M2P News
BOMA Toronto's Conservation and Demand Management Program benefits from internationally trained talent
Latest hire found through Toronto and Region Conservation's Mentoring to Placement (M2P) for Environmental Professionals Program
(Toronto, August 12, 2010) The Building Owners and Managers Association of the Greater Toronto Area (BOMA Toronto) Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Program has the Mentoring to Placement (M2P) for Environmental Professionals Program to thank for Nishat Afrin, its new Assistant Project Manager.
The BOMA CDM offices have been busy with incoming applications from those looking to take advantage of its incentive funding for energy conservation initiatives for building over 25,000 square feet in Toronto's 416 area code. The Assistant Project Manager has been able to contribute to an increased response time for applicants by helping process and test applications for validity.
Led by Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), the M2P Program is an Ontario bridge training program, funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. The program is helping 40 internationally trained environmental professionals to obtain mentoring, training, and employment opportunities in their field.
"We are very excited to partner with the BOMA CDM Program" said Yves Danteu, Program Coordinator, Volunteerism and Mentorship at TRCA.
Marisa Iorfida-Sdao, Senior Project Manager, Volunteerism and Diversity at TRCA, continued. "Bridge training programs help highly skilled newcomers to obtain the local knowledge, practice and networks they need to secure employment in their profession. We are pleased that organizations like BOMA Toronto are championing this diversity initiative by providing qualified professionals with work experience in their field."
BOMA CDM's partnership with the M2P Program comes at a time when a recent Toronto Board of Trade report (released June 10, 2010) calls into question the city's track record of immigrant integration into the workplace. The report claims the City of Toronto is losing out on billions of dollars - a main reason being that immigrants, with qualified international training and experience, are finding it difficult getting hired in their areas of expertise.
"We were excited to work with the M2P Program from the outset and our experience with it has been extremely positive, benefitting all parties concerned," explains Bala Gnanam, Project Manager of the BOMA CDM Program. "When you put energy conservation in a global context, we need people of diverse skills, experiences and perspectives in order to effectively take on the challenge. This partnership offers that, and it provides highly skilled individuals the opportunity to develop skills in Ontario. We are happy to be working with TRCA through its M2P program and play a small role in contributing to energy conservation in Ontario," added Gnanam.
"As a M2P program participant, I attended several workshops arranged by TRCA, which helped me to understand Canadian workplace culture and network in my professional field," added Afrin. "My placement with BOMA was possible due to the diligent effort and dedication of TRCA's M2P Program coordinators and BOMA's interest and willingness to hire internationally trained professionals. My experience with the BOMA CDM Program has been great in that it offers me the opportunity to apply my skills and help further my career."
For more information about BOMA Toronto's CDM Program, visit http://www.bomacdm.com or email info@bomatoronto.org
For more information about Toronto and Region Conservation visit http://www.trca.on.ca/ and the M2P Program, visit http://m2p.trca.on.ca/ For media inquiries please contact Rowena Calpito, Supervisor Media Management at (416) 661-6600 ext 5632 or rcalpito@trca.on.ca
For more information, contact Bala Gnanam, at (416) 440-0101 or bgnanam@bomatoronto.org
The BOMA Toronto CDM Program has been contracted to deliver electricity conservation to the Ontario commercial real estate market as part of the Ontario Power Authority's larger plan to deliver 6300 megawatts of electricity reduction in Ontario from various sources. The available incentives capped at 40% of the eligible projects costs are designed to maximize owner and tenant participation by ensuring all 'process' and 'contractual' requirements are simple and the delivery of incentive payments quick.
Program plants seeds of diversity
By LINDA WHITE, SPECIAL TO SUN MEDIA
14th October 2009, 3:45am
Majari Mehta arrived in Canada from India two years ago armed with a PhD in seed technology and several years' experience as a research associate under her belt. Today, she's gaining experience that she hopes will plant the seeds of success here.
The Mentoring to Placement for Environmental Professionals (M2P) program is a bridge training program led by Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). It's designed to help internationally trained environment professionals land work in their fields.
"Many internationally trained professionals are highly skilled and often motivated to make a valuable contribution to their field," says TRCA's Marisa Iorfida-Sdao, senior project manager, volunteerism and diversity.
Participants must bring a minimum of a bachelor's degree in their field.
"Often, they're faced with a number of barriers, such as language and culture, lack of Canadian work experience and foreign credentials not being recognized," Iorfida-Sdao says.
The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration helped launch the program, which is designed to help newcomers overcome such barriers through three components:
* A mentoring placement that pairs them with a professional in their field for up to six months,
* Technical and soft skills workshops specific to their profession,
* A three to 12-month paid work placement with a host organization.
"Mentoring provides the participant with access to professional networks, helps improve their communication skills, provides them with labour market information and helps them make informed choices about employment," Iorfida-Sdao says.
Through workshops, participants learn how to prepare a resume and develop interviewing techniques and job search strategies. "It helps them translate what they have into the Canadian context," Iorfida-Sdao says.
Finally, the work placement helps them gain relevant Canadian work experience while making contacts and building networks.
In return, M2P helps host organizations promote more inclusive work environments and attract talent that can give them a competitive edge in a diverse and global economy, Iorfida-Sdao notes. "Newcomers can help Canadian companies effectively compete in a global economy. (This program) also helps them fill labour gaps."
Mehta is eager to work in her field. Through M2P, she has helped TRCA map an urban forest study, and collect data for trail density and stream surveys.
"Now I am comfortable with the Canadian workplace," she says. "I built up my courage and strength with the help of this program."
For Lionel Normand, a terrestrial biologist with TRCA since 1993, being a mentor to Mehta has been a rewarding experience. On one occasion, he was happy to reassure her that it is culturally acceptable to express her opinion.
"When I told her that her opinion is valuable, I could see her confidence increase, which may have a positive impact in an interview," he says. "I benefited by helping someone realize their potential, removing some of the external barriers. I find that very satisfying."
M2P APPLICATIONS
Applications for the Mentoring to Placement for Environmental Professionals (M2P) program are being accepted until Monday, Oct. 19. Applicants must have a background and experience in environmental planning, ecology, terrestrial or aquatic biology, or green building technologies. Learn more at www.trca.on.ca/m2p.
LINDA.WHITE@ROGERS.COM
DANIELLE MILLEY | Sep 10, 2009 - 11:33 AM | InsideToronto.com/News |
Mentors help foreign professionals find green jobs
Environmental network aims to bridge gap for newcomers
Yves Danteu knows firsthand the benefits of a professional mentor and now he's behind a program that will help other new Canadians get into the environmental field.
Danteu is the program co-ordinator for volunteers and mentorship with Toronto and Region Conservation. He is part of a new program to help remove barriers faced by newcomers. TRCA has launched the new Mentoring to Placement for Environmental Professionals Program, which will offer a mentorship component and a paid work placement for 40 internationally trained environmental professionals.
Danteu is originally from Cameroon and came to Canada after working in Geneva, Switzerland. With a background in environmental science and international policy, he had problems finding work in his field in Toronto.
"At the beginning it was really hard to get information or an interview or even a volunteer opportunity," he said.
He became a part of TRCA's Environmental Volunteer Network where he was matched with a mentor who helped him understand the field in Canada, including how it was more locally focused. Through volunteering and his mentor he was able to get a job with the TRCA working with the Network, but that wasn't the only positive outcome of the relationship.
"My mentor is now a friend," Danteu said. "That's a pretty amazing thing."
He's hoping the 40 people accepted into the program have as good an experience with their mentors as he did.
The idea for the program stemmed from the increasing interest in the Environmental Volunteer Network. Of the 2,000 people registered, nearly 50 per cent were new Canadians, many of whom were trained professionals.
"They were also looking for rewarding work opportunities to get back into their field," Danteu said.
Led by the Network, the program offers three main components: mentorship, technical and soft skills workshops, and a three- to 12-month paid work placement with a host organization. It targets the environmental sector and provides 40 internationally trained environmental professionals with experience in one of four fields: environmental planning, terrestrial or aquatic biology, ecology, and green building technologies.
"Toronto and Region Conservation has been providing green jobs for more than 50 years, and we've found that there is a current skills shortage," said Marisa Iorfida-Sdao, senior project manager, volunteerism and diversity at TRCA. "There's an untapped pool of talented, internationally trained environmental professionals out there with diverse skills in their field, but their lack of Canadian experience and networks are common barriers for finding a job in their field. The workshops and mentoring relationship will allow the participant to get the support and guidance from environmental professionals who can then help them improve their local knowledge, build new networks and open doors to employment opportunities where they can make a valuable contribution to their field."
The program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration as part of its investment in bridge training programs throughout the province. Danteu said it could run again in the future, though this round could last for two years.
"The idea is maybe to reshape it next time based on our experience to make it better," he said.
Danteu is pleased to be a part of the project.
"I'm very happy to know it's going to help 40 people get their foot into the environment field," he said.
The application deadline is Monday, Oct. 5. To be eligible a candidate must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in their field and three years relevant work experience outside of Canada. The M2P Program is delivered in partnership with Skills for Change and ACCES Employment Services. For more information, visit www.trca.on.ca/m2p
MEDIA RELEASE
NEW Bridge Training Program LAUNCHES FOR INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS
-Toronto and Region Conservation Launches Mentoring to Placement for Environmental Professionals (M2P) Program-
(TORONTO, AUGUST 31, 2009)- In today's tough economy, finding meaningful employment can be a difficult task for internationally trained professionals new to Canada. To help remove barriers faced by newcomers, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) is launching the Mentoring to Placement for Environmental Professionals (M2P) Program. The program is funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, Ontario Government as part of its investment in bridge training programs throughout the province.
"Ontario's investment in internationally educated environmental professionals will help them get the experience and knowledge they need to work in Ontario. That means a better and safer environment for our families and future generations," said Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Chan.
The M2P Program targets the environmental sector and offers a mentorship component followed by a three to 12 month paid work placement for 40 internationally trained environmental professionals in the fields of environmental planning, terrestrial or aquatic biology, ecology, or green building technologies. Application dates are August 31 until October 5, 2009. For more information about the application process please visit our website at www.trca.on.ca/m2p
"Toronto and Region Conservation has been providing green jobs for more than 50 years, and we've found that there is a current skills shortage," said Marisa Iorfida-Sdao, Sr. Project Manager, Volunteerism and Diversity at TRCA. "There's an untapped pool of talented internationally trained environmental professionals out there with diverse skills in their field, but their lack of Canadian experience and networks are common barriers for finding a job in their field. The workshops and mentoring relationship will allow the participant to get the support and guidance from environmental professionals who can then help them improve their local knowledge, build new networks and open doors to employment opportunities where they can make a valuable contribution to their field."
The program is led by TRCA through its Environmental Volunteer Network (EVN) and offers three main components: a mentorship, technical and soft skills workshops, and a three to 12 month paid work placement with a host organization. Since 2002, TRCA has been working to assist thousands of newcomers arriving in Toronto each year adjust to a new country and locate a position in the environmental sector through a variety of programs including the Professional Access and Integration Enhancement Program for Environmental Engineers and the EVN.
Eligibility criteria for the M2P Program includes: a minimum of a bachelor's degree in their field, and three years relevant work experience outside of Canada. For a complete list of criteria please go to: www.trca.on.ca/m2p. The M2P Program is delivered in partnership with Skills for Change and ACCES Employment Services.
Toronto and Region Conservation
With over 50 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) helps people understand, enjoy and look-after the natural environment. Our vision is for The Living City®, where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature's beauty and diversity. For more information, call 416-661-6600 or visit us at www.trca.on.ca.
For media information, contact:
Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Media Management, Toronto and Region Conservation
Tel: 416-661-6600 ext 5632, E-mail: rcalpito@trca.on.ca
