Normally I wouldn't take more than a passing glance at a government budget. But a Toronto Star article referring to last week's throne speech piqued my interest. It talked about a new agenda aimed at getting our "1.5 million unemployed back to work, with billions of dollars in investments to spur creation of cutting-edge jobs in the knowledge-based economy."

Wanting to know more, I took on the self-inflicted torture of reading Budget 2010: Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth. Wandering through the budget maze -- I admit I got lost a few times -- I picked up a few crumbs of information of interest to job seekers.

Young Workers
Youth organizations have gotten a nice piece of the cake, with funds forthcoming for Career Focus internships, Skills Link, Pathways to Education Canada and the Canadian Youth Business Foundation.

Older Workers
It seems that older workers, however, have received but a sliver of the sweet stuff. The government does, however, plan to expand the scope of the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, a program "designed to improve the employability of participants from 55 to 64."

Manufacturing Workers
The government also plans to cut all remaining tariffs on manufacturing inputs (like raw materials) and machinery and equipment. I gather that this initiative is supposed to create 12,000 jobs over time, just don't ask me how.

Knowledge-Based Workers
Looking into the future, the government has earmarked just under $2 billion for "post-secondary education and research, technology and innovation, and environmental protection," or PSERTIEP (my acronym). The gold medal winner, the Canadian Space Agency, landed almost half a billion dollars to develop the RADARSAT Constellation Mission. In addition, money will flow to set up a new "enterprise innovation commercialization program" and a new post-doctoral fellowships program.

Other items in this category to receive funding include:

• A nuclear and particle physics facility
• Genome Canada
• The Rick Hansen Foundation for spinal cord research
• The National Research Council Canada's innovation clusters program

The government is clearly investing in the knowledge economy, and although I am not against this strategy, I wonder if it will translate into employment. If it does, will it only cutting-edge jobs for those with advanced degrees? In the near term, will this budget help unemployed workers find a job, or are they going to continue to take a royal beating?

For More Information:

• The Canadian Science Policy Centre: Budget 2010: Starting to Get the Message

kathyo

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Several years ago, while watching a videotape of myself doing a mock interview, I cringed; I was as stiff and wooden as Pinocchio before he sprung to life.

My awareness of my less-than-stellar oral communication skills was immediately heightened. I vowed to fix this problem and shortly thereafter started attending a Toastmasters public speaking group. My confidence grew as I "took first place" in an informal contest held by my very supportive group. I would have kept on going ... but, of all things, I got a job, where my writing skills mattered more than my public speaking abilities, and ... Toastmasters went by the wayside.

Recently I got reconnected to public speaking when I attended a workshop on communication skills put on by Skills for Change in conjunction with the Ebony Toastmasters.

In case your speaking style is about as dynamic as your average wooden puppet, here's a bit about what I learned.

I found out about the importance of timing. People being interviewed don't always know when to stop, said Rita, a workshop leader. "That can be a killer at an interview." (I''m usually a woman of few words, but I can ramble on with the best of them in a tense social situation such as a job interview.)

I also learned that you should have a smile in your voice. (According to Tips for Improving the Tone of Your Voice [PDF], "When you smile, the vocal cords are pulled differently and the voice automatically sounds friendlier.") Another tip: when faced with a panel interview one way to relax is to look at the person who is smiling.

We also practiced impromptu speaking. I was asked to speak about whether I preferred sunsets over sunrises. (Since I never get up early enough to see the sunrise, the answer was obvious.) But the group wanted more details. Since I didn't take notes the last time I watched the sun melt into the night, I proceeded to somberly babble on about how great sunsets were -- not a great performance, I'm afraid to say.

So, in the end, going to that workshop taught me another lesson. Public speaking is a lot like basketball; if you're not on the court shooting baskets (i.e., on the podium giving speeches) you lose your skills. But the good thing is that these skills can easily be revived -- all it takes is joining a public speaking group.

kathyo

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I was recently on vacation and decided to work on some home renovation projects including putting in a patio in the backyard. An ambitious project I admit, but I had taken the brief course offered by Unilock and was good to go. I needed to dig down a foot or so, put in fabric and screenings and build the base for paving stone. After about the second day of hauling stuff with my wheelbarrow I thought maybe I could get a student to help me and I would pay them well for this "grunt" work. In the old days you could call the Youth Summer Employment Centre operated by what is now Service Canada and get a student helper, babysitter, sales clerk, general labourer or whatever, which was a great thing.

So I called 1-800-O-Canada to get the number of the local youth employment centre. The employee who answered had no telephone number for the youth employment centre. I knew there was such a centre on Neilson Road. I then called a friend who gave me the number. I called and explained my situation. I was asked to visit the office the next day to complete a request for staff to help with my patio project.

In the end I didn't go to the office. I feared that I would be denied because I wasn't planning to pay into Employment Insurance or workers' compensation and I would lose a day of ditch digging. To quote Samantha from Sex in the City, I can't help but think that if I were a real employer wanting to give a young person some gainful summer employment would I be tenacious enough to dig through the bureaucracy.

Susan Stone

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My mantra is: if you feel cheated, find out your rights and use them. Welfare worker holding your cheque? Speak to the supervisor and if you're still dissatisfied go to client services. Application for CPP denied? Appeal the decision. The door falling off your apartment and the kitchen crawling with cockroaches -- call the tenants' hotline.

I'm so into citizens rights I'm surprised I'm not a Ralph Nader groupie.

So, it's not a huge surprise that my ears perked up the other day as I was listening to an interview on CBC radio with Paul Dubé, Canada's first taxpayers' ombudsman. Dubé, who's been in the position just over a year, reviews mistakes and other service-related complaints about the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

I could have used Dubé's help two years ago when I found out that the CRA expected me to pay taxes on money that had never touched my hands. (I was being taxed on money that had gone directly to my lawyer for helping me get a long-term disability settlement.) This felt grossly unfair to me. So I called up the CRA to complain. I ended up speaking to four employees, all of whom said that that's the way it was, there was nothing I could do.

There were no people like Paul Dubé back then, but I am never one to back down from a bureaucratic challenge. So, I walked over to my MP's office and told my story. Within a matter of days, an unnamed contact in Ottawa discovered that a new law was in the making that would allow me to deduct legal expenses from my employment income. I ended up saving big time. But I wouldn't have saved a cent if I hadn't pushed things.

kathyo

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The other day I went to an information session about Katimavik. It is a national nonprofit organization for young Canadians aged 17 to 21, who get to travel to and work in one of 40 locations across the country. The purpose of this program is to improve second-language skills, immerse yourself in unique cultures, participate in group living and, most importantly, get invaluable work experience. On top of that, you might get a chance to actually try out your dream job.

The presenter at the information session, Liam, talked about how he worked in television -- originally his top choice -- as part of Katimavik and how he discovered that it was not what he wanted to do in the end. The next time he partook in the program, Liam got a chance to work with an NGO (Non Governmental Organization) that dealt with international development and politics -- this was how he discovered what really mattered to him.

Liam said that you not only get experience, great letters of recommendation and references from your project leader, you can also receive certificates from different workshops that you take while fulfilling your Katimavik term (for example, in conflict resolution).

The program lasts up to nine months and participants are with their group almost the entire time. There are 10 people in the group, guys and girls, and the only older adult in the house is a project leader. This is someone who is usually more than 21 years old and who is a paid employee.

In order to get in to Katimavik, you have to apply online and, once accepted, give your top three available job choices from the list on the site. Once you pick them, you meet with community members for interviews.

To find more information go to www.katimavik.org; also read our articles about internships and youth programs.

ttyl

Jowita

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It's been half a lifetime since I qualified as a young worker; still, the memories of being 22 and looking for work are fresh in my mind. I was living in New Brunswick at the time (before it became the call centre Mecca of the East), and you might say the job outlook was a little like the one faced by the Oshawa of today.

So, I can't say I felt like the world was at my feet when I graduated with my English Literature degree in 1984; dazed and confused described my inner landscape more aptly.

I gamely applied for the few jobs that came up, wrote a couple of (poorly paid) freelance pieces, and worked part-time at -– shudder -- Kmart of Canada. (If you're too young to remember those blue light specials, think a combination of Value Village and Bargain Harolds.) Working the cash register there was a grisly experience; I still remember the waves of shame as I rang up the men's acrylic sox, plastic plant holders and ubiquitous Cabbage Patch doll for my former Romantic Poetry professor.

I stumbled my way through that period, eventually moving to Halifax to take some practical training, and, despite a few glitches, I finally landed my first full-time job.

Although I landed on the road to employment I can't help thinking that it could have been easier if I had had some support and guidance back then -- maybe someone to help me with my resumé or to point out the skills I had or even just to let me know that I wasn't alone. But I simply didn't know about any youth employment programs when I lived down East – though I'm sure they did exist. Twenty-five years later I'm more than aware of the services for youth looking for work in Toronto. There's a lot out there, take advantage of it, I say. In a city like ours you can get all the help you need.

kathyo

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I have been spending quite a bit of time lately with a friend who's unemployed. On our long health walks (hey, free outdoor gym), she tells me about the latest library book she has read, interesting radio shows she has listened to on a library computer and readings she has attended -- you have guessed correctly -- at the library. And, all of this for free! I would say that public libraries are not only keeping her busy -- they are keeping her sane. Visiting the library may not have given my friend a job yet but it has kept her in good spirits for when the perfect job offer hits her door steps.

It's too easy to get depressed when unemployed. No money coming in, too much going out and having to deal with the feeling that you're the only person on the planet who doesn't have a job. The Toronto Public Libraries not only provide access to great reading, free Internet and free wireless access at some locations, they also offer many free programs and events that help keep your spirits up.

In April, the Toronto Public Library system features Keep Toronto Reading 2009 including a Lit Lunch series, where authors of books about food and wine are featured. You can bring your own lunch or buy the one on offer for only $5.

When I'm not busy I join my friend in her exploration of local attractions with the free museums and art passes that admit two adults and up to five children under the age of 18. So far, we've visited the Bata Shoe Museum on a cold and dreary spring day and we're looking forward to more great outings, thanks to our local Toronto Public Library branch.

Josée

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I've read Jason Luxton's story in the Toronto Star with great interest. He is a former automotive worker who decided to apply to the Ontario government's Second Career program to get retrained as a power-engineering technician. I had no idea that the process of applying to this program was so involved but I think that just shows that it is a serious process that -- hopefully -- ensures serious results. Luxton had to interview six potential employers about the field he was going to enter, he had numerous other interviews as well and had to write a test. He was, at one point, told that he may likely receive $28,000 to cover his tuition and expenses.

I won't give away how Luxton's story ends, but I have to say that I was really impressed with his persistence considering the circumstances. He has a family and has been out of work for six months -- it can't be easy for him to go through this. The few short-lived instances when I wasn't working, I recall as really stressful and full of unknown fears about the future. I am glad that there are people like Luxton in the world who show the rest of us that persistence pays off and that there are second chances ...

ttyl

Jowita

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I thought I knew all that there was to know about writing spectacular cover letters, killer resumés and so on. After all, over the years I'd gotten an interview or two based on what I had sent out. Until, one year, I kept sending out those masterpieces and sending them and ... nothing. Not a single phone call. So, based on the advice of someone who knew better than to listen to my woe-is-me rant, I went to a workshop that was supposed to teach me how to do those resumés and cover letters the right way.

I'll be honest with you: I went there with the wrong attitude. I couldn't possibly imagine how slight formatting adjustments and other "stupid" stuff would make any difference. But it did. I sent out three resumés and three cover letters that same week. And maybe this is some crazy coincidence, but I got three phone calls back and I set up three interviews. Last month, I had a chance to go back to that employment centre where I took those workshops and talk about my experience to people involved with the centre. It felt great to be able to give back a little.

Since that time, I've been a huge fan of employment workshops. Whether it's finding your transferable skills, polishing your cover letter writing, or knowing what to say and do during an interview, taking a couple hours of your time to learn and refresh your job search skills is really worth it. Try 211toronto.ca to start your search on employment centres near you and find a workshop that you can benefit from. Trust me, it's totally worth it!

ttyl

Jowita

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The "automotive industry" and "job loss" seem to come in the same breath these days. Job loss is certainly a hot topic with talk of whether or not to bail out the US auto industry and the uncertainty of recovery in the American auto makers' sector.

I grew up in a small industrial town in rural Quebec where jobs were scarce. I remember my older sister years ago losing her job as an administrative assistant and being faced with no prospects whatsoever at working at what she was trained in. After a few sessions with a career counsellor, she decided to retrain through a provincial government initiative similar to the present government of Ontario's Second Career program. She chose her new profession from a career sector where there were jobs (like jobs in demand). She signed up for the one-year course at a college 60 km away, packed her bags, found an apartment and said good bye to her past work life. The subsidy she was granted, once her tuition was paid, left her little to live on and she had to use up the small savings that she had. But in the end, she graduated as an aesthetician and found a great job right away at an upscale spa -- mind you she had to move again.

The Canadian Auto Workers' Union and Chrysler, with some financial help from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, set up an Open Action Centre in Brampton this May in order to assist laid-off employees at the Chrysler plant. In an interview with CBC Radio on Nov. 10, Cammie Peirce, head of the Open Action Centre, talked passionately about the hardship that the auto industry employees are going through and the loss of a lifestyle they have grown accustomed to. "There's no way that they are going to find a job making that kind of money. Those kinds of changes are scary," she said. Ms. Peirce also shared that after working 21 years at Chrysler, this is the first time she's been afraid of losing her job. She mentioned how destabilising that feeling is, adding, "I don't know what direction I would take but I know that I would do some kind of retraining as fast as I can."

It seems that with the current economic climate, retraining may be the answer to unemployment. Two thirds of the readers who took our October poll answered that they would be willing to retrain. Would you?

Josée

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The other weekend, I had a bike accident. I split my shin open and fainted right in the middle of the city on a very hot day. I was in a bit of a shock from the injury and was not doing too great in general. Within seconds, what seemed like a dozen people were ready to help me and paramedics were on their way. I got a ride to the emergency room in an ambulance and everything ended relatively well –- I was stitched up, cleaned up and home three hours later. I was so impressed with everyone who helped, but I especially couldn’t get over the paramedics. This is what they do all the time –- deal with people in shock, often in pain, often in crazy weather conditions. I mean, I know that everyone knows this about paramedics. but I don’t think I really appreciated them until I needed them.

Whether or not you receive paramedic care is often the deciding factor between life and death or disability. It can also determine how long you stay in a hospital, if at all. Paramedics have to have great decision-making and leadership skills and be empathetic and firm on top of that.

Last month, Toronto Emergency Medical Services celebrated EMS week where paramedics and emergency medical dispatchers met with people to talk about their work and to educate them about handling medical emergencies. If you missed EMS week, you can always take a course to learn first aid and CPR -- you never know when you might need it.

ttyl

Jowita

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