Bridge2Work Specialist
POSITION TITLE: Bridge2Work Specialist
PROGRAM: Newcomer Services
COMPANY: Skills for Change
LOCATION: 791 St Clair Ave, Toronto ON
CONTRACT TYPE: Full-time Contract(Union)
HOURS: 35 hours per week (Monday-Friday with occasional evening and/or weekend hours)
PAY RATE: $27.00/hr
REPORTS TO: Supervisor, Settlement Services
START DATE: Immediately
Application Deadline: Open until filled
GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY:
With 40+ years of operations, Skills for Change is a highly respected non-profit charity with a province-wide reputation for pioneering programs that respond to shifting immigration and workplace trends and lead to employment. Skills for Change provides multi-sited employment, job skills, career exploration through mentoring and entrepreneurship, job development, mental health, and wellness, language and settlement programs, and services throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas. Skills for Change’s vision is for a Canada where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed.
PROGRAM NATURE AND SCOPE:
The Newcomer Settlement Program is designed for early to mid-career newcomer professionals with intermediate-level English who are interested in pursuing a career in data analytics. The primary goals of the 10-week program are to enhance participants’ English language proficiency specifically in the context of data analytics, ensuring effective workplace communication within this field and to prepare them for seamless integration into the Canadian workplace culture and job market. Additionally, the program focuses on equipping participants with the knowledge, language and practical competencies essential for employment within the data analytics sector. This includes providing hands-on experience with common data analytics technical skills such as tools, programming languages, and sample datasets required for technical skills assessments during job interviews. Lastly, the program aims to facilitate connections between participants and potential employers in the data-analytics field, enhancing job placement opportunities and industry engagement. The enhanced language and workplace communication and culture components will be delivered by a TESL certified instructor, while subject matter experts will provide training in technical skills and platforms. The Bridge2Work Specialist will work on the Newcomer Settlement program to ensure clients access meaningful training, placement, and employment opportunities and are equipped to respond to the labour market. The B2W Specialist works collaboratively across Skills for Change programs to ensure clients have additional resources, incentives and connections to successfully secure employment.
IDEAL CANDIDATE must have
● Knowledge of the data analytics sector and labour market trends and opportunities for women and newcomers
● Sensitivity to, and understanding of, issues and barriers to employment faced by women, immigrants, youth, and other
underserved groups
● Ability to identify needs, goal aspirations, skills, abilities, and services needed for clients
● Demonstrated commitment to high standards of culturally sensitive service delivery within an anti-racist and anti-oppressive
framework
● Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask while maintaining a high level of accuracy
● We encourage applications from candidates with lived experience similar to the clients we serve
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
◉ Support the program implementation plan, including recruitment, intake, and other services
◉ Create and facilitate information sessions for clients on Skills for Change programs as well as all relevant resources and services available in the community
◉ Provide one-on-one counseling support and guidance and develop career action plans, including job search preparation, understanding the labor market demands, managing their expectations, supporting their job search activities, assisting them to match resumes with job postings and preparing them for interviews, monitoring their work placements, and support their job readiness and retention once employed
◉ Network with community agencies and perform community outreach visits to promote and raise the profile of Skills for Change and to promote the program
◉ Research and keep updated on labor market information related to data analytics and related sectors
◉ Invite guest speakers to conduct information sessions on specific topics based on client needs
◉ Conduct client referrals to appropriate wraparound supports/services to address their needs
◉ Facilitate online and classroom workplace preparation and essential skills workshops that include career planning, employer expectations, workplace empowerment and advancement, and gender-sensitive training
◉ Coordinate integrated program delivery with language instructor and subject matter experts, ensuring program plan is developed collaboratively and delivered effectively
◉ Market clients to potential employers and help clients find paid work placements
◉ Liaise with partners to develop and support clients through training and placement
◉ Conduct site visits assessing the appropriateness of the workplace and the capacity of the employer to provide a positive experience with work-related training
◉ Maintain client database and case management files, produce statistics, and reports as required by the program, including preparing client testimonials and success stories
◉ Coordinate mentorship networking and individual mentoring sessions between clients and alumni and/or volunteers
◉ Work with the partners and teams to develop and support job retention strategies from both an employer and client-centred perspective
◉ Follow up with the program participants at regular intervals as mandated or required by the program
◉ Participate and assist in the organization, marketing, and promotion of various events such as employer engagement, mentoring, networking sessions, special events
◉ Participate in the distribution, collection, and analysis of participant surveys and other evaluation and tracking procedures
◉ Participate in team meetings; staff meetings and committee meetings as required
◉ Evaluate the effectiveness of service delivery and present solutions to enhance services on an ongoing basis
◉ Other duties as assigned by Management
SKILLS, EDUCATION & ATTRIBUTES:
◉ Post-Secondary degree in social work or a related field and/or credentials as a Social Worker, Career
Counsellor, or Community Service Worker with newcomer/immigrant focus
◉ Demonstrated experience and passion for training and employment as it relates to data analytics and/or related sectors it is applied
◉ Minimum of 3 years experience providing wrap-around supports, job coaching, and counselling for women, youth, newcomers and immigrants, and individuals in receipt of social assistance
◉ Knowledge of and familiarity with the data analytics labor market information
◉ Knowledge of all community resources that can support multi-barriered jobseekers , in order to provide the necessary guidance and referrals
◉ Experience with building relationships with employers to establish placement and employment opportunities
◉ Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
◉ Excellent presentation and facilitation skills in-person and virtual, knowledge of adult learning principles
◉ Team player with initiative, energy, and persistence
◉ Sensitivity to, and understanding of, issues and barriers to employment faced by women, newcomers, immigrants, youth, and other disadvantaged groups
◉ Excellent teamwork and positive attitude toward change
◉ Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team in a diverse, dynamic, and fast-paced work environment
◉ Strong problem-solving skills and organizational skills
◉ Proficiency in Windows, MS Office, internet use, and ability to deliver PowerPoint presentations
◉ Knowledge of Salesforce is an asset
◉ A clear, mandatory vulnerable sector check is required
WHAT WE OFFER:
◉ Hybrid work arrangement
◉ Funding for professional development
◉ Career growth and learning opportunities
◉ Staff team building events
◉ Equitable and culturally diverse work environment
PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO:
hr@skillsforchange.org
As part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, racial justice, and reconciliation, Skills for Change encourages applications from those who identify as Black, Indigenous, LGBTQS+, Racialized, and other under-represented communities. Skills for Change offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in each stage of the hiring process. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation. This document is available in an alternate format on request.
We thank all applicants for their interest in this position however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.