Employment Specialist, Skilled Trades

Are you entrepreneurial, client-focused and committed to teamwork and excellence? Do you enjoy working with clients from diverse backgrounds? If you want to work for a recognized leader in career and workforce development, then consider a career with Centre for Skills Development!

Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, with locations in Oakville, Milton and Clarkson, Centre for Skills delivers high caliber employment services, language training & settlement services, skilled trades training and literacy upgrading. Providing people with opportunities to build a better future and making a positive impact on peoples’ lives is integral to the business of Centre for Skills.

For more information, visit: centreforskills.ca

Job Number: 458 Job Title: Employment Specialist, Skilled Trades Department: Employment Services Location: Halton 4 days per week and Virtual 1 day per week Start Date: July 2025 Hours of Work: Full-time (35 hours/week) Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm (with the ability to work evening shifts if required) Pay Rate: $33.28 per hour

The Employment Specialist, Skilled Trades role is responsible for providing individualized services to clients under the Foreign Trained Credential Recognition program, with the goal of achieving labour market attachment for clients entering the skilled trades and seeking opportunities to apprentice, and/or receive recognition for their skills and experience from their home country. The Employment Specialist, Skilled Trades provides clients with direct support to lay out the process for each skilled trade with the goal of the quickest route back to licensing and employment in their field. These are your responsibilities:

• Work with all clients accessing Employment Services in the FCR program, with the goal of meeting targets set by the Funder and/or the Coordinator.

• Use Common Assessment Tool to assess individuals’ Employment Service and Life Stabilization service needs.

• Pro-actively research the path forward for each foreign trained tradesperson in terms of the assessment of their credentials as well as the process of gathering the necessary evidence of work experience, and education/training to submit to the Ontario College of Trades.

• Stay up-to-date on trends, issues and opportunities in the skilled trades and the quickest route back to employment for foreign trained tradespeople.

• Assess clients to identify and prioritize activities and supports needed for each client’s successful transition into work using client-centric approach to tailor services.

The Opportunity

Embark on a Bright Future with Centre for Skills Development

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• Use the Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused counselling models to conduct meetings with clients to help them identify and clarify their work-related goals and develop individualized Employment Action Plan (EAP).

• Manage caseload, ensure timely case note entry, and maintain accurate data records.

• Follow integrated case management processes with Employment Ontario caseworkers both internally and externally.

• Coach clients on various topics related to job search, job retention, and career exploration, effectively moving through their Service Plans towards short-term and long-term employment goals.

• Assess financial and support needs that are barriers to employment to determine if client supports are appropriate; process expenditures as required.

• Maintain attendance documentation, program records and client files in a confidential manner, in accordance with relevant privacy legislation and ministry guidelines.

• Assist the team with grassroots marketing and outreach efforts on an ongoing basis.

• Represent the team at skilled trades/apprenticeship focused events and partnership meetings, both in person and/or virtually when appropriate.

• Collaborate with the Workforce Development Specialists to help clients make connections to employers.

• Refer clients to other suitable services in the community to meet their needs and track these referrals as per Centre for Skills standards.

• Research processes for foreign credential assessment and evaluations in various trades related career paths.

• Gather data and provide initial assessment of work experience and training to evaluate qualifications in Canadian labour market and trades related roles. Provide guidance back to clients in the creation of an Employment Action Plan.

• Ensure a solution-focused, client empowerment approach to service.

• Provide hands-on support to clients to conduct web-based job searches and LMI, research education and training options, and format job search documents.

• Facilitate workshops, presentations and information sessions virtually or in person on a variety of topics related to the foreign credential recognition process, apprenticeships, job search, interviewing, employment standards, etc.

• Survey clients to learn of their experience with the FCR program, with an eye towards continuous improvement.

What you need to bring to this job:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma o Career Development Practitioner diploma/certificate from an approved post-secondary institution;

or eligibility for CCDP certification considered an asset o Social Service Worker diploma/certificate or similar education/experience specializing in working

with foreign trained professionals

• An asset would be Career Development Practitioner training, counselling techniques, etc.

• 3+ years of highly related experience in a similar role within any of the following areas is preferred o Employment counselling or job readiness programming o Apprenticeship system and helping new graduates connect to career opportunities

• Understands and uses the principles and values of a person-centered approach, providing service through trauma informed lens.

• Comfort with delivering presentations and workshops in-person and/or virtually.

• Broad-based knowledge of current labour market trends and community services relating to skilled trades employment, training, job retention, foreign trained newcomers/ESL, mental health, disability, Ontario Works, etc.

• Proven ability to operate independently while demonstrating a high level of integrity and professionalism.

• Strong organizational and time management skills; able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills.

• Access to a reliable vehicle, possession of a valid driver’s license, and willingness to travel extensively throughout Halton, Peel and surrounding areas as required.

• Availability to work one or two evening shifts (11 – 7pm) per week as per the needs of clients and employers.

• General knowledge of workplace legislation and practices under ESA, OHSA and OHRC is considered an asset.

• Highly skilled and experienced using the MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook), internet search engines, video-conferencing and career-related software.

• Experience in the use of databases for clients and case management, activity tracking, case noting, etc.

At Centre for Skills, we offer a competitive compensation package and benefits. We value flexibility and the need to achieve a work-life balance. All employees receive above industry average time off, including vacation time, sick / wellness days and personal days. We promote and support continuous learning, providing our staff with training to develop skills, attend workshops and conferences. We are committed to supporting the growth of our staff and we take a team approach in all that we do. Contact us to learn more about why we’re sure you’ll love working at Centre for Skills!

Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to: resumes@centreforskills.ca Application Deadline: Open until filled

We thank all applicants for their interest in Centre for Skills, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please contact us at resumes@centreforskills.ca should an accommodation be required.

How to apply:

mailto:resumes@centreforskills.ca