Engineers in short supply; Health linked to job aspirations; Immigrant mentoring program gets corporate boost; Manitoba firms recognized for inclusive efforts; Toronto lowers taxes to stem job loss; Where hockey players come from; Cash for hiring IT grads
Engineers in short supply
Hamilton — It will be a sellers’ market for the engineering profession for the next few years, a new study reports. About 70 per cent of 760 Ontario organizations that employ engineers said they plan to hire in the next year and 62 per cent predict they will hire over the next three years. The survey, by McMaster University in Hamilton, found 60 per cent of firms need mechanical engineers, followed by electrical engineers (46 per cent), software (27 per cent), computer (26 per cent) and chemical engineers (25 per cent). Researchers say the strong recruitment plans indicate firms are looking for engineers to lead innovation and growth through product development.
Health linked to job aspirations
Toronto — University graduates who can’t find a position that matches their educational level report poorer health, a study by the Institute for Work and Health shows. Researchers, who looked at the health of more than 4,000 working Canadians, conclude there is a health benefit attached to the sense of self-esteem and mastery of skills that comes with achieving career goals.
Immigrant mentoring program gets corporate boost
Toronto — The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, which is working to integrate much-needed skilled professionals into the labour force, received a $540,000 donation from the TD Bank Financial Group towards its mentoring partnership program. Launched one year ago, the council’s mentoring program has matched 400 mentors and mentees, resulting in a job placement success rate of 70 per cent. As a corporate participant, TD has seen 32 of its employees volunteer as mentors.
Manitoba firms recognized for inclusive efforts
Winnipeg — The Manitoba Business Leadership Network has honoured three companies for breaking down employment barriers for people with disabilities. Canada Safeway Ltd., which has worked with disability agencies to fulfil its own diversity mission statement, was recognized in the large employer category. Winnipeg-based bus manufacturer New Flyer Industries was honoured for introducing low-floor transit buses to North America. And Hi-Way Esso of Brandon was recognized in the small business category.
Toronto lowers taxes to stem job loss
Toronto — Worried about becoming a bedroom community for employers outside its borders, Toronto is reducing business taxes. Over the last 15 years, Toronto lost 100,000 jobs while other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area gained 800,000 jobs. With hopes of reversing the trend, Toronto will reduce businesses’ share of the tax burden to 45 per cent from 60 per cent by 2020, while residential taxes will increase.
Where hockey players come from
Kingston, Ont. — Smaller cities are more likely to produce the National Hockey League’s on-ice workforce, new research from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont., shows. Cities with populations under 500,000 produce 33.2 per cent of Canadian professional hockey players, although they only account for 13.3 per cent of the overall population. Cities between 50,000 and 100,000 present the best odds of achieving a professional career. While 33.2 per cent of Canadian men were born in cities of more than 500,000 people, only 15.7 per cent of players come from cities this size.
Cash for hiring IT grads
Ottawa — The Software Human Resource Council is restarting its wage subsidy program that offers IT employers assistance with hiring IT grads. The program, which will run from 2005 to 2008, offers up to $10,000 annually per employee. For more information contact (613) 237-8551 or [email protected].
Hamilton — It will be a sellers’ market for the engineering profession for the next few years, a new study reports. About 70 per cent of 760 Ontario organizations that employ engineers said they plan to hire in the next year and 62 per cent predict they will hire over the next three years. The survey, by McMaster University in Hamilton, found 60 per cent of firms need mechanical engineers, followed by electrical engineers (46 per cent), software (27 per cent), computer (26 per cent) and chemical engineers (25 per cent). Researchers say the strong recruitment plans indicate firms are looking for engineers to lead innovation and growth through product development.
Health linked to job aspirations
Toronto — University graduates who can’t find a position that matches their educational level report poorer health, a study by the Institute for Work and Health shows. Researchers, who looked at the health of more than 4,000 working Canadians, conclude there is a health benefit attached to the sense of self-esteem and mastery of skills that comes with achieving career goals.
Immigrant mentoring program gets corporate boost
Toronto — The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, which is working to integrate much-needed skilled professionals into the labour force, received a $540,000 donation from the TD Bank Financial Group towards its mentoring partnership program. Launched one year ago, the council’s mentoring program has matched 400 mentors and mentees, resulting in a job placement success rate of 70 per cent. As a corporate participant, TD has seen 32 of its employees volunteer as mentors.
Manitoba firms recognized for inclusive efforts
Winnipeg — The Manitoba Business Leadership Network has honoured three companies for breaking down employment barriers for people with disabilities. Canada Safeway Ltd., which has worked with disability agencies to fulfil its own diversity mission statement, was recognized in the large employer category. Winnipeg-based bus manufacturer New Flyer Industries was honoured for introducing low-floor transit buses to North America. And Hi-Way Esso of Brandon was recognized in the small business category.
Toronto lowers taxes to stem job loss
Toronto — Worried about becoming a bedroom community for employers outside its borders, Toronto is reducing business taxes. Over the last 15 years, Toronto lost 100,000 jobs while other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area gained 800,000 jobs. With hopes of reversing the trend, Toronto will reduce businesses’ share of the tax burden to 45 per cent from 60 per cent by 2020, while residential taxes will increase.
Where hockey players come from
Kingston, Ont. — Smaller cities are more likely to produce the National Hockey League’s on-ice workforce, new research from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont., shows. Cities with populations under 500,000 produce 33.2 per cent of Canadian professional hockey players, although they only account for 13.3 per cent of the overall population. Cities between 50,000 and 100,000 present the best odds of achieving a professional career. While 33.2 per cent of Canadian men were born in cities of more than 500,000 people, only 15.7 per cent of players come from cities this size.
Cash for hiring IT grads
Ottawa — The Software Human Resource Council is restarting its wage subsidy program that offers IT employers assistance with hiring IT grads. The program, which will run from 2005 to 2008, offers up to $10,000 annually per employee. For more information contact (613) 237-8551 or [email protected].
