Preliminary Program Workshop Highlights:

• Portfolios - Not Just for Artists Anymore
• Addressing Labour Market Needs Through Distance Learning
• Creating a Hospitable, Learner-Friendly Environment for All Adult Learners
• Get on Board
• Cyber-Couselling and E-Job Banks: Alternatives to Consider
• Internationally Trained Professionals: An Expert Panel

Luncheon Speaker:
Deb Matthews M.P.P. � London North Centre and Author of �Review of Employment Assistance Programs in Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program�

Special Presentation:
Ian Levine � Pardons Canada

Early Bird Rates:
Register before February 1st 2005 and receive a discount
Registration Starts January 7th, 2005

Presented By:

Evan Carter

Many of today�s standup comedians make audiences feel threatened. Evan Carter is proudly not one of them.

Instead, he allows the crowd to sit back, relax and enjoy. Evan has the natural ability to touch many of the familiar bases in each of our lives. Past, present and future experiences are part of his comedic journey and he invites all of us along for the ride.

Evan spends a great deal of his time keenly observing the world around him. These basic subjects, along with Evan�s capacity to bend and twist our world to the comical side, allows him to present his views to any audience in a refreshingly clean and open manner.

The World According to Evan

Evan�s material is centered around his experiences as a husband, father, son and friend. His likes, dislikes, and especially what confuses him provide an endless source of material. So sit back relax and have a good hard laugh at life with Evan Carter.

A career portfolio may be your best personal marketing tool; at the very least, it organizes your job search. It also provides concrete examples of your skills, attributes, experience and achievements to form the basis of your resume, cover letters, and interview responses. Perhaps its most valuable contribution is to your self-esteem as you search for the �perfect career�. This workshop will examine portfolio content, formats and examples to demonstrate the value of a portfolio in an effective job search.

While fast growing employment sectors are facing labour shortages in many communities, few unemployed adults in these communities are accessing work opportunities in these sectors.

ONESTEP with the assistance of the Office of Learning Technology participated in a six month development phase project to discover how distance learning tools and technology could close the gap between these projected labour shortages and job seekers in three rural communities in Ontario.

Using this developmental phase as a case study, this discussion will focus on the goals, process, methodology, findings, and a description of the proposed pilot project.

In 1999 the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) in the U.S. conducted a benchmarking study of six post-secondary institutions that were highly focused on helping adult learners meet their personal, educational and career goals. The findings from the study were transformed into eight principles of effective practice for serving adult learners. They form the basis of an approach called the Adult Learning Focused Institution (ALFI). In 2002 an Institutional Self-Evaluation Workbook was published enabling institutions to assess their services using the eight benchmarks and performance criteria.

This workshop will provide an overview of the original benchmarking study and examine in detail the institutional self-evaluation process and tools. It will also outline a project funded by HRSDC, slated to begin early in 2005, which will test the institutional self-evaluation process in partnership with 15 Canadian post-secondary institutions and other adult learning organizations such as community-based employment services, labour unions and government agencies. Active participation and involvement by workshop participants will be encouraged.

Deb Matthews M.P.P. London North Centre, Parliamentary Assistant to the Honourable Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Community and Social Services and Author of the �Review of Employment Assistance Programs in Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program� will speak on this recent report.

As the future changes, so must we. When we are faced with increasing demands, changing labour markets and diverse needs of our communities, it is important and essential to embrace change and learn how to successfully navigate our way through times of transition. This energetic and inspirational session will discuss tips and tools for managing change, both personally and in your organization. Learn how to turn transitional times into times of opportunities for growth and development. This interactive presentation can help you to �get on board� and travel on that changing road ahead.

Learn how internet driven services can enhance your ability to connect to rural clientele. The first part of this session will demonstrate how the Job Boards System can assist employment seeking clients and employers looking to hire, while saving your staff time and increasing your community visibility. In the second part, you will learn about the challenges and successes in using Instant Messaging software in the counselling process.

The Job Boards System is a user and administrator friendly, locally focused counterbalance to the often intimidating large international job posting services. Currently in use in five communities, it has proven to be a reliable, effective means for both small agencies and large organizations to receive, manage and promote local job postings and/or volunteer opportunities.

Through a combination of interactive presentation and live demonstration, participants will experience the practicality, benefits and ease of use in working with an On-line Local Job Board and r�sum� database system.

In the second part of this session learn how Victoria County Career Services in Lindsay has, since 2002, implemented an electronic outreach component to the Job Connect program, in order to better serve rural youth in the City of Kawartha Lakes. In this session you will be provided with concrete insight on our experience using Instant Messaging software with clients. Topics will include: technical requirements, training, file sharing, chat and agency results.

This panel of experts in the field of Internationally Trained Professionals will provide participants with an exciting overview of the recent trends and opportunities available for New Canadians. As career counsellors, it is important that we become fully aware of the many ways in which we can assist Internationally Trained Professionals to be recognized, accredited and employable in today�s labour market. As this is one of the fastest growing trends in career counselling today, participants of this workshop will gain invaluable knowledge and an increased awareness of how to meet the needs of this client group.