LGTW 2019
1st Breakout Session
Digital Literacy is a Gateskill to Employment
This session is both a presentation and a conversation around the importance of digital literacy as a primary “gate skill” to employment. Basic computer aptitude is something that employers demand and evaluate on a job application. But what about the large percentage of Manitoba’s workforce, including but not limited to new immigrants and remote or rural individuals, who do not have this required skillset. Technology is impacting the job search and career development, and we as leaders need to be aware of the trends and the part we play. To best support job seekers and the workforce, our workshop will cover the trends we are seeing in the job market in Manitoba and how digital literacy plays a key role. The format will be a discussion with the group, together bringing out key trends and determining the focus of community solutions.
We will facilitate discussion around solutions to help bridge the gap between ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ that is growing wider in large effect due to a digital literacy divide. For example, how can we incorporate digital literacy training into pre-existing learning opportunities? How can we encourage community ownership and local innovation / participation in digital literacy? What are some non-financial supports that could be offered to grassroots organizations who support digital literacy?
Takeaways: Participants of this session will leave with an understanding of the digital expectations we set upon today’s workforce and what we can do to support those who may not fit the bucket of ‘digitally literate’.
This session will be of interest to: Educators, resource groups, government, and private industry who all play a part in supporting the development of our community and the learners within it.
We will facilitate discussion around solutions to help bridge the gap between ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ that is growing wider in large effect due to a digital literacy divide. For example, how can we incorporate digital literacy training into pre-existing learning opportunities? How can we encourage community ownership and local innovation / participation in digital literacy? What are some non-financial supports that could be offered to grassroots organizations who support digital literacy?
Takeaways: Participants of this session will leave with an understanding of the digital expectations we set upon today’s workforce and what we can do to support those who may not fit the bucket of ‘digitally literate’.
This session will be of interest to: Educators, resource groups, government, and private industry who all play a part in supporting the development of our community and the learners within it.
Margaux Miller, Program Director, Information Communication Technology Association Of Manitoba (ICTAM)
Margaux Miller has spent her career providing various levels of leadership in marketing, sales, event execution, and community relations. Prior to joining ICTAM, Margaux facilitated the integration of a Winnipeg tech startup post- acquisition. She is also the producer and co-host of ‘Start Podcast’ - where she and her brother interview founders of start-ups from the Canadian Prairies.
Client-Centred Approach Model
The client model supports educational, social, psychosocial, common barriers, special education and mental health by adapting local policies around the client’s needs to ensure success. The model is designed by bringing experts together to achieve local strategic objectives of each partner by leveraging their own services. The model allows partners to adapt tools and strategies to empower and support people with less of an administrative burden.
Intended audience: anyone that works in any setting with clients/students
There will be small group exercises, hands-on practical application of the 7 layers of the client centred approach model and laughter.
Takeaways: A practical & realistic approach that is easily implemented into any setting. The clients/students are at the center of an holistic vision which increases the likelihood of success. Participants take a supportive & active role within the lives of their clients' successes by making the connection between the learner and their realities.*client could mean a person, group, organization, institution..
This session will be of interest to: Career Practitioners, Instructors, Academia, Employers, Administrators...
Intended audience: anyone that works in any setting with clients/students
There will be small group exercises, hands-on practical application of the 7 layers of the client centred approach model and laughter.
Takeaways: A practical & realistic approach that is easily implemented into any setting. The clients/students are at the center of an holistic vision which increases the likelihood of success. Participants take a supportive & active role within the lives of their clients' successes by making the connection between the learner and their realities.*client could mean a person, group, organization, institution..
This session will be of interest to: Career Practitioners, Instructors, Academia, Employers, Administrators...
Brenda Ross-Jerome, Adult Education Instructor/Career Development Practitioner & Consultant, First Nation Regional Adult Education Centre
Brenda Ross-Jerome works in education, career counselling and uses the model daily. Her background is in curriculum development, special education, teaching and an advocate for mental health. Trust is essential.
Tammy Martin , Centre Director & Vocational Coordinator, Career Development Practitioner
Tammy Martin provides guidance to employability, training and adult education learning. Her background is in administration, non-profit organizations, business and human resources. Her passion is connecting employees with employers.
Tammy and Brenda have presented across the eastern part of Canada to businesses, employment organizations, developers, service industries as well as educational institutions.
Tammy and Brenda have presented across the eastern part of Canada to businesses, employment organizations, developers, service industries as well as educational institutions.
Designing your life – a framework for building a life you can thrive in
Based on the work out of Stanford University, Designing Your Life has become an important framework in the world of Career Education. The framework applies the innovative principles of design thinking to the "wicked problem" of designing life and vocation in and beyond post-secondary education. The work approaches career questions with a structured framework, tools and most importantly a place and community of peers and mentors. It can support students as they navigate and build their professional competencies, their education and their career path in a solutions-focused approach as the designers of their lives.
Facilitated table discussions applying the design thinking framework to each participant's own life design. This work will include identifying a personal life design problem and collaborating with others in an ideation session to build plans to build a prototype for experiences or conversations to test those ideas to solve the particular life problem.
Takeaways: Exposure to the Designing Your Life work and how design thinking offers a powerful framework in Career Development.
This session will be of interest to: Career Educators in all forms-- those interested in attending the Let's Get to Work Conference
Facilitated table discussions applying the design thinking framework to each participant's own life design. This work will include identifying a personal life design problem and collaborating with others in an ideation session to build plans to build a prototype for experiences or conversations to test those ideas to solve the particular life problem.
Takeaways: Exposure to the Designing Your Life work and how design thinking offers a powerful framework in Career Development.
This session will be of interest to: Career Educators in all forms-- those interested in attending the Let's Get to Work Conference
Lynda Peto, Career Educator- Business and Professional Development Consultant, University of Manitoba - Faculty of Engineering
With over 11 years as a Career Educator at the University of Manitoba, Lynda is excited to bring the design thinking framework to her work. She was certified as a Designing Your Life Coach in 2018 and in June 2019 attended Stanford University for additional training. Lynda regularly works in classrooms and facilitates seminars that are interactive, fun and provide lasting impact for students.
2nd Breakout Session
LinkedIn or Left Out: The value of connecting and engaging with your professional network
The future of job search is here and if you are not on LinkedIn, there is serious risk of being left out when it comes to landing your next opportunity. This session will help you leverage the professional networking site by discussing the basics of setting up a LinkedIn profile, best practices on what, when and how to post, strategies to increase visibility and engagement as well as nuggets of LinkedIn gold you and your clients can use to build their brand. Attendees will engage in a series of mini content creation activities they can then take away and use to enhance their profile as well as receive a LinkedIn checklist to ensure their profile is complete and up-to-date.
Using a mock LinkedIn profile template, attendees will complete mini content creation activities based on the content presented in the talk; for example, present various strategies to writing a LinkedIn headline, then have attendees write their own LinkedIn headline.
Takeaways:
• The basics of setting up a LinkedIn profile.
• Best practices on what, when and how to post.
• Strategies to increase visibility and engagement.
• Nuggets of LinkedIn gold to build your brand.
• Content ideas for their profile.
• LinkedIn checklist.
This session will be of interest to: People who want a LinkedIn profile; people who have a profile, but are not active; people who teach job search and career management strategies.
Using a mock LinkedIn profile template, attendees will complete mini content creation activities based on the content presented in the talk; for example, present various strategies to writing a LinkedIn headline, then have attendees write their own LinkedIn headline.
Takeaways:
• The basics of setting up a LinkedIn profile.
• Best practices on what, when and how to post.
• Strategies to increase visibility and engagement.
• Nuggets of LinkedIn gold to build your brand.
• Content ideas for their profile.
• LinkedIn checklist.
This session will be of interest to: People who want a LinkedIn profile; people who have a profile, but are not active; people who teach job search and career management strategies.
Matthew Purdey, Director, Employment Services, YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg
Matthew Purdey, BA, CCDP, CCS, has 15 years’ experience in language, educational and vocational guidance. He is the Director of Employment Services at the YM-YWCA of Winnipeg and is the Founder / Principal Consultant at Foresight Career Coaching. Having worked with newcomers, students, professionals and entrepreneurs, he helps people take control of their careers.
Engaging Millennials in the Workplace
Millennials in the Workplace is designed to take the audience though the dynamics of attracting, onboarding, leading and retaining Millennials. The presentation will speak to the dynamic of the four generations in the workplace and how it impacts how we interact in terms of coaching, teamwork and career. Attendees will learn about what Millennials are looking for when sourcing a job and a career, how you can leverage their strengths and the development opportunities once they are in the role. We will discuss how you retain your Millennial employees when they are constantly being sources by other companies. If you are a leader who is a Millennial, this will also provide insight on leading Gen X and Boomers on your team. Millennials are the largest generation that has moved into the workforce and will make up 75% of the global workforce in 2025 - are businesses and leaders ready?
Laurie Cox is a very dynamic and captivating speaker. She has the ability to engage the audience through her delivery style and audience participation. Laurie has delivered presentations to RBC clients, Chamber of Commerce, community organizations and academic institutions.
Takeaways: Participants will have a better understanding of the four generations in today's workforce. The audience will feel more prepared to interact with their teams as they learn insights into each of the generations and specifically Millennials who will make up 75% of the global workforce by 2025.
This session will be of interest to: Any employee or leader in today's workforce.
Laurie Cox is a very dynamic and captivating speaker. She has the ability to engage the audience through her delivery style and audience participation. Laurie has delivered presentations to RBC clients, Chamber of Commerce, community organizations and academic institutions.
Takeaways: Participants will have a better understanding of the four generations in today's workforce. The audience will feel more prepared to interact with their teams as they learn insights into each of the generations and specifically Millennials who will make up 75% of the global workforce by 2025.
This session will be of interest to: Any employee or leader in today's workforce.
Laurie Cox, Human Resources Business Partner - Manitoba, Saskatchewan & NW Ontario, RBC
In Laurie’s current role she is responsible for strategically leading and advising the Senior Leadership team in the areas of Talent Management, Diversity, Employee Engagement, Change Management and HR Effectiveness. Educated in Adult Learning and Development Laurie has studied and delivered sessions to Business Leaders across Canada on generational behaviour in the workplace and how to effectively motivate and mentor each generation.
A Culture of Career: Work Skills and Employer Engagement at MITT
In order to prepare students for a successful transition to employment, MITT has created the "Work Skills" and has committed to career education for every student in all technical programs. Employers consistently indicate that it is the employability skills that are the most important in their hiring decisions; MITT students are taught appropriate workplace behaviors (MITT Work Skills) and MITT has piloted a web-based employability skills assessment tool called ESAT (TM) to assess and further develop the skills employers want. This session will also highlight the 4-part "Work Skills" series each student participates in and will share interactive group exercises from the sessions.
This session will share interactive group exercises that are part of the "Work Skills" series at MITT (Employability Skill Development, Resume Development, Interview Skills and Transition to Work). The "Transition to Work" case studies will be shared with the attendees and participants will participate in small groups, sharing their insights with the larger group.
Takeaways: Participants will understand the importance of providing real life examples and interactive activities while assisting clients, and sample exercises will be shared with attendees.
This session will be of interest to: Career development practitioners (post-secondary, non-profit, educators)
This session will share interactive group exercises that are part of the "Work Skills" series at MITT (Employability Skill Development, Resume Development, Interview Skills and Transition to Work). The "Transition to Work" case studies will be shared with the attendees and participants will participate in small groups, sharing their insights with the larger group.
Takeaways: Participants will understand the importance of providing real life examples and interactive activities while assisting clients, and sample exercises will be shared with attendees.
This session will be of interest to: Career development practitioners (post-secondary, non-profit, educators)
Marnie Groeneveld, Senior Manager, Career Development Services, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
Marnie has been dedicated to the career development field for over 19 years focusing on career and employment counselling, group facilitation and project management. Working in high school and post-secondary institutions, non-profit organizations, and private practice has provided an opportunity to look at career development from multiple perspectives. Marnie has worked with diverse clientele including individuals in career transition, new Canadians, and youth.
3rd Breakout Session
“With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility” – The Power of Confidence and how to help others develop it.
Do you work with individuals who have trouble identifying and celebrating their achievements?
How about individuals who will side-step compliments and quickly undervalue their skills and accomplishments?
Or… do you see yourself in the questions above?
In the field of career development, we build confidence in others every single day. That being said…there is no “one-size fits all” strategy for building confidence.
Being a job seeker can be one of the most challenging and vulnerable times in ones life. A lack of confidence is a common barrier in career development. As career development professionals we have the power to build people up during this challenging time.
This session will include stories of both successful and unsuccessful confidence building and break down confidence in a meaningful way. Participants will also have the opportunity to collaborate and share their own confidence building strategies, hacks and techniques. Join us to take on a new perspective on building confidence in people from all walks of life.
Participants will be participating in group discussions / brainstorms. They will also partake in confidence building activities that they could adapt to work within their workplace.
Takeaways: New perspectives on confidence. Concrete examples of times when confidence strategies worked... as well as time when they did not. New tools and ideas to use to build individuals confidence.
This session will be of interest to: Anyone working in the field of career development or similar fields
How about individuals who will side-step compliments and quickly undervalue their skills and accomplishments?
Or… do you see yourself in the questions above?
In the field of career development, we build confidence in others every single day. That being said…there is no “one-size fits all” strategy for building confidence.
Being a job seeker can be one of the most challenging and vulnerable times in ones life. A lack of confidence is a common barrier in career development. As career development professionals we have the power to build people up during this challenging time.
This session will include stories of both successful and unsuccessful confidence building and break down confidence in a meaningful way. Participants will also have the opportunity to collaborate and share their own confidence building strategies, hacks and techniques. Join us to take on a new perspective on building confidence in people from all walks of life.
Participants will be participating in group discussions / brainstorms. They will also partake in confidence building activities that they could adapt to work within their workplace.
Takeaways: New perspectives on confidence. Concrete examples of times when confidence strategies worked... as well as time when they did not. New tools and ideas to use to build individuals confidence.
This session will be of interest to: Anyone working in the field of career development or similar fields
Emily Worthen, Career Development Practitioner & Workshop Facilitator
Emily has a passion for helping others discover and give credit to their skills and strengths. In all her roles, she considers herself to be a self-confidence coach in disguise. She has been able to facilitate people's growth while working as a career/employment coach, workshop facilitator, instructor and manager in post-secondary, non-profit and private environments.
In addition to her B.A. in Psychology, she completed certificates including, Introduction to Employment Services at Dalhousie University, the Practical Facilitation Skills Certificate at the Winnipeg Transition Centre. She completed and then went on to teach workshops for the Career/Employment Coach Certificate, at the Winnipeg Transition Centre.
Before moving to Ottawa, she was on Board of Directors for the Manitoba Association for Career Development and led the Steering Committee for the Let's Get to Work Conference.
In addition to her B.A. in Psychology, she completed certificates including, Introduction to Employment Services at Dalhousie University, the Practical Facilitation Skills Certificate at the Winnipeg Transition Centre. She completed and then went on to teach workshops for the Career/Employment Coach Certificate, at the Winnipeg Transition Centre.
Before moving to Ottawa, she was on Board of Directors for the Manitoba Association for Career Development and led the Steering Committee for the Let's Get to Work Conference.
The Future of the Labour Market is Indigenous
With a growing population and participation in the economy, Indigenous Peoples are taking a more visible role in the Canadian economy.
As we do not know how future will look like, we can make some assumptions and projections if we can identify some current trends.
Also, we can use information from different parts of the world on how other Indigenous Populations are evolving, and incorporate that information into our projections to create a model based on comparative analysis.
From my experience in International Indigenous Economic Development and Business, I will try to showcase how First Nations are not only participating into the labor market in Canada, but also creating a whole new section of the market.
Considering examples of New Zealand, Australia and USA, among other countries, I will provide examples of what can Indigenous business become, and how it can contribute in the whole economy.
Takeaways: Information on the trends for Indigenous Business, in Canada and other countries. And how it can connect with the newcomer workforce.
This session will be of interest to: It will depend on the level of knowledge about First Nations that the audience has. If required, a brief intro will be added to establish a baseline.
As we do not know how future will look like, we can make some assumptions and projections if we can identify some current trends.
Also, we can use information from different parts of the world on how other Indigenous Populations are evolving, and incorporate that information into our projections to create a model based on comparative analysis.
From my experience in International Indigenous Economic Development and Business, I will try to showcase how First Nations are not only participating into the labor market in Canada, but also creating a whole new section of the market.
Considering examples of New Zealand, Australia and USA, among other countries, I will provide examples of what can Indigenous business become, and how it can contribute in the whole economy.
Takeaways: Information on the trends for Indigenous Business, in Canada and other countries. And how it can connect with the newcomer workforce.
This session will be of interest to: It will depend on the level of knowledge about First Nations that the audience has. If required, a brief intro will be added to establish a baseline.
Uriel Jelin, Research, Innovation & Communications Specialist, Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc.
BA on Institutional Organization. Working in the ILDII for the World Indigenous Business Forum since 2016 (Saskatoon 216, Santiago de Chile 2017, New Zealand 2018, Vancouver 2019), working with Indigenous Peoples from different countries for Indigenous Economic Development projects. Participant of EMRIP (2017, UN, Geneva, Switzerland), (IITIO, Oklahoma University, 2019), Speaker at the Global Indigenous Trade Symposium, New Zealand 2019
The Career Mentor Program: A career planning tool used to help students make career decisions
For 30 years, the University of Manitoba’s Career Mentor Program (CMP) has provided a bridge between students and industry professionals. This informational interviewing program, based out of Career Services, supports up to 150+ students per school year and provides an avenue for students to explore occupational ideas and preferred career pathways. Students are connected with industry professionals for one-time informational interviews, which helps them formulate career plans.
During this session, we will discuss how informational interviewing is used in the CMP as an occupational research tool. As the program takes a values-based approach to formulate questions, a values assessment activity will be introduced. Keys to the program’s success including Mentor and student relationship building will be discussed.
It will be fun and interactive! For example, the session will include a values assessment activity which helps individuals formulate questions to ask during their informational interviews in order to make the most of their interactions.
Takeaways:
1) Learn how informational interviewing can be used as an occupational research tool to explore different careers
2) Exposure to a values based approach
This session will be of interest to: Career development professionals and educators who work with individuals in the career planning process
During this session, we will discuss how informational interviewing is used in the CMP as an occupational research tool. As the program takes a values-based approach to formulate questions, a values assessment activity will be introduced. Keys to the program’s success including Mentor and student relationship building will be discussed.
It will be fun and interactive! For example, the session will include a values assessment activity which helps individuals formulate questions to ask during their informational interviews in order to make the most of their interactions.
Takeaways:
1) Learn how informational interviewing can be used as an occupational research tool to explore different careers
2) Exposure to a values based approach
This session will be of interest to: Career development professionals and educators who work with individuals in the career planning process
Lisa McPherson, Career Consultant, University of Manitoba
Lisa MacPherson (B.Env.St., B.Ed.) has been working in career development for over 10 years, more than half of which involved coordination of the university’s Career Mentor Program. Her work has centered around supporting students with career planning and occupational exploration. Her expertise in career information is foundational to her approach with students and her work in resource development.
Jacintha Antonio, Faculty of Education Student, University of Manitoba
Jacintha Antonio (B.Sc) has been working in the area of career development for 10 years, 5 years in which she spent coordinating the Career Mentor Program. She strives to become a guidance counsellor and continue to support students in finding their career paths, a process that she believes is a life-long journey.