ATEC prepares for new intake for June 6, 2011ATEC will be starting their next training program on June 6, 2011. Spaces for this program are limited according to Rochelle Cure´ Job Coach for ATEC. “I would suggest calling 250-554-4556 right away to reserve your spot in this eight week program” says Rochelle. The program will be a Job Readiness program that will also include Life Skills, Essential Skills and career exploration. Rochelle goes on to say “the program will be of benefit to people that have been out of the work force for a period of time or people just entering the workforce seeking a foundation”. Throughout the program participants can look forward to certified training programs. Throughout the program expert help will always be available for resume writing and interview skills. Discover how to target the right occupation path by researching and using career exploration assessments. For more information please call Rochelle at 250-554-4556

Local construction companies are reporting a slower start this year compared to last year. Many companies are doing whatever they can to keep their existing crews working. Bidding for contracts has become a fine art of using a very sharp pencil and not letting the smallest details impede on a competitive bid. The seasonal work

in construction is beginning with several job openings becoming available for roofing and painting occupations. The slump in business is evident in real estate sales according to the Canadian Home Builders Association total units sold to the end of March 2011 were 440 compared to 500 during the same time last year.

Construction sector declines compared to 2010

A DEPARTMENT OF THE SHUSWAP NATION TRIBAL COUNCIL JUNE 2011 NEWSLETTER

Errol, Archie and Rhonda from the first graduating class were able to land employment.

Phyllis Edwards - CITAC Janitorial services

Norman Funnell - site setup crew working with Northern Trailer

Errol Hillis - East Side Mario’s

Aboriginal Training & Employment Centre

The people above were participants of the ATEC Job Readiness Training Program (formally known as CITES)

PAST CLIENTS THAT ARE WORKING FULL TIME

When an interview is not an interview

BY KIM COVERT, POSTMEDIA NEWS

OTTAWA - Here's a novel concept: set up an interview at a company you'd like to work for, talk to people about the job you'd like to do, but leave without asking if you can have it.It's called the informational interview and it's all the rage these days in MBA school circles, but the theory applies to students and workers at all levels of experience, says Brian Marchant, director of the Business Career Centre at Queen's School of Business in Kingston, Ont.

The informational interview itself actually comes several steps along in a process that begins with identifying the sector you want to work in, then identifying the companies you want to work for within those sectors, and then researching the jobs available in those companies - profiling the jobs and then judging that profile against your own strengths and capabilities. Find something that looks like it would be a good fit and only then do you make contact with a company to set up an interview.

"The trick with an informational interview, what we really coach our students on, is you have to be disciplined enough to never turn the corner and actually ask whether there's a vacancy or not," said Marchant. "The (basis for the interview) is 'I'm gathering information because I'm still trying to decide'. When you ask for the opportunity, you've swept all that aside, now you're asking for a job."

Many job-hunters take a scattershot approach, applying for any job that they sound remotely qualified for, and hoping some kind human resources person somewhere will care enough to at least send a "thanks but no thanks" note. That approach doesn't sound effective because it isn't, says Marchant. Targeting your job search and talking to key office-holders builds a network of contacts

who will, when the opportunity presents itself, remember the person had already expressed an interest in the company by coming in asking for details. Marchant cited a hiring expert who says it takes 25 informational contacts to land one "lively" job opportunity.

"The informational interview is all about finding somebody who plays one of two roles: either they're a very strong knowledge-holder - they know about that job, what that job would be like in the particular firm that you've targeted - or they are in fact the person who would make decisions about hiring somebody into that role," says Marchant. "And so the informational interview is not about asking for a job, it's not about asking for anything, quite frankly, except for can you tell me a little bit more about this role that I'm currently researching."

Sometimes, students have changed their minds about wanting certain jobs after talking to people who actually hold the positions and finding out insider details - what kind of personality and competencies are necessary to do it well, what the lifestyle's like, what kind of compensation they could be looking at. Alternatively, they have also found themselves really interested in jobs that hadn't sounded so intriguing on paper.

The job-seeker can attach a resume to a thank-you note and is encouraged to keep in touch with the interviewer. Check in every few weeks, Marchant says, but warns that the student needs to do more than ask whether a job has opened up.

"The conversation can't just be 'Hey, Brian, remember me? I'm still out of work, have you heard of anything?' It's got to be something more substantial. 'I'm looking, here's what I'm thinking about, here's why I think my skills line up, what do you think about that?' Give me something to talk to you about." While it goes against the grain of previous generations who were told to send their resumes in and not bug the company afterward, Marchant, whose background is in HR, says hiring directors cont. pg 3

Joyce Ignatius - Art Knapps

Dane Joseph - Northern Trailer

Leeanne Adams - McDonald’s Restaurants

The people above were participants of the ATEC Job Readiness Training Program (formally known as CITES)

cont from pg 2 and other officials at companies have been quite open to the idea of informational interviews.

"Are you kidding me? Somebody comes to me and says 'I'd like to meet with you just for 15 or 20 minutes, I've targeted your firm, I'd like to find out a little more about it, I'd like to find out if I was a fit', so here I am as the VP of HR . . . sitting with 200 resumes on my desk, looking to pull one person out of there who might be a fit for that vacancy, and here's a person who's done their due diligence, they've done the pre-work and they're coming to tell me that they've identified my firm as the one they might want to go and work for? Absolutely, I have all the time in the world for that person."

Top occupation groups for Aboriginal peopleAccording to BC Stats the overall top three occupations groups for Aboriginal people in BC are sales and service occupations at 28 percent and 21 percent are involved with trades, transport and equipment operators. Business, finance and administration follow at 11 percent. These three account for 61 percent of the off-reserve aboriginal labour force in BC. Aboriginal unemployment has dropped over the past few years. However, the Aboriginal unemployment rate is still more than double the non-Aboriginal population. Source - BC Stats

Transportation and Warehousing

Current WorkforceThe workforce in the Transportation and warehousing industry group tends to possess the following characteristics:

• Women account for a below average share of the workforce

• Half of workers in this industry group are aged 45 years or older

• The proportion of youth employed in this group is below average

• The percentage of those who are in the private sector or who are self-employed, is close to the average for all industries

• One-quarter of workers in this industry group work for small firms

• An above average share of these workers have union coverage

• Wages generally match the provincial average for adults, but are below average for youth

Employment ProspectsOverall, employment prospects for workers in the Transportation and warehousing industry are expected to be above average in upcoming years. Employment in the industry is expected to grow at a rate above that

of the economy as a whole. In addition, its need to replace workers will be above the average for all industries, leading to above average prospects when the two trends are combined.There are many factors that will impact the demand for workers in this industry. Domestic demand, business activity, tourism, and population growth, especially in urban areas, will lead to rising demand for transportation and warehousing services. The export of goods and services from B.C. to other provinces has been increasing. Major investments are planned and underway in B.C.'s transportation infrastructure. These improvements to roads, rails, ferries, bridges, ports and airports are expected to relieve congestion and promote the efficient movement of goods and people, resulting in economic growth and increased opportunities in trade, tourism and resources. Coupled with expansion of the public transit system to accommodate increasing demand, these initiatives are expected to create new jobs in the province.Many employment opportunities will also be created in the Transportation and warehousing industry through turnover, especially in entry-level occupations such as taxi, limousine and delivery drivers. Source - BC Work Futures

ABORIGINAL TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

Our next Work Readiness Program

starts on June the 6th

Increase your skills for today’s employment demands

We will assist you with your employment goals and help you find job opportunities that match your skills and interests

call 250-554-4556 for info

Count yourself in! Call 250-554-4556 for more information

The people above were participants of the ATEC Job Readiness Training Program (formally known as CITES)

Available Jobs in Kamloops

Denny’s Restaurants - both locations downtown and North Shore are hiring for the following positions: Line Cooks, Servers and Hosts. Apply for these openings in person, between 2:30 and 3:30pm.

MacDonald’s Restaurants - all six locations in Kamloops are hiring for all positions. Apply in person (note the North Shore restaurant is the busiest and hires most)

East Side Mario’s - is presently hiring for kitchen help and servers. Apply in person to Tim (kitchen manager) or Nick DiMambro (owner)

Wholesale Sports - 925 Notre Dame is looking for sales clerks

and cashiers in all departments. Apply in person

ABC Country Restaurant and Joey’s Only - is hiring for kitchen help and servers. Apply in person to Pardeep (owner) part time and full time. Part timers have flexible hours to accomodate education or second job. Lots of opportunity to advance.

Halston Esso - requires a janitor to work graveyard shift. Apply in person to Michael Blanchard.

Please note: Job postings change rapidly. Current information is provided to employment counsellors each Friday. Please contact them for any updated information.

Job Postings & Labour Market Information

Building and Real Estate Stats

Monthly Building Stats (end of March 2011)

Total Units 101 Const. value $26,275,000Building Stats for 2010 (end of March)Total units 127 Const. value $30,200,000Includes new and renovations: City of Kamloops, TNRD and Sun Rivers

Monthly Real Estate Stats (end of March 2011)

Total Units Sold 440 Sales Value $136,000,000 Real Estate Stats for 2010 (end of March)Total Units sold 500 Sales Value $147,000,000Includes City of Kamloops, TNRD and Sun Rivers

source Canadian Home Builders Association Central Interior

Kitchen Helper (NOC6641)A kitchen helper cleans and sanitizes kitchen equipment, assists in basic food preparation, and with receiving and storing products in kitchens, restaurants, clubs, fast food outlets and catering companies. They have knowledge of general kitchen operations and of general food storage guidelines. This position gives kitchen helpers the opportunity to learn about kitchen and restaurant operations and the opportunity to work with and learn from chefs.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in basic food preparation• Clean kitchen equipment• Load and unload dishwasher• Scrub pots and pans• Clean food preparation and storage areas• Receive and store goods

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Good health condition• Ability to lift and carry heavy items properly

• Demonstrated interest in food preparation and kitchen operations

• Time management skills• Basic food preparation skills• Knowledge of the products, cooking, sector and

industry in general• Secondary school diploma is preferred• Courses in first aid, Foodsafe and handling of

workplace hazardous materials are assets• Knowledge of the Occupational Standards for Kitchen

Helper (and certification where available) is an asset

Possible Career Path:

• Line Cook• Apprentice• Kitchen Manager• Sous Chef• Executive Chef• Food and Beverage Manager

Information provided by Discover Tourism

SORRY THIS JOB HAS BEEN FILLED

company launched a lobbying campaign to get the Oxford English Dictionary definition changed, and David Fairhurst, then a senior vice-president of McDonald's, noted the company would prefer the definition be rewritten to "reflect a job that is stimulating, rewarding . . . and offers skills that last a lifetime."

Both definitions remain.

In Generation X, Coupland noted that a McJob was "frequently considered a satisfying career choice by people who have never held one."

Sadly, judging by the state of the labour market, that group of people who can say they've had careers will probably continue to shrink as McDonald's payroll continues to rise.

The Calgary Herald

Three questions to ask your boss-to-beIf you’re being interviewed for a new job, here are three questions to ask your boss to help you sniff out whether that individual is worth working with, courtesy of the pongoresume.com & The Globe and Mail.

What words would you use to describe people who report to you? The answer should come quickly, with positive-sounding words like creative, smart, friendly or talented, rather than phrases like diligent, serious and hard-working which suggest a focus on getting things done rather than the people who get it done.

If you had a problem with something I did, how would you tell me? You want a thoughtful way that indicates a calm, consultative process. Not, “I’d e-mail you about it.”

Within my first three month on the job, what are some of things you will be expecting of me? You want to hear reasonable expectations for a new employee.

An additional question further to the article provided that could be helpful to ask employers that don’t start the interview describing the virtues of working for their organization would be.

Do you consider this organization to be an employer of choice and why? The response you would want would include, the strength of our company is dependant on our employees, we value their input and always support a work life balance. You would also expect to hear about company benefits and available supports to assist you with advancement and recognition.

The term McJob first appeared in the summer of 1986, when George Washington University sociology professor Amitai Etzioni wrote a column for the Washington Post decrying the "highly routinized" jobs at fast-food restaurants and their effect on American teens.

"By nature, these jobs undermine school attendance and involvement, impart few skills that will be useful in later life, and simultaneously skew the values of teenagers -especially their ideas about the worth of a dollar," Etzioni wrote.

He went on to criticize the culture and routine of working at McDonald's and other fast-food companies, noting that the jobs did not provide opportunity for entrepreneurship like the traditional lemonade stand, or the lessons of self-organization, self-discipline and self-reliance like the traditional paper route.

Five years later, the word appeared in Canadian novelist Douglas Coupland's book Generation X. Coupland described a McJob as "a low-pay, low-prestige, low-dignity, low-benefit, no future job in the service sector."

This definition stuck. Since 2001, the McJob has been listed in the Oxford English Dictionary in the U.K. and the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary in the U.S. The British define a McJob as "an un-stimulating, low-paid job with few prospects, especially one created by the expansion of the service sector." The Americans are just as blunt; a McJob is "a low-paying job that requires little skill and provides little opportunity for advancement."

Unsurprisingly, McDonald's was not pleased. In 2003, then-CEO Jim Cantalupo sent an open letter to Merriam-Webster angrily disputing the characterization, calling it "a slap in the face to the 12 million" industry staff.

In 2007, the British arm of the

A McJob comes with skills that last a lifetime

Rhoda Pete is working full time for L & D Maintenance Inc.

Tiffany Deneault is spending her work time at Quaaout Lodge

Both Rhoda and Tiffany were part of the ATEC Job Readiness Training Program (formally known as CITES)

Spotlight on Happy Metcalfe - ATEC Employment Counsellor

Happy brings a helpful and caring personality to ATEC. Her quick wit and bubbly personality makes her an office favourite amongst the ATEC team. Happy says “regardless of the weather outside, I always look forward to my walk to the office.” “I have been providing service to ATEC clients for over a year now, with constant variety in work loads I view each clients needs and form a plan with employment goals suited to the client.” Happy started her first job at the young age of fifteen in Whitehorse working as a counter person at the local Dairy Queen. She honed her People skills working there with both customers and other staff. Happy says the skills I learned at Dairy Queen I still use everyday at ATEC.

Where are you from?I am the oldest of two children, a mother with two girls and one granddaughter. I am a member of Trondëk Hwëch’in Han Nation, which is at Dawson City, Yukon. I was born in Vancouver then spent the really early years of my childhood in the Yukon and most of my later years in Calgary, then Kamloops where I raised my children. My family was nomadic and I remember always traveling. Today I am pleased to call Kamloops home.

What is one of your strengths?I am a great listener. I love hearing people’s stories; where they come from, what is happening in their lives and what they are passionate about.

What hobbies do you have?I am learning to bead. I also enjoy reading books by one of my favorite authors, Miriam Towes. I can often be found walking in nature and spending my coffee breaks playing badminton with my co-worker, Cathy.

What was your first paying job?I did some babysitting as a young person but felt my first “real” job was working a lot of day shifts at the local Dairy Queen.

What skills from that job do you use today?Working with others, customer service and interpersonal skills.

What interested you in becoming an Employment Counsellor?About 10 years ago, I was returning to the workforce when my

children were school aged, but I lacked confidence and did not know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I attended a 12 week employment program called Oasis that turned out really transformative for me. I knew then, I wanted to be a part of providing that experience for others and assist them in their own journeys. It was a long and windy road to get here, but I am finally doing the work I love to do.

What Essential Skills do you use for your job?I use all nine essential skills but the most important for Employment Counsellors are Oral Communication and Critical Thinking.

What advice do you provide most?When conducting work search, always follow up. If you didn’t have a chance to speak directly with the hiring manager when dropping off a resume, this is a good time. It provides an opportunity to make that connection and build rapport. It also shows you are eager and interested in working for them.

What do you expect and appreciate from an employer?I expect fairness and a safe, healthy and friendly working environment. I really appreciate feeling my opinion counts as well as the freedom to be creative with ideas and work.

What is your favourite book?My most recent favourite is an eye opening and humorous book called Eat, Pray, Love. Now that I’m done the book, I can watch the movie!

Enjoying a quick cup of coffee before engaging in a game of “full contact” badminton with co-worker, Cathy

“I love hearing people’s stories; where they come from”

“My first real job was at the Dairy Queen in Whitehorse.”

“When conducting work search, always follow up”