Webinar Description

Employment is a key aspect of settlement and integration for newcomers to Canada; however, a lack of language skills often serves as a barrier to gaining meaningful employment in a relevant field. This issue has become even more pronounced given the recent influx of refugees with low levels of English proficiency in British Columbia. With the changing demographic in language training classrooms, it is an opportune time to discuss best practices in employment and language training for low level English speakers to better support this emerging client base.

The purpose of this webinar is to showcase current innovative models of employment language training in BC, and answer three questions related to low level English speakers, specifically for the BC context:

• What are the primary concerns and issues that need to be addressed in employment language training for low level English speakers?
• What are the key drivers for success in current program delivery models in BC?
• What are best practices in employment training for low level English speakers?

This webinar is intended for instructors and staff from settlement and language organizations wanting to explore different models of employment language programming in the province of BC. The webinar will include information about how to structure and implement low level employment language training courses effectively, as well as practical tips and suggestions from experienced instructors.

Webinar and Registration Details

When: Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Time: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (PST)
Location: Online – a link will be sent out in advance to the webinar to all registrants
Cost:  $20.00 for non-AMSSA members; $10.00 for AMSSA members and Safe Harbour Affiliates
If your organization is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada you may be eligible for a further discounted rate, please contact us at 604-718-2779.
Registration deadline: November 14, 2016 at 3:00 pm
Register by clicking here.

Presenters

Katie Stevenson
Lead Teacher and Settlement Services Coordinator, Dawson Creek Literacy Society

Katie Stevenson is passionate about Settlement and Language, and thoroughly enjoys her role as Lead Teacher and Settlement Services Coordinator at the Dawson Creek Literacy Society. After earning her BEd at the University of Alberta in 2004 she worked overseas teaching a variety of subjects. She returned to Canada in 2006 and settled in the Dawson Creek area where she now resides with her family. In 2013 she completed her MA in Adult Education and Equity Studies and completed her TESOL certificate from Acadia University in 2015. She has one course left in the Essential Skills Practitioner Certificate from Douglas College and has found it extremely helpful in her teaching practice. She currently teaches the English Language for the Workplace class, as well as Beginner and Intermediate ESL at the Literacy Society.

Carole Taylor
Instructor and Coordinator for Essential Skill Programs, Dawson Creek Literacy Society

Carole Taylor has worked with the Ministry of Children & Family Services as a Financial Worker, with the local Dawson Creek School District coordinating the Secondary School Apprenticeship program, and for the past fifteen years with Northern Lights College in the capacity of Instructor and Coordinator for Essential Skill Programs. Carole retired from the college in June and is now working part-time for Dawson Creek Literacy Society coordinating the Essential Skills and Adult Dogwood programs. She is experienced in Essential Skills, TOWES assessments, and was also the primary coordinator and instructor on a variety of funded projects for Northern Lights College, such as the Work Essential Skills Inventory Profile, the Pre-employment Workplace Essential Skills program, the SkillsPlus Project Phase 1 – Workplace Essential Skills program, and the Workplace Training Program for Retail and Tourism.

Carole was born and raised in London, England and moved to Canada at 20 years old. She has been a resident of Dawson Creek for the past 28 years.

Brian Campbell
Facilitator/Coordinator, BCFED Health and Safety Centre

The BCFED Health & Safety Centre was first established in 2001 to help train workers and workplace representatives so they could act with confidence and competence on their considerable legal rights and responsibilities as provided by occupational health and safety law. For over 15 years now the BCFED Health and Safety Centre has supported the efforts of workplace representatives in their pursuit of hazard-free workplaces. This support has ranged from the development and delivery of occupational health and safety training to answering health and safety concerns posed over the phone.

Completely funded by the BC WCB, the BCFED Health & Safety Centre has evolved into a Centre of Excellence for Occupational Health and Safety training in British Columbia. They are now the largest Health and Safety education provider in Western Canada. In its efforts to remove traditional barriers to Health and Safety education, the Centre has developed programs for Occupational Health & Safety Committees, Young Workers, Immigrant Workers (ESL) and Migrant Workers.

Brian Campbell has worked at the BCFED Health and Safety Centre for 7 years. In that time he has trained thousands of joint health and safety committee members as well as overseeing the English as an Additional Language and Migrant Worker portfolios. Originally from Brandon, Manitoba Brian has been a proud member of the United Steelworkers for a very long time and worked for the Manitoba Federation of Labour and SAFE Workers of Tomorrow before coming to the west coast. He lives in New Westminster with his wife and two children.

Have any questions about the event? Contact Jennifer at 604-718-2780.