Embark on a Bright Future with Centre for Skills Development!
Are you entrepreneurial, client-focused and committed to teamwork and excellence? Do you enjoy working with clients from diverse backgrounds? If you want to work for a recognized leader in career and workforce development, then consider a career with Centre for Skills Development!
Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, with locations in Oakville, Milton and Clarkson, Centre for Skills delivers high caliber employment services, language training & settlement services, skilled trades training and literacy upgrading. Providing people with opportunities to build a better future and making a positive impact on peoples’ lives is integral to the business of Centre for Skills. For more information, visit: centreforskills.ca
THE OPPORTUNITY
Job Number: 466
Job Title: Trades Employment Specialist
Department: Skilled Trades
Location: Burlington In-person
Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm / 10:30am - 6:30pm
Hours of Work: Permanent Full-time (35 hours per week)
Pay Rate: $60,569 per annum
The Trades Employment Specialist plays a key role in supporting the successful recruitment, assessment, onboarding, and career development of newcomers to Canada enrolled in the Ontario Bridge Training Program (OBTP) pre-apprenticeship program. This position involves direct engagement with the newcomer clients through facilitation of employment-related workshops that address Canadian workplace culture and job search practices, individualized coaching tailored to the unique needs of newcomers, and close collaboration with settlement service providers, employers, and program partners to support client success from intake through to sustainable employment.
These are your responsibilities:
· Lead the recruitment process for OBTP clients, ensuring outreach and engagement strategies actively target newcomer populations and align with program goals and funder expectations.
· Plan, schedule, and coordinate all elements of the intake process, including assessment sessions, shop day experiences, and applicant interviews.
· Select suitable candidates for participation in program based on funder criteria and individual qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive process.
· Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date applicant tracking systems, ensuring accurate documentation of intake, assessment outcomes, and selection decisions
· Prepare and manage program acceptance materials, ensuring timely collection and submission of all entry documentation, including funder-mandated forms, educational records, identification, etc. and completion of Common Assessment Questionnaire
· Respond to program-related inquiries in a professional and timely manner, providing clear and accessible information to prospective and current clients, particularly those new to Canada who may be unfamiliar with Canadian systems.
· Lead the onboarding process for new students, including the delivery of first-week information, orientation to instructors and program structure, and collection of all required preliminary forms.
· Facilitate workshops on employability topics such as Employer Expectations, Resume Writing, Interview Skills, Job Searching, Apprenticeship Process, etc., and ensuring content is adapted for newcomers and addresses Canadian workplace culture, credential recognition, and job search strategies.
· Tailor workshop content to meet the needs of newcomers and individuals with diverse employment backgrounds, applying a culturally responsive and settlement-informed approach.
· Provide ongoing one-on-one coaching and engagement with students throughout the program and post-completion, helping to establish employment goals and develop customized job search plans.
· Deliver employability coaching aimed at enhancing workplace readiness, self-marketing, and integration into the Canadian labour market.
· Conduct follow-up with graduates in alignment with funder and Employment Services requirements, tracking outcomes and offering continued support as needed.
· Partner with the Workforce Development Specialist (Job Coach) to identify and secure appropriate work placement and employment opportunities for participants.
· Collaborate with the Mental Health Specialist to support student well-being, with particular attention to settlement stressors, cultural adjustment, and barriers faced by newcomer clients.
What you need to bring to this job:
· Diploma or degree in a related field. Suitable educational equivalents may be considered for individuals with 5+ years of highly related experience in a similar role within a workforce development setting.
· Minimum 3 years’ experience working with employment counselling, case management, mental health counselling/coaching, addictions and/or crisis intervention.
· Experience working with adults from culturally and socio-economically diverse backgrounds, including newcomers, youth, OW/ODSP recipients, and multi-barriered clients; Preference will be given to those with EO experience.
· Experience supporting individuals with securing employment or apprenticeships in the skilled trades is a strong asset.
· Knowledge and experience with Motivational Interviewing, Solution-focused Counselling, and the Common Assessment Tool and/or similar model for conducting intake assessments.
· Demonstrated ability to work in a target driven outcome-based model; accountable to achieving monthly targets.
· Strong knowledge of job search techniques, career development, and issues relating to unemployment; within the skilled trades an asset.
· Professional and cooperative teamwork approach, positive attitude, excellent customer service skills.
· Ability to deescalate situations where clients may be acting in a negative or inappropriate manner.
· Knowledge of case management including local resources and access to services.
· Excellent skills in client assessments, crisis intervention skills, and client advocacy skills
· Strong written and verbal communication skills.
· Strong attention to detail with the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
· Highly skilled using MS Office 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook), social media platforms and career-related software.
How to apply:
At Centre for Skills, we offer a competitive compensation package and benefits. We value flexibility and the need to achieve a work-life balance. All employees receive above industry average time off, including vacation time, sick / wellness days and personal days. We promote and support continuous learning, providing our staff with training to develop skills, attend workshops and conferences. We are committed to supporting the growth of our staff and we take a team approach in all that we do. Contact us to learn more about why we’re sure you’ll love working at Centre for Skills!
Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to: [email protected]
Application Deadline: Open until filled
We thank all applicants for their interest in Centre for Skills, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Please contact us at [email protected] should an accommodation be required.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From $60,569.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
