in Canada

United Nations Volunteers

Idealist.org

Environmental volunteering: goodwork.ca

British Columbia & Alberta: govolunteer.ca

Ontario: Ontario Volunteer Centre Network

Paid Internships: careeredge.ca

September 20, 2016 Leave a Comment

CanPrep in the spotlight on New Canadians web show

JVS Toronto‘s pre-arrival employment program CanPrep – is a free specialized employment program. This online program is designed for internationally trained individuals relocating to anywhere in Canada. CanPrep was recently in the spotlight when New Canadians interviewed our very own – Irene Vaksman (Director of Newcomer Services) for their web show. New Canadians is a rich and informative web and TV show portraying stories of recent immigrants making Canada their home.

Click on the “Play” button to view the full interview.