News

Far too many seniors face isolation in their retirement years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada is committed to empowering seniors by supporting new opportunities for older Canadians to stay informed, engaged and connected.  Centre for Skills Development is elated to announce that we have received a grant for 'Better Together,' funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. 

We have shifted our services to remote delivery to promote social distancing. Service delivery to new and existing clients will still be available via telephone or e-mail.  Online services are also an option (based on client preference).

Happy Labour Day!! We are closed today and back to working remotely as regularly scheduled tomorrow, September 8. We hope you have a great long weekend!

Centre for Skills Development is elated to announce that we have received a grant for 'Better Together,' funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. The 'Better Together' program will be run by our EIS team and will provide online group activities designed to prevent the social isolation of seniors in a time of recommended physical distancing. 

Register today for our Online Citizenship Preparation Class! Classes begin September 11. 

GET PAID TO LEARN TWO TRADES! Learn electrical and machining trades in our Get in Gear Program & find the right career path for you, all while getting paid to do it! To learn more, or to register: http://centreforskills.ca/Skilled-Trades/Get-in-Gear Program begins September 12.

Join us for our Virtual Open House on August 19 to learn all about our free programs and services that can help you on the path towards career success!

The year 2015 was a big one for Mohamad. After immigrating to Canada from Turkey. With his parents and siblings in August that year, Mohamad began working two jobs to support his family. Looking to learn more about the Canadian workplace and develop new skills in the construction sector, Mohamad applied for the Home Renovation for Newcomers program offered at Centre for Skills Development in January 2019. 

Happy Canada Day!! We are closed today and back to working remotely as regularly scheduled tomorrow, July 2. We hope you have a fabulous long weekend!

Thank you Burlington! - Honoured PLATINUM for 'Best Adult Education Centre' for the Burlington Post 2019 Reader's Choice Awards
 

Many of us have been devastated by the violent, unprovoked actions by Minnesota Police officers, which led to the recent death of George Floyd. At marches in Toronto and Burlington recently, Canadians rallied to honour George Floyd and to combat the effects of racism. As a workplace and community stakeholder, Centre for Skills Development (Centre for Skills) acknowledges the need to speak out and work together to eradicate racism. Please click below to read our full statement. 

In the midst of a global pandemic, our Employment Services team went from instructing in-person, interactive workshops, to delivering them entirely online. Check out this story to see the new methods and kinds of workshops our ES team are now delivering! 

Join our Online Workplace English Classes!

Join our Online Summer ESL Classes - Starts July 6!

During the pandemic, many employers are turning to video calls for their job interviews. For job candidates, the convenience of interviewing from home can be a major bonus! It can save you both travel time and money. 
If you prepare for a video interview in advance, it can also be less stressful than interviewing in person. Check out these tips for how to prepare for a video conference interview! 

Kate Maven has been teaching English to immigrants for over 30 years, but never in the way she is doing now. Thriving on face-to-face interaction and the connections she builds with her students, she has had to make a big adjustment with her teaching methods in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching her Advanced and Basic English classes entirely online. 

The Canadian Mental Health Association has marked the week of May 4 through 10 as Mental Health Week. It is time when we encourage one another to join in on the conversation around mental health, combat the stigma and create positive change. 

As the situation with COVID-19 continues, the Government of Ontario has mandated all non-essential businesses to be closed at this time. Therefore,  our Industrial Millwright Mechanic & Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Youth and Women in Skilled Trades: Enhanced General Carpentry program both originally scheduled to begin April 6 have been postponed until we receive further instruction from the Ministry.

At Centre for Skills Development, the health and safety of our clients and staff is our number one priority. We are responding to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) situation with the immediate closure of Centre for Skills Development locations to the public, until further notice. For the latest updates about cancellations and closures, please continue to visit this 'CENTRE NEWS' section of our website. 

At Centre for Skills Development, the health and safety of our clients and staff is our number one priority. We are responding to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) situation including the closure of Centre for Skills Development locations to the public until further notice.  For the latest updates about cancellations and closures, please continue to visit this 'CENTRE NEWS' section of our website. 

The health and safety of our clients, staff and event participants are of utmost importance in everything that we do. Therefore, given the current health concerns about COVID-19, Centre for Skills Development has made the decision to cancel all future public events for the time being, as a proactive measure.

We've been nominated for the Burlington Post 2019 Reader's Choice Awards for 'Best Adult Education Centre'!! 

We've been nominated for the Burlington Post 2019 Reader's Choice Awards for 'Best Learning Centre'!! 

Our Get in Gear ladies learned how to dress for success yesterday, learning tips from special guest Lisa Boyce, of MonahLisa Styles Image/Fashion Consulting Agency.  

Be a positive influence on the students in your community as a school bus driver! Register today for the Attridge Transportation hiring event: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/attridge-transportation-hiring-event-tickets-87140213725  

Love driving cars? Nova Driver Services is currently hiring! Join us on January 24 for their hiring event! Register today: https://nova-driver-services-jan.eventbrite.ca  

We were thrilled to have Jane McKenna, MPP Burlington join us yesterday at our Skilled Trades site to announce the $214,105 funding for our Industrial Millwright/Mechanic & Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship for Youth program for another intake!

Need help with computer basics to enhance your job search? If you have little to no experience using computers, we can help you boost your job searching skills in our free six-week computer course!

ParaMed is seeking energetic and dedicated Personal Support Workers, Developmental Social Workers, Nursing students and Health Care Aides to join their dynamic team of community support caregivers. Register today: https://paramed-hiring-event.eventbrite.ca

Networking is one of the most important things you can do to support your job search. During the holidays, often people think it is time to put away their resumes until the new year, but that is not the case! The holidays can make for a great time to network and expand on your contacts. Check out these tips on how you can mix in career networking into this season's festivities.

Our Workplace English classes are now in two locations! Click here to find out more. 

The Art Workshop for Newcomers on Friday at our Burlington site was a huge success! In partnership with Art Gallery of Burlington, this free workshop taught basic techniques for painting in watercolour. Clients were encouraged to share their settlement story through art form and connect with others in their new community.

We had a wonderful evening last night celebrating the achievements of our clients and students at our 2019 Celebrating Success event. We listened to some great stories from our ‘Stars’ who shared in their own words what their journey towards success has meant for them and celebrated the achievements of our Women in Skilled Trades: Enhanced General Carpentry graduates and scholarship recipient winners.

This week, our Get In Gear students and Employment Services clients had the opportunity to learn first-hand about careers in the Canadian Navy when they were invited to attend a VIP tour and sail aboard the warship HMCS St.Johns.

Share your settlement story through art on November 29! Register today by emailing alice.maroti@centreforskills.ca 

In Venezuela, Alice had been working as a Lawyer for almost ten years. After moving to Canada in 2012 and becoming a Settlement Information Specialist for Centre for Skills Development, Alice is excited to combine her two passions of legal and newcomer services into her new role as a Commissioner of Oaths for Centre for Skills Development.

Amazon strives to have a positive impact on customers, employees, small businesses, the economy, and communities. Join us for their Hiring Event on Monday, November 4 in Milton for Full-time Seasonal Warehouse Associates! Register today: https://amazon-hiring-event.eventbrite.ca   

#October is National #Disability Employment Awareness Month! The goal during this month is to increase #awareness of the positive outcomes of #hiring persons with #disabilities in #Canada.

Join us in this interactive speed networking workshop on October 23 in Burlington and learn how to grab attention, identify your strengths and finish with a call to action! Register today: https://speed-networking-workshop.eventbrite.ca 

Congratulations 🎓 to all of our Industrial Millwright/Mechanic & Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Youth students on successfully completing their program! We wish you the very best in the next chapter of your careers!

Topnotch Employment Services has several warehousing and distribution clients currently seeking qualified candidates for various locations. Click here to register for the hiring event today!

Everyone understands the importance of networking, but it can often appear intimidating. Check out these networking tips, as well as information about our upcoming Accessing the Hidden Job Market workshops!

All of our sites are closed on September 2 in order to celebrate Labour Day, and will re-open as regularly scheduled September 3. We hope you enjoy the long weekend! 

Learn about various career paths and types of trades the Canadian Armed Forces recruit for with Petty Officer Monique Warning on Tuesday, September 17. To register click here. 

Rasha Abou Chakra is the first point of contact in her workplace. When clients walk in the door, her duty is to present the company's services in a positive way and suggest solutions to their challenges. It's hard to believe that only three years ago Rasha could barely speak English. Read about Rasha's journey through our Immigration programs!

Many people believe that the summer months are a time where they should put away their résumé, but perception that companies cut back on hiring during the summer months simply is not true. Check out these four reasons why you should keep hunting while the sun is shining!

All Centre for Skills locations will be closed Monday, August 5 for the Civic Holiday. All of our sites will re-open as regularly scheduled Tuesday, August 6.

We are closed today and back to working remotely as regularly scheduled tomorrow, August 4. We hope you have a fabulous long weekend!

Happy Canada Day!! All of our sites are closed today and will reopen as regularly scheduled tomorrow, July 2. We hope you have a fabulous long weekend!

It's a fact: Knowing how to answer the tough questions in a job interview in ways that are both honest and powerful can help impress the interviewer and land the job. But how do you make sure you deliver a strong, solid interview? Read on to find out!

Interested in learning the English language this summer? Join our Summer ESL classes!

On June 4, job seekers and employers connected at Centre for Skills Development Spring Job Fair held at the Haber Recreation Centre in Burlington.

You may have heard that you need a Commissioner of Oaths in order to sign official documents. But what exactly does a Commissioner of Oaths do, and what kind of documents do they sign? Click here to find out!

“Treat your education like it’s a job; I’ll be showing these students exactly what it is like in the real world, so it will be very hands on!” Read Ryan's story about how he's come full circle from student to instructor for our Get in Gear program!

Meet face to face with multiple companies hiring throughout the Halton and surrounding regions at the Spring Job Fair. Stay connected with the employment market, connect with other job seekers and employers, and increase your chance for an interview! To register: https://spring-job-fair.eventbrite.ca 

Meet face to face with multiple companies hiring throughout the Halton and surrounding regions at the Spring Job Fair. Stay connected with the employment market, connect with other job seekers and employers, and increase your chance for an interview! To register: https://spring-job-fair.eventbrite.ca 

Con-grad-ulations to our Get in Gear students on graduating! These students spent the last 20 weeks in our career and trades exploration program developing life and employability skills, as well as hands-on training in construction, manufacturing and electrical, followed up by a 10 week paid work placement with a local employer.

Learn more about our Holiday Hours for April 19 - 22. 

Immediately after Barbara was laid off from her job, she drove straight to Centre for Skills Development for help. Read about Barbara's story here.

On Wednesday, March 27, former Enhanced Language Training (ELT) student, Ghina Saflo, was warmly welcomed into the Toronto studio of renowned Canadian interior designer and entrepreneur, Brian Gluckstein, for an informational interview.

With over 15 years experience in the construction industry, Gangjian even found hanging a TV in his Canadian house a challenge. Read about Gangjian's experience coming to Canada, and how our Home Renovation for Newcomers program has impacted him. 

Happy International Women's Day! A balanced world is a better world, and today we celebrate women's achievements and raise awareness against bias. Our Women in Skilled Trades: Enhanced General Carpentry (WIST) program provides eligible women with the tools and training to launch a career in the Construction Industry. Learn more here. 

After actively sending your resume out and applying for job openings, you've finally got a call from a company that wants you to come in for an interview! Here are some tips in order to prepare yourself for aceing your interview.

​Due to poor weather and deteriorating road conditions, all Centre for Skills sites will close today (Wed., Feb. 27). Stay safe!

We apologize for any inconvenience, but during such weather conditions we err on the side of caution for the safety of our clients and staff.

Other Employment Services providers who may assist you are listed when you press the READ MORE button below.
 

Join us in celebrating and welcoming newcomers to Halton Region!

Seasons Retirement Communities is hiring! Join us for their Hiring Event on February 20, where they are hiring for positions in both Independent Care and Memory Care home areas: https://seasons-retirement.eventbrite.ca

The next WIST program starts on April 1, 2019. Information sessions are taking place throughout February and beginning of March, any interested clients are encouraged to register online at https://wist2019.eventbrite.ca.

The change that comes with moving to a new country was not easy for Ahmed and his family, but hope for a better life was what made it worth it. Read Ahmed's story moving to Canada and his experience in our English Language Learning program.

What is a career assessment? A career assessment is a tool to help individuals determine their interests and personality as well as preferred work styles and environments. They can be completed online or in person.

Looking for a job? Part-time, weekend and summer positions available!

New to Canada and Need Help? Click this article to find out when our Commissioner of Oaths staff are available at Tansley Woods and New Appleby Branch Library. 

Join us on January 29 to hear keynote speaker Robert Young disucss updates and news regarding Canadian Immigration.

Check out the Holiday hours for our Employment Services at our different locations between Monday, December 24, 2018 -Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

Still spots available for our Enhanced Language Training Program, registration open to students until January 18, 2019. 

It was while dancing Albina discovered her love for Canada. Check out Albina's story and learn how she continues to share her story with Centre for Skills ELT students and tell them hard work can lead to reaching your goals. 

Join us on Wednesday, November 28 for our 'How Do I Become a Millwright/Machinist?' Information Session! Register today at: https://millwrightmachinist.eventbrite.ca 

Join us on Saturday, November 24 for our 'How Do I Become a Contractor?' Information Session! Register today at: https://becomingacontractor.eventbrite.ca

Completing our Industrial Millwright Mechanic and Machinist Program, Joe finished top of his class and is currently employed as a General Machinist Apprentice with ABBA Pumps. Click the video below to see Joe's story.

Our 20th Anniversary of "Celebrating Success" was a success.

Congratulations to client award winners and to all Centre staff on our 20th anniversary!

Join us on Wednesday, November 21 for our 'How Do I Become an Electrician?' Information Session! Register today at: https://becomeanelectrician.eventbrite.ca

"Without the Centre for Skills help, I would not have got this job." Check out this video of Daisy's newcomer story and where she is today.

Over the past few months, we have refined our name and visual identity to better reflect our values and organization as a whole. Take a look at our video introducing our new name and look! 

Join us on Thursday, October 25 for our Media Resources Hiring Event! Join a team with 50 years of experience in manufacturing digital displays, sign installation and large format digital printing. Register today: https://centre-job-fair-media-resources.eventbrite.ca

Subscribe to our new Job Board Newsletter and receive job posting updates directly to your e-mail! To subscribe, visit: http://ow.ly/8HOf30lZ9wg

Five scholarships were awarded to students who are preparing for a career in the Skilled Trades, and exhibit leadership attributes. Throughout their time at The Centre, they demonstrated exemplary effort both academically and technically, and will be using their award specifically towards the purchase of tools or apply it to their tool fee.

Richard Santamaria had been working in the Tool & Die industry for years before he started teaching The Centre’s Millwright & Machinist program, with over 23 years of experience under his belt.

Are you currently unemployed and having trouble finding a job? Join our Job Seekers Support Group and network with others in a similar situation! Biweekly, every other Monday starting September 10.

Register today for our September 5 Medican Staffing Hiring Event, which has approximately 200 positions available for hire! To register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/medicantop-notch-employment-services-hiring-event-tickets-49045958783 

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is honoured to have the generous support of Frontline Home Inspectors & Building Consultants as one of the sponsors for our Tiny Home RV Program!

Journeypersons and Apprenticeship Trainers who are looking to provide or currently providing apprenticeship training can register to attend the workshop here.  

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is honoured to have the generous support of Rockwool as one of the sponsors for our Tiny Home RV Program!

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is honoured to have the generous support of Brandon Laidman Plumbing Inc. as one of the sponsors for our Tiny Home RV Program!

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is honoured to have the generous support of Billet Marketing as one of the sponsors for our Tiny Home RV Program!

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is honoured to have the generous support of Arriba Contracting as one of the sponsors for our Tiny Home RV Program!

First Services Hospitality Inc. is recruiting to fill multiple positions for the prestigious Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club, Oakville. Follow these 3 easy steps to meet the employer on July 19! 

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is honoured to have the generous support of GEM Windows as one of the sponsors for our Tiny Home RV Program!

Rain or shine the 7th Annual Oakville Family Ribfest hosted by Oakville Trafalgar Rotary was a great success, as we excitedly premiered our very first Tiny Home RV!

With a qualified teacher in a comfortable environment, learn all about the Canadian Culture, common English expresions and practice your language skills in our ESL Summer Classes. Register today!

Last night's Newcomer Recognition Awards proved to be a very exciting evening for The Centre, as three of our staff and one client were honoured by The Halton Newcomer Strategy.

Join us on Thursday, June 14 for our Skilled Trades Open House! Attend this informative event to meet employers, graduates, instructors and job developers in the Skilled Trades industry. Register today at: skilledtradesopenhouse.eventbrite.ca

Meet face to face with multiple companies hiring throughout the Halton and surrounding regions at our Spring Job Fair on Wednesday June 13 at the Burlington Convention Centre! Register at: https://centre-job-fair.eventbrite.ca  

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is honoured to have the generous support of Henry Blueskin VP100 Housewrap as one of the sponsors for our Tiny Home RV Program!

The Centre for Skills Development & Training in partnership with the Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar (RCOT) is proud to announce the launching of our Tiny Home RV program. 

Throughout the day, over 300 interested community members bustled inside the Milton Sports Centre to connect with 30+ local employers. 

In partnership with the Ontario Centre for Workforce Innovation (OCWI), The Centre for Skills Development & Training (The Centre) is implementing and evaluating a new model of shared apprenticeship called the Ontario Adult Apprenticeship Program (OAAP).

On March 23, we celebrated the graduation ceremony for our first Home Renovation for Newcomers class. 

Celebrating International Women's Day this week, IKEA Canada works towards building a more inclusive and equal world through their partnership with Canadian Women's Foundation. 

For the fourth year in a row, The Centre for Skills Development & Training has been awarded in two categories of the Burlington Post Readers’ Choice Awards.

After John Oliver, Member of Parliament for Oakville announced his exciting contest , asking offices, families, friends and organizations of all kinds to show their Olympic spirit and support of Team Canada, The Centre wanted to show they were up for the challenge!

When more people can afford post-secondary education, our economy can grow and our middle class can thrive. That is why the Government of Canada is helping more low- and middle-income families save money for their children’s post-secondary education through the Canada Learning Bond.

Tiny home communities are proving to be a viable affordable housing solution in many parts of the world. In Canada, the tiny house movement addresses several pressing social issues; access to affordable housing, environmental impact, and now, thanks to the innovative new Tiny Homes program from The Centre for Skills Development & Training, even the employment skills gap.