Women and Trades in the Green Economy

Collage: Women and Trades in the Green Economy: Striving to Be Green All Year Round!
Credits: MS Office ClipArt - j0434449 + j0437324

2009 @ bizjunction.blogspot.com

I am sure there has been much discussion on the topic "How Women can fill the gap in the field of trades". Most definitely, industry forecasters acknowledge the current and ever growing the trade shortage. And, yes, it has been mentioned many times that more than half of Ontario’s skilled trades people will retire in the next 5 years and 4 out of every 10 businesses that depend on skilled trades are expected to face a labour shortage.

So, I ask the question: "Are you a woman looking at future jobs in trades?" Then, I would recommend you to research such occupations that embrace "the green economy". There is now a strong movement toward creating environmentally sustainable energy sources. With our current global financial crisis, it is even more crucial to be green! The colour "green" will pave the way for plentiful future jobs in trades.

For example, in the field of trades, the green movement will open up a lot of jobs for electricians, iron and steel workers, construction workers, and sheet metal workers. Construction workers in our greening economy will be able to get jobs retrofitting homes to make them more efficient. The biggest support for renovation and revitalization of construction jobs is the federal government offering a rebate for renovation, particularly with the emphasis on eco-retrofitters i.e. bumping up insulation, new tankless water heaters, etc… These two initiatives will offer more federal and provincial incentives for people to "go green".

Yes, indeed, money spent on retrofitting homes, and buildings will be a major economic driver for job development in the green economy. Some of the future plans for this green movement will include renewable energy tariffs, renewable energy goals for utilities /targets and the restrictions, and eventually the dissemination of new carbon emitting projects. All of these key objectives will push the government to develop more wind, solar and geothermal technology.

"Solar", "wind" and "sustainable energy solutions" are the hot words for the 21st century. As such, jobs in trades and professions will increase for water treatment; installation of solar energy systems i.e. installation of solar water heaters, reforestation, and cleaning up contaminated sites. Yes, indeed, the future of women in trades and in the green economy looks favorable.

For more research re: jobs in trades go to:

• Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program
• Possibilities: Skilled Trades Overview
• Apprenticesearch.com: Recruitment, Resources, Results
• CareerMATTERS: All Apprenticeships
• Ontario Job Futures: the current trends and future outlook for 163 occupations common to Ontario
• Second Career: A New Career, for Life
• ontariojobfutures.ca: Ontario Job Futures
• Jobboom Canada: Online job search

Copyright © D. A. Wright, June 2009. All rights reserved

Di Wright, B.A., Dipl. in Ad. Ed, Certified ESL Business Teacher, and Career Coach, Member of Career Professionals of Canada
Voice Mail: 416-208-3982
Website: diwright.info
LinkedIn: diwright
Blog: Communications and Career Coaching
Author: "Serendipity: A Journalling Workbook"

link:
Pursuit Of Employment: Is there an Art to Mastering Change?
by Di Wright

Toronto Innovation Forum June 16, 2009 Program "Opportunity, Creativity and Partnership"

Screenshot: Toronto Innovation Forum June 16, 2009 Program "Opportunity, Creativity and Partnership"
Credit: enterprisetoronto.com

Event Schedule

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Registration, Coffee and Innovation Showcase

9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Welcome Address – Councillor Mike Feldman (Council Chamber)

9:15 – 10:00 a.m.
Opening Keynote: Attracting Investment (Council Chamber)
Daniel Mothersill
President and Founding Member, National Angel Capital Organization
Distinguished Visiting Professor, Ryerson University
Director, Angel Network Program, Government of Ontario
A serial entrepreneur and Angel investor, Daniel has years of hands-on experience in industries ranging from telecommunications and green technologies to natural resources and IT. In the last decade, he has founded and financed several companies and spun off three of them as profitable enterprises. In his keynote speech, Daniel will teach you know-how in making a financing presentation based on the model that has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs in raising more than $2 billion in seed and start-up funding.

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Expert Panel: Commercialization Pathway (Council Chamber)
Academic, financial and consulting experts will explore the innovation commercialization process. This interactive discussion will address opportunity recognition, investment attraction, go-to-market strategies and professional support services.

Panellists:
Walter Derzko, Smart Economy; Author of "Hard Times, Golden Opportunities"
Scott Tanner, President, DVS Sciences Inc.; Chair, Ontario Chapter, Manning Innovation Awards
Jacoline Loewen, Managing Partner, Loewen & Partners Corporate Services Inc.
Oleg Amurjuev, Business Advisor and Coach, AOCS Business Consulting
Panel Moderator: Deepak Bajaj, Director, Industry Innovation, Seneca College

11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Break: Innovation Showcase and Networking
Please take this opportunity to visit the Innovation Showcase and meet experts from government agencies, investment organizations and leading service Providers.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Entrepreneur Panel: Meet the Innovators (Council Chamber)
A panel of entrepreneurs who have successfully commercialized their innovations will tell their stories and share valuable experiences. You will gain practical tips, hear about best practices and learn what it takes to become an innovation leader. Don’t miss this session!

Panellists:
Angella Hughes, President and CEO, Xogen Technologies Inc.
Stephen C. Wong, President and CEO, ESM Groups Inc.
Dmitri Nissanov, President, Antibex Software Inc.
Cameron Piron, Founder and President, Sentinelle Medical Inc.
Panel Moderator: Ed Hobbs, General Manager, Toronto Business Development Centre

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch Break: Innovation Showcase and Networking

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Expert Panel: Innovation, Government Services and You (Council Chamber)
Representatives from a range of organizations will tell you about government programs and resources that innovators need to know about.

Panellists:
John Tasopoulos, Account Manager, Business Development Bank of Canada
Dumitru Olariu, Business Development Officer, Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Neil Wight, Business Information Officer, Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
Yvonne Gruenthaler, Deputy Director, Investment and Innovation, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Angelo Del Duca, Director, Ontario Region, Industrial Research Assistance Program
Jose E. Costa, Manager, Business Development, Ontario Centres of Excellence
Panel Moderator: Sam Boonstra, Director, Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Breakout Workshops (Committee Room 1 to 5)
Choose from the following workshops delivered by industry leaders:

• Best Practices in Venture Creation (Room 1)
Veronika Litinski, Practice Lead, Healthcare and Life Sciences, MaRS
An overview of what makes your business valuable to investors and how to develop a viable business strategy.

• Intellectual Property Protection (Room 2)
James W. Carson, Lawyer, Blaney McMurtry
As a lawyer and a registered trade mark and patent agent, James will provide
you insider’s view on new development in Intellectual property protection.

• Government Programs for Innovators (Room 3)
Veronica Gareau, Regional Business Officer, Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
This session is your best source for government programs and services to support Canadian innovation and business.

• Attracting Angel Investors (Room 4)
Scott MacCannell, President of York Angel
Rob Koturbash, Managing Director of Maple Leaf Angels
Bryan Watson, Executive Director of the National Angel Capital Organization
The panel will share with you their most valuable insights on attracting angel investors by straight talking. Prepare your question well and get direct answer.

• Creating Ideas to Creating Wealth (Room 5)
David Burton, Founder of Centre for Creative Thinking; Author of "Creating Ideas to Creating Wealth"
As a veteran speaker, professional writer and ratio host, David will introduce his newest product at the Innovation Forum 2009 on creating ideas to creating wealth.

3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Facilitated Networking Session (Members’ Lounge)
Bring your business cards, interact with your peers and meet other entrepreneurs, potential clients and partners. Get high quality business leads and contacts by just being there! You will also have the opportunity to win valuable draw prizes.
Facilitator: Wendy Woods, Principal, Watershed Training Solutions

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Innovation Showcase (Members’ Lounge)
Dozens of innovations will be on display by inventors from Toronto and beyond. This is also the marketplace for innovators, investors and entrepreneurs to meet and network.