JEFF HARPER/METRO HALIFAX
MAKING THE GRADE
Cameron DeBaie teaches his class at Saint Mary’s Elementary School in Halifax. Young or old, education is important to everyone with plenty of issues and stories to be told.
Monday, March 31, 2014
INSIDE: A 16-page feature examining the state of education in Halifax and what’s ahead for students Actor portrayals.
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MAKING THE GRADE
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What’s inside
Exploring the benefits of French immersion Page MG4
Technology can offer benefits in classroom Page MG6
Cameron DeBaie teaches his class at Saint Mary’s Elementary School in Halifax. jeff harper/metro halifax
How to choose between college or university Page MG8
Networking remains key for jobseekers Page MG11
‘We’re constantly improving’ In his own words. Metro talks shop — and gym, and math — with Halifax Regional School Board chair Gin Yee
geordon omand For Metro
As roles evolve, so should lifelong learning Page MG12
With nearly a decade on the Halifax Regional School Board, Gin Yee has an insider’s perspective on education in Nova Scotia. The thriceelected member and current school board chair spoke with Metro about his view on the province’s education system and his forecast for its future. Metro: What’s really working well with education in the province?
Why it’s important to educate our educators Page MG15
Gin Yee: I think what’s working well overall is that we’re constantly improving. You look at what staff’s been doing, look at the achievements of our students — they’re al-
School system by the numbers
• Primary to Grade 9 schools: 9 • Junior/senior high schools: 3 • Senior high schools: 13
As the largest school board in Atlantic Canada — operating on a budget of around $400 million — the Halifax Regional School Board serves nearly 50,000 students at nearly 139 schools. Below is a breakdown of the school system by the numbers, according to the most recently-available statistics (Sept. 30, 2011):
STUDENTS (approximately) • Primary to Grade 6: 25,000 • Grades 7 to 9: 11,000 • Grades 10 to 12: 13,000
SCHOOLS • Elementary schools: 86 • Junior high/middle schools: 28
STAFF • Total: 9,000 • Teachers (Full-time equivalents): 3,800
ways improving. If there’s a bump we stop and we look at the situation and try to resolve it.
Gin Yee
M: What are the biggest challenges in education in Nova Scotia? GY: The biggest challenge I see is finances. We always
have a hard time getting enough money to support the system, number one. And number two: Making sure the funding that we do have is spent in the right places. Making sure that the majority of funding — which it is, but we can do better — goes directly to the classroom. M: How has the school system been responding to changes in modern society and incorporating new technology?
The new ways of teaching our subjects is exciting, says Halifax Regional School Board chair Gin Yee (below left). Pressmaster/SHUTTERSTOCK
GY: We always try to add money to the budget to provide more computers to our students, so that’s always a constant. You look at legislation: The cyberbullying law. That didn’t occur when I was in high school in 1995. Of course, bullying has always occurred in schools, but in relation to computers that’s new and the previous government tried to address that.
M: Where’s education going in the next 5, 10, 20 years? GY: I think in the future, it’s just how we teach. The tools we use to teach are changing constantly. For example, teaching math is quite different than when I was in high school. The new ways of teaching our subjects is exciting. * This interview was edited for brevity.
MAKING THE GRADE
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Freeman’s high hopes In-depth review. Goal is to help the province identify strengths, shortcomings jennifer taplin For Metro
Her in-depth review into Nova Scotia’s education system has barely begun, yet Myra Freeman has already received 75 submissions. And that’s even before submissions have been requested. Last month, Freeman and five other panelists with diverse backgrounds, were tasked with examining any and all issues — good and bad — with the public education system.
An online survey and a call for submissions starts in April, but already the high public interest is showing. “Everybody is extremely interested,” Freeman said. “No one was even asked. They had to seek out ways to get it to us.” The unsolicited response is encouraging and she hopes the interest will continue to grow when the panel puts out the call for submissions. “We welcome as much as we can get because the more information is imputed to us, the more we can comprehensively deal with the area,” Freeman said. Freeman made it clear that her opinion, and those of her fellow panelists, carry no more weight than any submission they receive from the public. The panel exists to
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Details
• The panel plans to present their findings to Education Minister Karen Casey in October • Freeman worked as a teacher for more than 25 years and was lieutenant governor from 2000-2006
Myra Freeman, along with five other panelists, has been tasked with examining any and all issues with the public education system. Daily news file photo
collect the common themes, investigate, and submit recommendations. “We’re all very eager to learn about the issues from others here in the province, and then we’re saying this is an issue that has come forward, what are people doing about it elsewhere? Who has handled this in a different
way? That’s where the expertise will come.” Education Minister Karen Casey said there hasn’t been a review of the education system for 25 years. She calls it a clean slate. “It gives everyone in our community an opportunity because if people believe there are things we are do-
ing well then we need to know that and if there are things they think need to be changed, this is their opportunity to get that message through to the panel,” Casey said. It would be impossible to implement all the changes immediately, Casey said, but the final report will give the
province a sense of direction and goals. For now, Freeman isn’t narrowing the review down to any specific issues in education. She said the overall goal is to help the province identify the education system’s strengths and shortcomings to better prepare students for post-secondary institutions, their jobs, and life in the 21st century. “We will do the best we can do and it will be dependent on the response from Nova Scotians and then it goes to the minister.” Casey plans to compose an action plan based on the review and could implement changes as early as September.
Education Minister sees more options and opportunities
Education Minister Karen Casey. jeff harper/metro
It doesn’t take Education Minister Karen Casey very long to think up a great success story in public education. In the 2006-2007 school year, a new options and opportunities program was introduced in 27 high schools across the province. It was designed to solve several problems: lack of skilled trades workers, lack of vocational schools, and students who were struggling with academics and needed a different path. The program offers students skills courses in school, but also through community and work placements. “It’s been very successful
What are the challenges?
• Casey said math scores for Nova Scotia students aren’t where they should be and she wants to provide more support for teachers and students, as well as do a
and allowed us to move to the next step to develop skilled trade centres in some of our high schools,” Casey said. “That’s been one of the greatest successes because for a number of years, students when they graduated really didn’t have any choice but to
better job of providing for the needs of all students in a diverse classroom. “How we do that, and what resources we have, is a challenge,” she said.
go on to university or join the workforce. We wanted to give them another option.” Students can take courses in business education, hospitality and tourism, IT, trades and technologies and several others. It means students can achieve a skill set before they
leave high school and also get a leg up on an apprenticeship. This school year, over 2,300 students are participating in the options and opportunities program in 58 high schools. Casey said more high school come on board each year with the goal of the program being installed in every high school in the province. Also, Casey said she is looking into a new way of funding school boards instead of solely by enrollment. “To fund totally on enrollment was a disservice to students and I put a stop to that,” she said. Jennifer taplin/for metro
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Big renos for Halifax schools Three schools will be finished with their extensive face lifts this spring, and another four brand-new schools will be taking shape in next few years. Four years in and over $10 million spent on each, construction on Dartmouth High and Prince Andrew High will be completed in the next few months. Atlantic Memorial-Terence Bay Elementary School is being renovated extensively and that work will also be wrapping up soon. A Dartmouth primaryGrade 9 school replacing both Prince Arthur Junior High and Southdale-North Woodside Elementary will be completed by 2016. Also coming by 2016, a new, long-awaited high school in Eastern Passage. A south-end Halifax elementary school will replace LeMarchant - St. Thomas Elementary in 2017. Jennifer Taplin/for metro
MAKING THE GRADE
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Public or private?
Or homeschool? Parents face the quandary of choosing the ‘right’ education for their kids geordon omand For Metro
Parents face important decisions all the time, but few have as long-lasting an impact on a child’s development as choosing their education. Nova Scotia offers three principal schooling streams — public, private and homeschooling — each with its own particular merits. By far the most popular option — at least in terms of enrolment numbers — is public school. According to figures from the province’s department of education, the vast majority of Nova Scotia’s K-12 kids — more than 120,000 — attended public schools in 2012-13 The public system is an “equalizer for students,” according to Gin Yee, chair of the
Halifax Regional School Board. “We don’t provide barriers,” said Yee. “Wherever you live in Halifax or Nova Scotia, the public education system is there for you.” Still, a sizeable group — nearly 3,500 in 2012-13 — opted for private schools, such as King’s-Edgehill School. Located in Windsor, N.S., King’s-Edgehill is the oldest private school in the British Commonwealth outside of Britain, according to the school’s headmaster, Joseph Seagram. “The public school system might for some children absolutely be the best choice,” said Seagram, who has headed King’s-Edgehill for the past six years. “(But) what the private education system allows you to do is to customize that education.” That same reasoning is echoed by parents who choose a third teaching stream available in Nova Scotia: homeschooling. “(Education) is such an individualized thing,” said Lesley Neily, first chair of the Nova
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A look at the numbers
• In 2012-2013 more than 120,000 kids attended public school. • Close to 3,500 attended private school. • Around 900 children were homeschooled.
Scotia Home Education Association. “What it boils down to is we (as parents) feel we’re better equipped to meet those needs.” By the province’s estimates, about 900 children were homeschooled in 2012-13. According to Neily — who homeschools her three school-aged kids — parents may choose to home educate for religious, ideological or pragmatic reasons, or because they feel a home-tailored curriculum can better cater to a child’s learning interests. “I don’t think there’s one way that’s right,” she added. “It really is about the individual.”
The majority of kids in Nova Scotia attend public schools. Pressmaster/SHUTTERSTOCK
French immersion. An option for every child Pauline Anderson For Metro
Little Adam is turning five soon, so it’s time to decide whether to put him in French immersion now, later, or not at all. The Halifax Regional School Board offers early French immersion beginning in Grade Primary and late immersion that starts in Grade 7. Both programs continue to Grade 12. Despite an overall decline in student enrollment in Halifax and elsewhere in Nova Scotia, the numbers for French immersion remain stable, according to Susan MacDonald, director of French Second Language Program Services at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. About 12 per cent of all students in the province — around 15,000 — are enrolled in French immersion. Immersion has a number of advantages. It offers kids the chance to become functionally bilingual and may give them an edge in future career opportunities. The program has no long-term impact on academic
Halifax Regional School Board offers both early and late immersion. Ermolaev Alexander/SHUTTERSTOCK
achievement, and even children with a learning difficulty can benefit, as a problem with reading and writing will surface no matter what language is taught. In Halifax, a vibrant French speaking community provides a colourful backdrop. Immersion students work closely with local Acadians on various cultural projects, says MacDonald. Although parents don’t have to speak French for their child to flourish in immersion, many worry about being unable help their child with homework, but MacDonald is reassuring. “They can play a play a role
just by being enthusiastic and supportive about what their child is doing in school.” When considering early versus later immersion, MacDonald notes that early intervention may facilitate “spontaneity with the language”, but that the timing is an individual family decision. She adds that in Nova Scotia, core French is introduced in Grade 4, and at that point, parents may have a better idea of their child’s interest in the language and academic performance. MacDonald encourages parents to check out resources offered by Canadian Parents for French (cpf.ca).
MAKING THE GRADE
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Conseil scolaire acadien provincial Le Conseil scolaire acadien provincial est heureux d’annoncer l’ouverture prochainement d’une école élémentaire de langue française dans la région de Lower Sackville. L’école élémentaire Gertrude Parker deviendra la propriété du CSAP le 1er août 2014 et accueillera les élèves au niveau élémentaire des régions de Sackville, Fall River, Enfield, Mount Uniacke et Windsor. Tous les parents désirant inscrire leur enfant pour l’automne prochain sont priés de communiquer avec : • École Beaubassin au (902) 457-6810 ou • Diane Racette, directrice régionale – région centrale, CSAP, au (902) 433-7045
Reading aloud can help children to develop literacy skills. SHUTTERSTOCK
Impact of low literacy can be profound: Experts Definition. Canada’s understanding of what it means to be literate has evolved Geordon omand For Metro
The days are long past when literacy simply meant the ability to read and write. Canada’s understanding of what it means to be literate has evolved in the 21st century, and this new definition appears to have left Nova Scotia behind. According to the Dartmouth Learning Network, 38 per cent of Nova Scotians qualified as low literate in the latest Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies. “That means they lack the skills required to work in a knowledge-based economy,” explained Lesley Dunn, the network’s executive director. Quoted
“When you have a literate community you have a strong community.” Lesley Dunn, executive director, Dartmouth Learning Network
The Conseil scolaire acadien provincial is happy to announce the opening in September 2014 of a French language Elementary School in the Lower Sackville area. The present Gertrude Parker Elementary School will become a CSAP school to accommodate students at the elementary level from the surrounding areas of: Sackville, Fall River, Enfield, Mount Uniacke and Windsor All interested parents wishing to register their children for the fall of 2014 may contact: • École Beaubassin at (902) 457-6810 or • Diane Racette, Regional Director – Central Region of the CSAP at (902) 433-7045 L’élève, notre passion, notre avenir
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What parents can do
ABC Life Literacy Canada suggests participating in the following activities to develop literacy, numeracy, and other skills essential for success in school:
• Go on a counting walk to develop numeracy and observation skills. Take a walk and count specific types of items on porches, lawns, and store displays.
• I Spy, the game of observation, can be adapted for language patterns (… something that rhymes with cat), spelling (… something that starts with C), and other variations.
• Keep reading stories at bedtime and at other times. Encourage kids to read aloud too — take turns reading pages from favourite books.
Besides reading, writing and numeracy, those skills include problem solving, information processing, communicating and using technology. Based on the network’s analysis, Nova Scotia’s lowliteracy statistics varied drastically between regions, from more than 50 per cent on the Eastern Shore to the low 20s in south-end Halifax. A TD Economics report, released in late 2013, described the country’s performance in the literacy assessment as depressing. “Canada has an essential skills problem,” said the report. “(And it) has clearly not gone away. … If anything, we are heading in the wrong direction.”
News Canada
The impact of low literacy on one’s standard of living can be profound. “If you have low literacy your earning capacity is much lower,” said Annette Hegel, a spokeswoman with the Canadian Literacy and Learning Network. It impacts health, civic engagement and even the next generation, said Hegel. “How can you go and support your kids in education when you can’t participate in it?” she added. For Dunn, the campaign for better literacy is connected to democracy. “If the laws of the land are written, then everybody should be able to read and understand them without mediation,” she said.
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Crossing the digital divide Information overload? Technology can bring benefits and challenges to students’ critical thinking richard woodbury For Metro
Across the country, there isn’t a consensus on how technology should be used in the classroom with elementary and high school kids. While some schools are embracing it, others are resisting it, and others still fall somewhere in the middle. What does this mean for the future? Nobody is really sure. “It’s kind of difficult to see where it’s going exactly, but we have hints of it,” says George Gadanidis, a professor at the University of Western Ontario’s education department in London. For example, Gadanidis was recently in a Grade 3 classroom where a teacher
was making use of an interactive whiteboard, an online textbook and the students had laptops. The students worked in small groups doing computer programming which modelled what they were learning in math. While this highlights some of the benefits technology can bring into the classroom, it also has its drawbacks, including that students have trouble making sense of the vast quantity of information available. “There’s a lot of interest in critical thinking,” says Donovan Plumb, a faculty member of Mount Saint Vincent University’s education department in Halifax. By having strong criticalthinking skills, students will
Some Canadian schools have chosen to embrace technology in the classroom. metro halifax file photo
be able to assess the information, determine what is valid and process it into a neat and tidy package. Helping students process this information comes down to a matter of teaching meth-
od, says Cameron Montgomery, a professor in the University of Ottawa’s education department. “Explicit teaching is modelling an assignment for a teacher, breaking them into
groups, letting them experiment, testing that model and allowing students to independently do a similar assignment themselves,” says Montgomery. One benefit of technology
is it is allowing students at the high school level to take courses online and can allow them to tap into courses which may not be available in the traditional classroom setting where they live.
Social media. Teachers adapt to new technology jennifer taplin For Metro
As if the very act of imparting wisdom to children wasn’t hard enough, teachers these days have a lot more to deal with. The explosion of social media is bringing a lot of pressure to schools, says Shelley Morse, president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union. It makes teachers’ jobs more difficult because they’re tasked with investigating situations which are going on outside of school. “It’s hard to know what’s happening on the evenings and week- Shelley Morse ends,” Morse said. “When that’s brought to school, it takes a lot of time which should be placed on instruction.” Schools shoulder a lot of the responsibility for curbing cyber bullying, but the burden
Social media and cyber bullying can add a whole new element to the culture of a classroom. Syda Productions/SHUTTERSTOCK
should be shared with all the stakeholders in the community, says Morse. “We have to have policies in place to support the mitigation of bullying and cyber bullying but we also need parents working in the home and having consequences for their children to ensure they are using those devices properly.” Technology should have helped teachers with their workload, but Morse said the paperwork and record keeping teachers have to do is staggering. Many teachers feel they do more data entry than teaching, she added. Classrooms are now “diverse learning environments”
and children with cognitive, behavioural or social needs require individual learning plans. Balancing many adaptations can make it difficult for teachers to manage their time effectively, said Morse who taught in Kings County for 29 years. “They want to reach all students but when you have vast learning needs, that is not always an easy task,” she said. Another aspect that has changed over the years is parental support. Morse said many parents are involved in their children’s school life, but there are many others who don’t respond when calls are going home about homework or student behaviour.
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MAKING THE GRADE
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College or university? lee roman
Resources
For Metro
The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) offers a wealth of information about Canada’s universities. The AUCC’s database (aucc.ca/study) includes all university programs offered in Canada. The Directory of Canadian Universities (aucc.ca/dcu) includes information on scholarships, facilities, programs, fees and profiles of each of the 97 institutions AUCC represents.
Whether you’re a young student fresh out of high school or a more mature learner looking to update your knowledge, retool your skills and grow your experience, choosing the right post-secondary institution can be a tough assignment. With so many options out there — including university, and community and career colleges—where do you begin? Not sure? Here are some facts and tips that might help. Tip 1: Talk to a graduate Seek out recent graduates of the programs at both the college and university, and request an interview. Ask them about the learning culture (lectures, small group discussions or a combination
of both?), the quality of labs? Did they enjoy themselves there? Did they live in residence? Tip 2: Ask about online learning If you’re unable to leave
There are lots of resources available to help prospective students choose a post-secondary destination. LISA F. YOUNG/SHUTTERSTOCK
home for financial or other reasons, but still want to attend college and university, online courses might be for you. Many community colleges,
institutions and universities now include collaborative online learning as part of their offerings. Tip 3: Check out the rankings
It’s now common for magazines to publish studies ranking colleges and universities by comparing them in terms of their budgets, class sizes, and host of other data.
For example, Maclean’s University Ranking issue includes pages of charts, stories and advice designed to help students choose the right school.
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Want a job? University can still offer an edge pauline anderson For Metro
Private career colleges can offer more one-on-one time with instructors. Goodluz/SHUTTERSTOCK
The many benefits of private career colleges meg crane
All about PCCs
For Metro
When it comes to post-secondary education, it can be difficult to make the decision of where to go. Uncertain job markets may mean that even with a degree or diploma getting a job will still be a challenge. That’s why for many, private career college (PCC) is the best option. PCCs don’t just start training in January and September. There are many start dates throughout the year. And once in a program, students aren’t necessarily there for long hours every day for months. Compressed programs get students ready to start working in only a few weeks. Others have classes in the evenings so students are able to keep a day job. PCCs train specific skills in many fields, including business, health services, applied arts and trades. These programs are developed with input from
• At private career colleges students often graduate in less than a year
fax and more across Nova Scotia
• Curriculums are updated regularly as industries change
• Career management skills, such as resume writing and interview skills, are taught
• There are almost a dozen private career college Hali-
• PCCs hire people to help students find a job
people working in the field so students learn exactly what their employers want them to know. And the people teaching these courses usually have a wealth of experience in the field. Often they still work in the industry, so they know exactly what the job market looks like and what students need to learn. They can also give students a better picture of what life in the field will look like.
There’s the benefit of smaller classes and a lower student population on campus. Most classes have between five and 30 students. This means that students will get more one-onone time with their instructors and will get to know their classmates better. Find a full list of PCCs in Halifax on the Province of Nova Scotia’s website at novascotia. ca. The list includes contact information for each college and what programs each offers.
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A few decades ago, a university education was a ticket to job success in a booming economy. But now, some employers may be hunting for grads with more practical skills. Should kids today skip university and head straight for a diploma, or is a higher education that teaches critical thinking still a priceless investment? No matter which way you cut it, any education beyond high school is important in terms of job prospects. The 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) found that 64.1 per cent of all jobs, and 77.2 per cent of highly skilled jobs, in Nova Scotia are filled by those with post-secondary credentials, says Ted Vaughn, spokesperson for the Department of Labour and Advanced Education. University credentials may have an edge, however. A Council of Universities report found
that university graduates have the best employment rates and highest salaries, and are more likely to land a job in their chosen field compared to graduates of other post-secondary institutions. But success may depend on demand for your area of study. Today’s top job prospects in Nova Scotia are in Oceans technology, information & communications technology, financial services, aerospace and defense, clean technology, and life sciences. Degrees in these and other fields should come in handy in the future. Experts predict a dwindling Canadian workforce as baby boomers retire, with an anticipated shortfall of 1.5 million people by 2021 and 2.1 million by 2026. Major considerations for university are the time commitment and the investment. The average cost of a 4-year undergraduate degree in Nova Scotia is now $24,499, although this has actually dropped from $27,355 five
years ago. However, to ease the burden, the province has put a 3 per cent a year cap on tuition increases, has limited student debt, and is making more money available to students through grants, says Vaughn. It invests $30 million a year into a student bursary fund, an incentive that puts close to $1,300 back into the pockets of Nova Scotia students for each year of study. Universities are also making it easier to mix work with school by offering an expanding selection of online and distance education programs that students can complete at home. Plenty to go around!
Nova Scotia students can choose from 10 universities on 11 campuses — the most post-secondary institutions per capita in the country.
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Working with industry Mandate. Colleges aim to offer training that matches workforce needs mark spowart For Metro
Unlike in Ontario where there are number of different community colleges, that in essence compete with each other, in Nova Scotia, there is one main college that has campuses around the province. Nova Scotia Community College is one of two community colleges recognized by the government of Nova Scotia, the second is Nova Scotia Agricultural College. The province also recognizes close to 45 private career colleges. NSCC has five academic schools: Access, Applied Arts and New Media, Business,
Three choices
• Students in Nova Scotia who are looking to take their next step in education have one of three formal education streams they can select from: universities, community colleges and private career colleges. • There are eight universities, two community colleges and close to 45 private career colleges throughout the province.
Health and Human Services, and Trades and Technology. Those schools combined offer more than 100 programs at 13 campuses around the province. According to statistics the school released in October, the college had 10,866 students enrolled in certificate, diploma and advanced dip-
Nova Scotia Community College had 10,866 students enrolled for the academic year, an October report says. Monkey Business Images/SHUTTERSTOCK
loma programs for the academic year. “We are continually working with industry, government and our partners throughout Nova Scotia to ensure we offer training that matches the economic and workforce needs of the province,” said Bruce Tawse, vicepresident, academic. In keeping with the man-
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date of providing training to match the workforce needs of the province, the school recently announced a specialty program — Free Fall Lifeboat Training — for its marine students, and it is the only school in Canada to offer it. “Most new cargo ships, like tankers and bulk carriers, use this type of lifeboat,” said Vivek Saxena, nautical
institute chair at NSCC. While other colleges across the country offer davitlaunched lifeboat training, NSCC is the only college to offer free-fall lifeboat training where the lifeboat is located at the stern of the ship as opposed to along the sides. Free-fall lifeboats are quickly becoming the choice of many ship builders as they are
cheaper and often quicker to deploy. “As a result, the demand for training is increasing,” said Saxena. “All of our cadets will now receive marine emergency deployment training using both types of lifeboats. We will also use this new vessel to deliver survival craft training to the industry,” said Saxena.
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Networking. The real key to getting the job jason menard
Details
For Metro
Nova Scotia does a great job of training students to have the requisite skills once they’re in the workforce, but the missing link may be those all-important social skills that helps prospective employees and employers connect. “Students, coming out of post-secondary, they have the training, but they don’t have the understanding of how to apply their skills in the workforce,” said Phillip Cantrill, the lead workshop facilitator for Job Junction & People Consulting Ltd, an organization funded by Employment Nova Scotia. Cantrill said there’s been an attitude shift amongst applicants over the years, but the fundamentals of job hunting haven’t changed. “Some students need to understand that they have to start somewhere,” he said. “They’re not going to start as CFO — they have to work their way up. “The marketplace hasn’t changed. Networking is still go-
Nova Scotia resources for job seekers: • Job Junction (jobjunction.ca) • Start Program, an apprenticeship program to encourage employers to hire and train. (novascotia.ca/employmentnovascotia/programs/start. asp) • Careers Nova Scotia (careers.novascotia.ca) • Nova Scotia Community Support Groups (NSNet.org)
Networking can help you go above and beyond a resumé. PRESSMASTER/SHUTTERSTOCK
ing to get you a job.” Networking is key, he added, because almost four-fifths of the jobs out there never appear on job boards. Cantrill said schools need to do a better job
of training right from the start. “Where education has to switch is that they need to teach the networking component right from the start. It starts there and they’re learning life
skills,” adding that the ‘underground’ employment market has benefits for employers. “It’s logical for employers — you know the people already, you know their quality, and it
costs less than posting and hunting.” Job Junction hosts regular courses ranging from resume help to networking tips. Students are a large part of their
demographic, but they support anyone looking for a job. “[As a province], we spend a lot of money, time, and energy training students, then they get up and move out west,” he said. “It’s great if you’re looking at a commodity to export, but we need to keep some of this talent in the province — they’re our future.”
Students look for debt solutions jane doucet For Metro
Since the early 1990s, post-secondary tuition fees have increased well beyond the rate of inflation, and the cost of living is going up at roughly the same rate. That isn’t boding well for students or their debt load. “Students are carrying more debt and having a harder time paying it off,” says Gabe Hoogers, the national treasurer for the Canadian Federation of Students. According to the CFS, in September of 2010, the amount of student loans owed to the Government of Canada exceeded $15 billion — more than the debt of some provinces. That figure doesn’t include roughly $5 billion to $8 billion in provincial student debt or personal debts such as credit cards, lines of credit and family loans. For more than a decade, students in Ontario and the Maritimes have carried the highest average debt, averaging more than $28,000. Many potential students are reluctant to take on the required debt to pay for a college diploma or university degree. For those who do, student-loan repayment begins almost right after graduation, forcing graduates to make employment decisions based on what they can best contribute to loan repayment. This hurts the economy in many ways: Stu-
By the numbers
• Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada cites that 40 per cent of university students today graduate debt-free. Those with debt owe an average of $24,000, and 30 per cent of them owe less than $12,000. Over the past decade, governments and universities have taken measures to offset education costs for students with the most need.
dent loan obligations reduce the ability of new graduates to start a family, work in public service careers, buy a house, car and other assets, and build career-related volunteer experience. But there is some good news. “What happened in Newfoundland and Labrador is an example of what can be done,” says Hoogers. In 1999 students in that province successfully lobbied governments to freeze and reduce tuition fees, and in 2007 the provincial government implemented an up-front needs-based grant program. As a result, student debt in Newfoundland and Labrador has decreased significantly. “As citizens, we have a responsibility to point out to our governments that there’s a serious problem with the way post-secondary education is funded,” says Hoogers. “If we reach out to politicians, things could improve.”
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Emphasis on re-tooling
Continuing education. Focus now on learning specialized skills for evolving roles, requirements
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Fast-changing workplaces mean the education you got in your 20s is unlikely to stand up for a 40-year career, experts say. Christine Wilton, a continuing education program Great benefits
• Peggy Watts says some of the greatest benefits of lifelong learning are the ones you don’t plan for. “Learning opens the mind and can lead people down unexpected and exciting paths that enrich their lives overall,” she says.
manager at London’s Western University, says topping up your education can help you keep pace. She says it’s especially true for those in the “knowledge economy.” To figure out what education will best help you, Wilton suggests looking at postings for the job you want. “What kind of skills are they looking for? Is there a gap there?” Also consider what you can afford in time and money, as some courses take much more of both. If you’ve been out of education for a while, make sure you understand the commitment and the possible reward. It can pay off. “You open options up for yourself,” she says. Wilton says project management is a popular upgrade now. The connections you make
Topping up your education can help you to keep pace, experts say. Monkey Business Images/SHUTTERSTOCK
with fellow students can pay off too. Peggy Watts, director of Mount Saint Vincent University’s distance learning and continuing education department, says in the 1980s, the focus was often on complet-
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ing degrees so students could get better salaries or return to the workforce. “While those needs still exist, there is now more emphasis on re-tooling and learning specialized skills for adapting to change and evolv-
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to the university, too. “Asking to speak to graduates of particular programs can yield information useful for deciding on a course of study. Online resources and networks abound and can be very helpful,” she says.
Balance. Budgeting time crucial for mature students Returning to education after a long gap can pose challenges for mature learners, says Jess Damery of the University of Ottawa. “Adults who are pursuing post-secondary studies for the first time struggle with some of the same issues as students who go directly from high school to post-secondary studies (e.g. time management), but these issues are often compounded by the fact that they have been out of a formal classroom setting for many years,” she says. Damery says many institutions try to meet lifelong learners halfway by offering some courses online, but that selection can be limited. Event info
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ing roles and requirements,” she says. If you’re upgrading to stay in the same company, Watts suggests talking to your supervisors or the human resources department to see what they’re looking for. Talk
• Stephen Lewis will address the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education in Halifax this June. The AIDS activist will speak about the role lifelong learning has to play in the wider world. The conference runs June 4-6.
Many institutions try to meet lifelong learners halfway by offering some courses online, but that selection can be limited. Creativa/SHUTTERSTOCK
“Students can choose to study undergraduate programs on a part-time basis,” she says. That applies to some undergraduate and graduate programs. Gordon Michael of Saint Mary’s University’s continuing education department says budgeting time is crucial if you’re balancing studying with work and family. “See if the courses are available when you can actually take them,” he says. If it’s an awkward time, you’ll need to see if you can get off work for it. “We offer courses that are off campus,
in Dartmouth and downtown Halifax, and in the evening and lunchtime so people can try and go to those,” he says. Michael notes you should estimate how much work will be required outside of the classroom and ensure your schedule has space for it. “If you’re switching from science to business, it’s a totally different ball game. You have to think that through and look at the workload,” he says. Talk to your company, he says, as they might be able to help you achieve your goals. jon tattrie/for metro
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Always look to upgrade your skills In today’s competitive job market, it pays to keep up with the Joneses — that is, if the Joneses keep honing their employment skills. “Professional development should be top of mind throughout your career because there’s always something new to learn,” says Kimberley Chesney, the founder and president of Prime Management Group Inc., an executive search and recruitment firm in London, Ont. If you don’t keep upgrading, you may be left behind — or out in the cold. “Someone with better skills could take your job,” cautions Chesney. If earning a master’s degree isn’t possible or necessary, there are many options, including webinars, online courses and industry-offered programs, many of which are free. Regardless of your sector or position, Chesney advises staying on top of the following: Leadership. From the receptionist to the CEO, leadership is a coveted skill. “That means you’re accountable for what you do and you have the organization’s best interests at heart,” says Chesney. Good leaders communicate well with everyone, from the customers to the boss. Check your local chamber of commerce and industry association for leadership programs. Education. Many employers look for candidates with a double degree, such as engineering and accounting. If earning a second degree or diploma is too daunting and expensive, take part-time courses or workshops at a local community college or online courses or webinars. Technology. Since social media has become so prevalent, you must stay on top of it, whether it’s posting a profile on LinkedIn or updating your company’s Facebook page or website. “You need to learn how to leverage social media effectively and use it to your professional advantage,” says Chesney.
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Keep up with tech for real job success Adapting. As the labour market shifts, understanding new technology will keep you in demand peter doyle For Metro
The keys to a successful career in today’s rapidly shifting labour market are flexibility, persistence and an ongoing commitment to learning, particularly when it comes to new technologies. “Every technology — whether it’s a hammer or a smartphone — is only as valuable as the person’s ability to use it well,” says Jeff Leiper, vice-president of the Information Communications Technology Council (ICTC). “For an organization or company to benefit fully from new technologies, their workers must at least be comfortable using them, and ideally, they should master them.” ICTC is a not-for-profit organization that conducts research, and develops and implements solutions to help Canadians take advantage of the digital economy. Once of those solutions is providing courses in new technologies, such as cloud computing, data analytics and mobile communications. The courses help address a key challenge: ensuring that companies — particularly small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) — can lever-
Changing market
The job market in Halifax, like the city’s economy, continues to diversify. Demand for skilled trades is expected to remain strong, driven largely by traditional sectors such as shipbuilding and construction. The financial services and retail sectors expect to experience labour shortages during the next couple of years.
age technology to maximize productivity and profits. “An indication of the problem is that fewer than half of all businesses in Canada have websites,” says Leiper. “In this day and age, websites are a basic tool for nearly every business.” It’s not enough for a company to build IT expertise in a group of workers, such as an IT unit. “People will find innovative ways to use new technologies only once they’re comfortable with them,” says Leiper. “The more people in a company who are comfortable with smartphones, for instance, the more likely they’ll find innovative ways to use them and, in the process, increase productivity.” Innovation is particularly strong in the emerging field of data analytics — mining data to identify trends and patterns of value to an organization. According to ICTC, Canada faces an acute shortage of data analysts — jobs that require a mix of technical and creative abilities.
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Office culture of learning linked to performance
Career tips Julianne Ross Brooks, who manages the Halifax office of Manpower, offers these four tips for career success: 1) Become a career entrepreneur. “It’s unrealistic to expect an employer, even if it’s a large and progressive company, to guide you along an appropriate career path,” says Ross Brooks. “You have to take charge.”
What does it mean?
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Company training and professional development programs can have a great impact on employee morale and corporate culture. “The workplace becomes more creative, innovative, productive and effective,” explains Isabel Feher-Watters from the Canadian Society for Training and Development (CSTD), of organizations that invest in staff development. The CSTD is a non-profit organization committed to promoting workforce learning and corporate training. Says Feher-Watters: “Whatever the organization’s goal, people who feel supported work harder. It makes for a better workforce and a more competitive country.” The CSTD’s acting president
• Professional development can mean informal learning, reading articles and books, conducting research, or working with a mentor or coach. It can also mean engaging in a classroom, workshop or webinar.
2) Improve your communications skills.
Company training and development programs can have a positive impact on employee morale.
also referred to a recent edition of the Conference Board of Canada’s Learning and Development Outlook. The report reveals that organizations with strong learning cultures have first-class employee performance; higher levels of customer satisfaction and provide higher quality products and services to their customers. Kate Wright, marketing and product development, Algonquin College, corporate
training, works with a variety of employers who recognize the value of upgrading their employees’ skills. Her department organizes employee training for the federal government, municipalities, the private sector and technology-based organizations across the country. “Employers approach us when they want to move forward with a piece of new legislation or a new knowledge area
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or hands on-skill,” explains Wright. “We do training with organizations on business analytics; propane tank training; health and public safety, everything from A to Z.” Feher-Watters notes that company orientation for a new hire “gets them comfortable and confident in the work they’re doing. It introduces them to the culture.” With continued opportunities for professional develop-
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ment “they’re more likely to stay because the company has invested in them. “If you’ve got good people, you can take them through the organization and develop them rather than bringing in someone new,” explains Feher-Watters. “Professional development within an organization is a way of helping employees to feel more valued as part of that organization.”
3) Brag a little. “Many Canadians are uncomfortable about discussing their accomplishments. You’ve got to make sure that prospective employers know how you’ve set yourself apart from your peers.” 4) Be proactive. “Technology has made many jobseekers lazy,” says Ross Brooks. “To stand out from the crowd, follow up with a phone call or handwritten note.” peter doyle/for metro
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Workshops. Educating our educators Research. The better educated teachers are about their field, the better students learn
By the numbers
• Professional development can raise students’ achievement by 21 percentile points • Across Canada there have been four to eight professional development days per school year since the 1970s
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Good teachers are the key to making sure the next generation goes into the world knowing everything they need to. That’s why it’s so important that we invest in teachers continued education through professional development days. Research indicates that the better educated a teacher is about their field, the better students learn. Colleges and universities simply can’t teach future teachers everything they need to know to be good educators, so teachers need continued education throughout their professional lives. This is especially true as technology, curriculum content, teaching methods and laws change.
A 2010 study showed North American teachers spend 20 per cent of their logged work hours out of the classroom. MICHAEL JUNG/SHUTTERSTOCK
Professional development, the only method schools have to increase teachers’ abilities, involves sending teachers to workshops and classes that help them with specific parts of their job. There are work-
shops to discuss properly teaching Aboriginal topics, explore new teaching methods and more. Less formally, it also involves talking with colleagues, watching how other teachers work, and reading and researching out-
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side of classrooms. A 2010 study by Stanford researchers revealed that North American teachers spend 20 per cent of their logged work hours out of the classroom. In Helsinki, Finland teachers spend about 40
per cent of their time meeting with students and other teachers, analyzing lessons and studying new teaching methods. Finland’s student aptitude rankings are near the top when put up against other countries.
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In the end, it’s not about how many hours students spend in class. It’s about the quality of the lessons they receive. So why can’t teachers do this on their own time? Teaching is a tough job. They’re essentially babysitting while shaping the minds of future generations. Teachers log in an average of 56 hours a week, according to the Alberta Teachers Association. At the end of the day, they need to rest to prepare for the following work day, not continue working in their off hours.
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