POSITION TITLE: Bridge-to-Work Specialists (Cybersecurity)
PROGRAM: Newcomer Cybersecurity Talent Pod: Building Ontario’s Inclusive Technology Workforce
LOCATION: 65 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, Ontario
REPORTS TO: Supervisor, Sustainable Communities
CONTRACT TYPE: Contract (Union)
HOURS: 35 hours per week (Monday - Friday)
HOURLY RATE: $ 27.00
EXTERNAL POSTING: April 20, 2023
START DATE: Immediately
END DATE: March 29, 2024
Located on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, Skills for Change (SfC) is working towards advancing the Sustainable Development Goals for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Named Charity Village's Best Non-Profit Employer - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and winner of the 2021 Canada Volunteer Awards for Innovation, our organization is committed to reducing poverty, improve mental health, eliminating gender-based violence, building community, eradicating systemic racism, and settling and creating sustainable communities for all immigrants, refugees, and underserved communities. Start your career with SfC and join our 40-year history of creating innovative programming to build welcoming and equitable communities.
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. We offer a range of accelerated programs including mentoring, employment, settlement, language training together with specialized programs for skilled trades, women, and youth. We have 5 locations across the GTA and serve 16,000 clients annually. We believe we are in the best position to provide thought leadership through evidence-based programming, impact stories and proactive policy advocacy using knowledge mobilization products.
PROGRAM NATURE AND SCOPE:
The Newcomer Cybersecurity Talent Pod: Building Ontario’s Inclusive Technology Workforce program will combine theoretical, vocational, technical and experiential education in preparing students to be work ready and will also provide employment support services including, counselling, mentoring, workplace preparation/job readiness and job placements.
The purpose of the program, is to help bridge the gap in addressing the labour shortage as well as the overwhelming need for more robust cybersecurity across our society. Delivery of this program will include sector specific training and information, referrals, skills assessments, career action plans, individual/group employment counselling, workshops related to workplace inclusion, mentoring, job search, job retention, job placement, and employer and employment supports.
IDEAL CANDIDATE must have:
• Ability to identify issues, needs, goal aspirations, skills, abilities, and services needed as well as barriers to accessing those services.
• Knowledge of the skilled trades sector and labour market trends and opportunities for newcomers in the sector
• Sensitivity to, and understanding of, issues and barriers to employment faced by women, immigrants, youth and other disadvantaged groups
• Demonstrated commitment to high standards of culturally sensitive service delivery within an anti-racist and anti-oppressive framework.
• Good organizational skills and ability to multitask in a quick paced work environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Demonstrated a high degree of initiative, risk management, time management and problem-solving ability.
• Intermediate to master level skills in Microsoft and Google Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• We encourage applications from candidates with lived experience similar to the clients we serve.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Bridge-to-Work Specialists will:
• Support the program implementation plan, including recruitment, intake, and other services.
• Network with community agencies and perform community outreach visits to promote and raise profile of Skills for Change and to promote the Cybersecurity program.
• Provide clients with information sessions on Skills for Change programs as well as all relevant resources and services available in the community.
• Conduct information sessions and intakes, provide one on one counselling support and guidance as well as develop client career action plans.
• Research and keep updated on labor market information related to Cybersecurity.
• Support clients with specialized needs and assist them to navigate their career transitions and address their barriers in achieving their career goals.
• Support clients towards their employment action plans, including job search preparation, understanding the labour market demands, managing their expectations, supporting their job search activities, assisting them to match resumes with job postings and prepare them for interviews, monitor their work placements, and support their job readiness and retention once employed.
• Conduct client referrals to appropriate wraparound supports/services to address their needs
• Facilitate classroom and on-line workplace preparation and essential skills workshops that include career planning, employer expectations, workplace empowerment and advancement, and gender-sensitive training Market clients to potential employers and help clients find paid work placements.
• Assist employers in developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements.
• Conduct site visits assessing the appropriateness of the workplace and the capacity of the employer to provide a positive experience and work-related training.
• Liaise with partners to develop and support clients through the training and placement.
• 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 both from an employer and client perspective.
• Follow up with 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 etc.
• Conduct outreach in the community to promote Skills for Change programs and services.
• Work as part of the agency and Sustainable Communities teams to ensure smooth delivery and coordination of services to clients.
• Support with the facilitation of employment workshops (classroom and online) at Skills for Change sites and in the community.
• Provide staff backup support as required within teams, partners and agency locations.
• Maintain positive professional relationships and communication links with public and other relevant community resources
• Participate in the agency distribution, collection, and analysis of participant surveys and other evaluation and tracking procedures.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of service delivery and present solutions to enhance services on an ongoing basis.
• Handle additional tasks as required by the Supervisor and/or Associate Director, Sustainable Communities.
• Participate in all meetings as required.
SKILLS, EDUCATION & ATTRIBUTES:
• Degree in Social Work, Career Counselling, or related fields required; a tech background would be an asset.
• Minimum 3 years of experience providing wrap-around supports, job coaching and counselling for women, youth, newcomers and immigrants, and individuals in receipt of social assistance required
• Demonstrated experience and passion for training and employment as it relates to the cybersecurity sector.
• Minimum 3 years of experience providing wrap-around supports, job coaching and counselling for women, youth, newcomers and immigrants, and individuals in receipt of social assistance required.
• Experienced with building relationships with employers to establish placement and employment opportunities.
• Knowledge and understanding of adult learning principles.
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with the cybersecurity labour market information and the provincial licensing requirements.
• Knowledge of all community resources that can support multi-barriered jobseekers, in order to provide the necessary guidance and referrals.
• Excellent employment counseling and facilitation skills.
• Excellent verbal, written communication and customer service skills.
• Excellent teamwork and positive attitude towards change.
• Strong problem-solving skills and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team in a diverse, dynamic, and fast-paced work environment.
• Second language is considered an asset (French, Hindi, Farsi, Arabic, Pashto, Yoruba, Swahili, Ukrainian, Chinese etc.).
• Ability to work occasional flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Proficiency in Windows, Google Suite, MS Office, ability to deliver PowerPoint presentations Knowledge of Salesforce and EOIS-CaMS is an asset.
• Position may require occasional travel.
PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO: hr@skillsforchange.org
