PARTNERSHIPS
Fostering strong community partnerships underpins all of the work we do.
Without our partners in business, education and community services, the research we conduct would not be as relevant and as accurate as it needs to be to develop an effective and viable workforce. These strategic relationships enable us to conduct research, publish our findings, and execute community consultations and events.
Partner Recognition - Speechcraft 2010
Speaking confidently and clearly in an interview, in a business meeting or around the workplace doesn't always come naturally. It can be even more of a challenge if English is not your first language. To help newcomers improve their conversation and public speaking skills, we partnered with two local organizations to deliver a four-week "Speechcraft" workshop aimed at foreign-trained professionals.
Workshop Partners:
YMCA of Sarnia-Lambton
Lambton Toastmasters
Partner Recognition - The 2008 Ability First conference
For the second year in a row, we organized the Ability First conference, a business-to-business forum that explores the benefits and rewards of employing people with disabilities. Modelled after a similiar initiative in London, Ontario, the Sarnia Lambton conference brought together a panel of motivating speakers, recognized employers who have shown leadership in their hiring practices, and furthered the discussion of an Ability First Coalition.
Resources:
Conference agenda including motivational speaker profiles - 896 KB PDF
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Case study:
Way to Work
The challenge:
The retail, petro-chemical and health care sectors in Sarnia Lambton are facing labour shortages.
Our response:
Talk to Grade 12 students about career possibilities.
In partnership with local school boards and employers, a one-day conference for graduating workforce bound students was organized. Students became familiar with local employment support agencies, received consultation on effective job search strategies and heard first hand from employers what skills they need to be effective in the labour market.
Case study:
Mentoring young professionals
The challenge:
Young professionals want to achieve business goals more efficiently and more affectively.
The response:
Partner with the Young Professionals group and the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce to pilot a mentoring program.
The Chamber enlisted established business owners and entrepreneurs to mentor young professionals to achieve their action plans. Seven mentors and mentees have been successfully matched. Since orientation in December 2008, all mentoring relationships have been formally introduced and began meeting 4-6 hours a month in January. The program will run until June 2009 with each mentee having a unique goal and action plan they are trying to achieve.
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