Labour News Roundup
For those of you who may have missed the top stories here's the news we think you should know:
1. The Windsor Star: ICT grows more than economy
By Dave Hall, Posted: July 20, 2012
"'We intend it to provide a detailed snapshot of the industry which will give those considering a career in ICT an idea of where the industry is and where it's going,' said Donna Marentette, executive director of WFWE.
'It will enable them to make more educated career decisions and also provide educators, guidance counsellors and parents with relevant local information they can trust.'"
2. CBC News: "Where Canada's job vacancies are – and aren't"
Posted: July 24, 2012
"Statistics Canada tracks the ratio of unemployed Canadians to job vacancies in each province and territory. This map is a snapshot, representing an average of the three months ending in April 2012."
3. OurWindsor.ca: Craft brewing industry growing in Ontario
By Johnathon Liedtke, Posted: July 30, 2012
"The Ontario craft brewing industry has been growing in recent years, and the Government of Ontario believes that the market helps to drive economic growth, create good jobs, all while producing top-quality beer within the Province.
The Provincial Government developed the Ontario Microbrewery Strategy and Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth, which they attribute to keeping the craft brewery industry both strong and vibrant.
Since 2005, the number of craft breweries in Ontario grew from 31 to 47, while in 2010 sales of Ontario craft beer reached roughly $190 million. Further, these 2010 figures represented a 5% share of the overall Ontario beer market."
4. Financial Post: Brains alone can't boost productivity
By Glenn Hodgson and Alan Arcand, Posted: July 31, 2012
"There are numerous reasons why Canada’s productivity growth is weak, but the quality of Canada’s labour force is not one of them. Canada has a well-educated workforce that has not been given the required physical capital — machinery and equipment, technology, and infrastructure — to maximize output for the hours worked."
5. Windsor this Week: Tourisim Industry turing things around
By Liz Bernier, Posted: Aug. 1, 2012
"It's been a tough few years for cross-border tourism in the Windsor area . . . but Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, says the tourism industry is starting to recover."
6. The Windsor Star: Turning Windsor's job seekers into job makers
By Doug Schmidt, Posted: Aug 1, 2012
"This 'Made in Windsor' solution is a natural extension to the city’s already innovative effort linking those on social assistance with local businesses willing to partner with the city, said Ronna Warsh, Windsor’s community development and health commissioner. Begun six years ago, the Windsor effort now has about 100 signed contracts with employers open to giving those on welfare a chance at employment, with the city offering such assistance as training, work clothes or public transportation funds.
“This is the next piece … people on social assistance who used to be business owners, or people who don’t want to work for others,” said Warsh.
Warsh’s department has identified more than 250 individuals — among a total welfare caseload of about 10,000 — who are able, interested and willing to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Forty of those have already submitted business plans that are being actively pursued.
The first small batch of graduates included one budding businessman who opened a carpet store and another who started a dance studio. The next group of a dozen currently on welfare begin their classes and mentorships in September and include business start-ups in as diverse fields as fine art, flower retail, reflexology, online retail and bookkeeping, consulting, cleaning and computer repair.
'They don’t know all the pieces. How do you market? How do you keep the books? What are the legal aspects?' said Mary Ellen Bernard, the department’s acting manager of social planning and policy.
Even with a great business plan, Bernard said, there are many barriers for someone living on welfare — which covers the barest of necessities like food and shelter — to getting started as an entrepreneur. 'You’ve depleted your resources, you may not have a credit rating, you don’t have collateral,' she said."
7. CBC Windsor: University of Windsor engineering on display
Posted: Aug. 2, 2012
"Science projects are the norm during the school year and a group of students at the University of Windsor's engineering department had some elaborate projects on display during an open house Wednesday."
8. The Globe and Mail: Free ice cream? Hire me now
By Leah Eichler, Posted: Aug. 3, 2012
"At first blush, ice cream might not seem like a winning tactic to secure and retain high-end talent – nor are movie premiere tickets or the free burritos his 40 employees are treated to on Fridays. Yet, in an increasingly competitive knowledge-based economy, employers need to keep thinking to create a playful atmosphere that drives a sense of community, particularly in sectors that employ large numbers of young people."
Where to Network in Windsor-Essex this August
If you’re looking to network this August, here are a few events taking place across Windsor-Essex.
Courtesy of WEtech Alliance.
Special Opportunity:
Professional Attire Sought for Women in Need
Proudly entering in their seventh year of partnership, local retailer, Anne Waters of Anne’s on the Avenue along with AM 800CKLW and IXL Cleaners are continuing their annual efforts during the month of August to encourage women in the community to donate their new or gently used professional attire. The clothing will aid in assisting women looking for a more polished image in their job search and starting new jobs through the established Ready for Work – Clothing Exchange Program of Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc..
Thanks to community partners and generous individuals in the community, target goals established in previous years were exceeded. This year the organizers have established their target goal to collect 4000 business suits and related accessories with optimism for continued support from the community. In addition to individuals, local businesses are invited to host a clothing drive as a way to showcase their support for the women in the community. All sizes from petite to plus are needed.
The clothes are being donated to the established Ready for Work – Clothing Exchange Program offered through Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) who will distribute them free of charge. In 2011, WEST assisted over 300 women attain professional attire through this service. With the number of job seekers in Windsor-Essex, demand for the service is growing in comparison to previous years. In addition to the clothing program, WEST offers women a wide range of career support and skills development programs available at no cost which are designed improve the employability of women in need.
Donations of clothing can be dropped off at Anne’s on the Avenue 344 Manning Road, Tecumseh; IXL Cleaners locations, 1409 Tecumseh Rd East, 2845 Howard Ave. or 2991 Dominion Blvd. and at the WEST office, 647 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 201. Women looking for work who are in need of professional attire should call the WEST office at (519) 256-6621.
Clothing donations will be accepted until August 31, 2012.
For more information, contact:
Anne Waters, Owner Anne’s on the Avenue (519) 979-7735
Allan Kidd Jr., Owner IXL Cleaners Ltd. (519) 256-3426
Rose Anguiano Hurst, Executive Director Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) (519) 256-6621 X 222
Do you have news we should know? Contact us and we'll review it for our Roundup.
Short URL: http://www.workforcewindsoressex.com/?p=5398
