Success Story: Arnel Baquero
Arnel Baquero is a Civil Engineer from the Philippines. He arrived in BC in September 2007. Arnel has a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, 12 years experience as a Civil Engineer and 10 years as a Civil Structural Technician. He worked in his profession in several countries including the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
Arnel was introduced to Klein and Associations by his advisor at Vancouver Central College. At the time he met with a counsellor on December 11th, 2007 he was employed part time on a contractual basis with a company in the United Kingdom. Arnel's positive attitude, warm-heartedness, knowledge and work ethic made him an ideal candidate for ASPECT's IMMPowerBC Skills Connect Program. With some general upgrading of his technical skills and knowledge of BC standards, practices and workplace culture, the counsellor was confident that Arnel would soon be highly employable.
Together, Arnel and his counsellor drafted several revisions to his resume and cover letter until it was perfected in both their eyes. His counsellor also advised Arnel on how to develop a leads list, a portfolio, references, and how to make cold calls, leave English answering machine messages, as well as the follow up procedure.
Arnel's biggest challenge was the interview practice which he jokingly referred to as "like a course". Arnel and his counsellor shared many humorous moments from his crushing handshake to Arnel's belief that one must wear the color light blue to a Canadian job interview. Arnel's challenge was to overcome his hesitancy with using the English language so as to elaborate on his brief answers and be able to truly express his educational and vast employment experience. During the interview practice sessions, Arnel followed the counsellor's suggestions with patience and much effort and quickly developed a sense of a Canadian style job interview.
The Skills Connect Program also provided funding for him to complete an 8 week Certificate Program in Advanced AutoCAD, BC Building Code and Surveying which Arnel finished on March 18th, 2009.
"The Skills Connect Program is a very useful tool for immigrants who find it difficult to join the profession that they are accustomed to from their country of origin" Arnel says. "The upgrading is very helpful and the rigorous interview training are very effective, from the first handshake, the way and the timing you answer interview questions and up to the closing period of the interview proper - it's very amazing."
Arnel's successful result was achieved on May 15th, 2008 when he was employed as a Structural Drafter by AEROTEK at a starting salary of $40,000 per year. The day before the interview, Arnel emailed the news of his upcoming interview writing that he "would surely use the interview techniques that we had practised".
The next day, Arnel informed his counsellor that he had been offered the job and expressed his thanks for all the interview training. Moreover, a recent email from Arnel happily reported that he had received very positive feedback on his job performance from his senior Engineer. Arnel was confident that this would continue to help him develop a stable career in Canada in his chosen field.
Arnel has consistently expressed his sincere appreciation for the assistance from the Skills Connect Program. On June 14th, 2008 following the recommendation from his counsellor, he attended the seminar for Internationally Trained Engineers. After the seminar, Arnel expressed his delight not only with the valuable information that he received there but for the pleasure of being in the company of others like himself.
Arnel's final employment destination is to regain his position as a Civil Engineer here in Canada: based on his current employment status as a Structural Drafter as well as his increasing knowledge of the Canadian workplace culture, Arnel has the confidence that he will need to achieve his greatest employment goal.
IMMPowerBC Success Story: Carolina
Carolina came to Canada from Bogota, Colombia where she studied Social Work at the National University and later obtained a Masters degree in Human Resources. In 1998, after 10 years of working is this field, she decided to come to Canada to study English. Several years later, she immigrated to Canada to start a family and settled in Vancouver. Three years ago following a day trip to Nanaimo, she and her family decided to move to the Island.
Carolina began looking for work in her field, or work in which she could use her education and experience. However with a Masters degree from outside of Canada, and no Canadian experience, employers would not give her serious consideration. It was evident to Carolina that she would need to have her credentials evaluated to help employers understand the level of her education. Her Master’s degree was recognized with a first year post-graduate equivalency, but even still Carolina was unable to find work in her field. Her work consisted of a job as a part time sales representative for a national retailer, and the frustration set in.
Then Carolina was advised of a new employment program that was aimed at helping skilled and professional immigrants – BC Skills Connect for Immigrants. When she met with the Coordinator it was clear that Carolina was exhausted by what seemed like an endless, fruitless journey; she had all but given up. Carolina expressed doubt – how could this program make a difference?
The IMMPowerBC Job Coach understood this frustration and by working together she and Carolina were able to develop a plan unique to Carolina’s needs. Through personal assessments, confidence building, career exploration, understanding the local labour market, they utilized tools that would assist Carolina to see how she could align her skills with the needs of employers and the labour market. The wealth of experience she possessed was readily transferable and the highly motivated woman regained the energy to pursue her professional career in Canada.
With a goal clearly in her sight, skills upgrading opportunities were identified and Carolina began studies that would see her gain industry accepted Canadian certification. A work place practicum was arranged and Carolina was also matched with a mentor who could offer further support and insight. Several weeks later, a part time position became available with the practicum host and Carolina was well positioned to apply. With her certification in progress and now proven abilities, the employer had no hesitation in offering the position to Carolina.
“I enjoy my work as an Employment Advisor where I am able to use my Human Resources background and my own experience as an Immigrant in assisting newcomers with their job search. My interest in helping immigrants encouraged me to enroll in a Career Management Practitioner Program with an Immigrant Specialization. I hope to make a positive contribution to the lives of many immigrants.”
Vernon Youth Turns His Life Around Thanks to Trades Work Course
Eighteen year-old Chris Hunt of Vernon is a perfect example of how a simple opportunity made available at the right time can help turn someone's life around.
A graduate of the Connections Career Centre's Trades Work course in Vernon, part of the Community Futures Development Corporation of the North Okanagan, Chris said the five-week program had an immediate impact.
"It pretty much changed my life," he said. "It made me consider my lifestyle, stop being stupid and make changes."
To read the full story…
Love of Outdoors Turns into Full-Time Job
It wasn't the skills training, resume writing or interview techniques that helped Lisa Conkin the most on her way to a new career - it was something much more important: the opportunity to seek guidance and talk.
While the training aspect of her job preparation was important, what Lisa found invaluable was the support and sympathetic ear of Jeanette Karasiuk, an employment and career counselor at Employment Connections in Fort St. John.
"If it wasn't for Jeanette, I couldn't have done it," she says. "She was a fabulous person to talk to. I gained confidence talking to her - she helped me stay focused and find out which direction I should take."
To read the full story…
VIVRS Helps Nanaimo Man Get a Firm Footing on His Future
When Robert walked into the Vancouver Island Vocational and Rehabilitation Services (VIVRS) offices in Nanaimo last fall, it was really a case of tackling first things first. Robert had holes in his shoes and, with winter coming, his counselor Bud Rowarth didn't hesitate.
"Bud took me right to Wal-Mart and bought me a pair of boots," Robert said. "After that, a lot happened in a short period of time. The people at VIVRS were great - they said they would help me and they did."
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Work Experience Leads to Thriving New Business
For 34 year-old Devin Boquist of Richmond, going through The Transitions Program unleashed his entrepreneurial spirit.
"It instantly felt like a good fit," Devin said. "It helped me solidify my ideas and get going in a new direction."
Devin had worked in the trade show business for a number of years, working long hours for someone else's company. He knew he wanted some kind of change, but wasn't sure what his next step would be. He initially thought he would just look for another job, but the program gave him some other - and much more valuable - options.
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A Spicy and Fulfilling Future for Nelson Woman
Maria Christina Lidstone of Nelson went to the Kootenay Career Development Society (KCDS) during a transitional time in her life when she felt the need to explore what future direction she should take. As a result, Maria Christina learned she loves to work with her hands, and has found two very fulfilling job pursuits to follow.
"I wanted to start a new career, and I knew I was interested in working with people on an energetic level," she said.
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Richmond Mom Gets Back into the Workforce
When you've been out of the job market for a number of years raising a family, getting back into the paid workforce can be challenging. That's what Shabnam Khan of Richmond found when she wanted to find a full-time job after being at home with her two children, now aged 13 and 10, while they were younger.
"I had lost some of my skills," Shabnam said. "I needed help to get started again."
Shabnam went to the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) in Vancouver, where she got a hand getting back into the paid workforce through the PICS Wage Subsidy Program. "They helped me get organized, it was very helpful," she said.
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New Career Choice a Perfect Fit for this Exceptional Woman
By the time Lausanne Ham of Maple Ridge had graduated from the Resident Care Attendant program at Vancouver Career College, prospective employers were lined up waiting to offer her a job. "Everyone was fighting over her," recalls Employment Counsellor Julie Harkness of Bowman Employment, who worked with Lausanne to get her ready for the job market.
A conversation with Lausanne quickly determines why this is so. An energetic and positive woman, she and her family fled to Turkey from Iraq when she was just 18. Fluent in Arabic and Kurdish, as well as English, she had worked as an interpreter for many organizations including the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Her empathetic nature stems directly from the experience she had working with refugees in Turkey. A refugee herself, she nonetheless helped others during a very difficult time.
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Dynamic Resume Helped Job Hunt in Tight Job Market
Rauni Malenfont, 39, was shocked when she first moved to Nelson from Victoria and wasn't able to find a job as a dental receptionist. She had 12 years' experience, but a tight job market meant it was tough to land a position.
"There are only 13 dental practices in Nelson, compared to over 70 in Victoria," Rauni said. "There just weren't any openings when I moved here."
In May 2008, Rauni went to the Kootenay Career Development Society (KCDS) in Nelson for help.
To read the full story…
