Wednesday, June 30, 2010


VCCS Employment Services will be closed for Canada Day: Thursday July 1st
and will re-open Friday July 2nd 8:00am to 4:30pm

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Check Out What's Happening at VCCS this July 2010


Click the image below to see our Events Calendar for July. Most of the workshops we offer are FREE. To register please call 705.328-0180.


Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Renewable energy projects focus of upcoming meeting
Lisa Gervais, Lindsay Post

KAWARTHA LAKES - The first of six proposed renewable energy projects for the city will be presented during a public meeting on Wednesday, June 30 in Cambray.

SkyPower Ltd. is behind the Glenarm Solar Power Project, a 10 MV capacity facility in the Glenarm area. This project is not anticipated to create any of the controversy swirling about proposed wind turbines in the Pontypool and Bethany areas.

However, anyone interested in learning more about it can attend the meeting, between 6 and 8 p.m. at the Fenelon Township Community Centre, 2255 Elm Tree Rd., Cambray. According to the on-line description for the recent FIT-awarded project, the proposed site is 169 hectares on part of Lot 11&12, Concession 6 on private land. Construction could begin in August 2011 and take six to nine months to complete. The project has an expected life span of more than 25 years.

"Solar power derived from the sun will be used to generate electricity at the renewable energy generation facility," the company's website states. "The purpose is to supply solar energy to help meet Ontario's existing and growing electricity needs, and to address the consumer demand for cleaner energy sources."

It is expected that approximately 50,000 to 200,000 PV panels - ranging from 60 to 200 watts each - will be installed. They will be mounted to a ground racking system using galvanized steel support structures. Panels will be aligned in rows approximately 20 feet apart.

The company said there would be "minimal impact on the natural environment."
City residents are still awaiting word on five other projects: Simcoe Solar Energy Centre I and III in Woodville, Settlers Landing Wind Park in Pontypool, Snowy Ridge Wind Park in Bethany and Ballyduff Wind Farm in Pontypool.

How it works
- Photovoltaic panels will be the technology used to convert solar radiation into electricity.
- Direct Current (DC) electricity generated from the panels will be collected and converted into Alternating Current (AC) electricity by inverters. Solar panels create DC electricity which is then converted to AC electricity which is suitable for distribution.
- From the inverters, the electricity will be metered and transferred into the grid.
-lgervais@thepost.ca

Friday, June 18, 2010


The Good Food Box: Service Presentation
Monday June, 21st
10:00am
VCC Employment Services

A representative from the local Health Unit will be coming in to discuss to both staff and registered clients what exactly "The Good Food Box" program is all about. In today’s changing times, money can be tight but eating healthy is important to fuel your job search. The Good Food Box program is a promising way to meet both of those needs. For questions or to attend contact us at 705-328-0180.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

The Presentation Series for Adelaide Place Retirement Community was a Huge Success!

Yesterday was the final day for the series of presentations discussing the employment opportunities that will be available at Adelaide Place Retirement Community. Graham Bashford, the Executive Director of Adelaide Place discussed the specifics of the positions he will be hiring for, including roles and responsibilities as well as what he looks for in an applicant.


Bashford also discussed the milieu he plans to develop within the community as a place for seniors to "retire in style" at an affordable rate and stressed the importance of a strong and willing team. "Good fit in personalities is so important" Graham stressed.


The 4 presentations provided about 200 applicants the opportunity to hear from Graham and the VCCS team is very pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in the buzz around a viable addition to the local community.


For more information on how to apply to Adelaide Place contact us at VCCS Employment Services, 705-328-0180, or drop in and see us at 370 Kent Street West, Lindsay ON.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

We've Published Our May Newsletter.

See below to read one of the articles. Check out what else is happening with VCCS and the local employment market.
Click here to view the complete Newsletter.

The Job Market: Issues Facing the Older Worker

Unfortunately, bad things can and do happen and getting downsized, right sized or laid off, finding a new job after years of employment is a daunting task.

Statiscally speaking

The proportion of older workers in the Canadian work force is growing significantly. It is forecast that the population aged 45 to 64 will represent 48% of the working-age population by 2015.

Recruitment of younger workers is becoming more difficult, as employers are competing for a lower number of candidates

Studies show that most employers do not target older workers to fill their positions

The emerging large group of older workers who are unemployed initially entered the workforce by leaving school at 16 or by immigrating to Canada. Whether displaced, retired or downsized these individuals are finding that looking for work in these times has drastically changed.

A resume and cover letter are necessary tools. Basic computer skills are increasingly necessary as many postings are on various electronic job banks and resumes are mostly sent via email or downloaded on company websites.

This group is also learning that the skills that they are rightfully proud of - stability, working independently, and the willingness and ability to follow instructions precisely, while still important, have taken a back seat to what employers today consider as in demand skills coping with constant change, teamwork, continuous learning, and technological skills which were unknown a generation ago.

Older workers are also generally faced with the necessity of upgrading skills such as computers, completion of high school and in many cases post secondary education is required.

The other issue during times of economic downturn is that when looking for another position, the question is: What will get you in front of the interviewer? Many job seekers tamper with past experience and this could be a trap for both you and the employer. If the result is you do get the job, it could leave you bored or disgruntled after a few months. And for the employer, it is not a great scenario to hire someone who is overqualified for the position only to have them jump ship as soon as the job market loosens. A different tactic is to create that new resume, making it clear exactly what you are looking for. Use all of your experience to tell a prospective employer why you will make his/her operation more successful
VCCS Employment Services Annual General Meeting

June 23rd 2010 at 3pm

Friday, June 4, 2010

Canada ‘pumping out jobs,’ according to employment numbers
Emily Mathieu Business Reporter
Toronto Star

Employment was up across Ontario last month, with a reported increase of 18,000 full time positions and growth for the year reported, slightly higher than the national average.

Statistics Canada’s latest Labour Force Survey showed the boost in May brought employment gains in the province of 127,000 since July 2009, or an increase of 1.9 per cent compared to national growth of 1.8 per cent. In Ontario the unemployment rate edged up 0.1 per cent in May to 8.9 per cent overall, the report showed.

Across the country employment was up 25,000 in May, the fifth consecutive month of reported employment gains. The unemployment rate was static at 8.1 per cent. Since the beginning of July 2009 national employment has risen 1.8 per cent or 310,000.

“Canada’s recovery has outperformed expectations with the labour market pumping out jobs at a healthy clip as the economy grew at a stronger-than-expected pace in both the fourth quarter of 2009 and first quarter of 2010,” said Dawn Desjardins, assistant chief economist of RBC Capital Markets.

Canada’s unemployment rate will continue to drift lower, but will likely remain above pre-recession levels as workers “who became discouraged during the economic downturn, return to the labour force,” said Desjardins.

The majority of May’s overall growth was among women aged 55 and older, with a reported increase of 17,000. Since July 2009 the fastest rate of employment growth has been documented among men 55 and older, with an increase of 5 per cent with women in the same age group coming second with a reported in crease of 3.1 per cent.

Average hourly wages during the month rose 2.4 per cent, following a trend in recent months, according to the report.

The number of full-time positions were up 67,000 in the month and were partly offset by losses of 43,000 part time jobs. Full time employment has made up the majority of gains since July 2009, the report showed.

In the private sector the number of employees rose 43,000 in May, adding to a total increase of 2.8 per cent since July 2009 with most of the gains in recent months.

The number of self-employed workers dropped 28,000. Since July the number of self-employed Canadians has dropped 2.3 per cent, while employment in the private sector has increased by 2.2 per cent during that same period.

Gains were reported in transportation and warehousing, up 26,000; health care and social assistance, up 18,000; public administration and agriculture, up 13,000 and 9,000 respectively.

Declines were recorded in information, culture and recreation, down 25,000; accommodation and food services, down 22,000; and a decline of 11,000 in natural resources, the report showed.
Manufacturing and construction showed little change in May, the report showed. Since July 2009 an increase of 7.3 per cent, or an increase in employment of 83,000, has been reported in construction.

Alberta, Newfoundland, Labrador and Nova Scotia all reported gains, while declines were reported in British Columbia and Prince Edward Island.

Across the country, employment for women between the ages of 25 and 54 has risen by 1.7 per cent and 1 per cent for men, since July 2009. During that same period youth employment rose 1.6 per cent.

Because the majority of youth employment takes place between May and August an accurate assessment of the youth labour market will not be available until later in the summer.

However, the report showed a 54,000 increase in employment among students aged 20 to 40 in May, boosting the overall employment rate up 3.1 per cent to 59.2 per cent compared to May 2009,the report showed. Despite the gains the student employment rate remains below the rate of 63.6 per cent in May 2008.

In May, Alberta reported gains in employment for the second month on a row, up 15,000 and lowering the unemployment rate to 6.6 per cent. Overall employment across the province has gone up 0.5 per cent since July 2009.

In Newfoundland and Labrador employment was up 7,600, with the overall unemployment rate down 1.2 per cent to 13.8 per cent.

Nova Scotia reported an increase of 3,500 people employed, bringing total growth since July 2009 to 1.5 per cent.

Quebec reported little change last month in employment, the unemployment rate was 8 per cent, the report showed. Since July 2009, employment growth in Quebec has been the fastest in the country, at 2.3 per cent. In British Columbia employment dropped 10,000 and Price Edward Island reported a decline of 1,900 in May.

Thursday, June 3, 2010


This SATURDAY VCCS Employment Services is OPEN!

Make use of our Resource Room Services Saturday June 5th from 10:00am to 1:00pm

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Private security firm hiring for G8/G20 summits
The National Post, Kenyon Wallace

Private security firm Contemporary Security Canada has announced that it has been awarded the contract to provide “security screening services” for June’s G8 and G20 summits.

The Vancouver-based company has taken out ads in Toronto publications encouraging individuals to apply for G8/G20 security positions that pay between $20 and $24 an hour. The ads also promise uniforms, meals and benefits.

Interviews are being held at the Humber College School of Performing Arts starting today until June 7.

Contemporary Security Canada was selected by Public Works and Government Services Canada and the RCMP to provide security during the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The company’s website says that close to 5,000 people were hired to provide security at the games, including First Nations, students and retired police officers and firefighters.

The value of the contract to provide security during the G8/G20 summits has not been disclosed.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Restaurant, gas station planned for Pontypool
Lisa Gervais, Lindsay Post

A new restaurant, convenience store and gas station is planned to open in August at the site of the former auto shop on Pontypool Road.

The Kawartha Lakes Rd. 12 development is the brainchild of long time Pontypool resident, Roy Gaynor.

Gaynor told the post it would be an “ultramodern, full facility.” The plan is for a Country Style donut outlet and an XTR Gas station with gas and diesel as well as convenience store. Gaynor is building the facility but plans to lease it out.

He is banking on the venture saying there are not many service stations en route to Lindsay and Peterborough once motorists depart gasoline alley. He anticipates getting a lot of vehicular traffic coming north off the 401 as well as a lot of Peterborough motorists coming off of the 115.

He said the local response to the project had been “more than favourable. Everybody is anxious for it.”

It hasn’t been an easy street for this development. There have been a few planning and rezoning headaches as the property, at 232 John Street, is in the Oak Ridges Moraine.

However, Gaynor was recently successful in getting the Holding symbol from schedule “A” of the moraine zoning by-law 2005-133 removed.

“We’re building it,” he said.