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Career Edge Blog

Sep 13
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Developing a Gen Y Coaching Culture

By Employer

From the insights we blogged in our summer series of Gen Y (millennial) research findings, we have continued to endorse coaching as a powerful way to facilitate the professional growth of Gen Y or Millennials who are new to the Canadian workforce. But are there any specific approaches to mentoring Gen Y workers? What can Canadian employers do to effectively retain and develop this non-homogenous group of ambitious, tech-savvy employees?

Our Vice President, Donna Smith, knows firsthand the positive effects that come from coaching. Donna has lead numerous workshops on developing a coaching culture in organizations, becoming a subject matter expert and thought leader in the field. We sat down with Donna to get her top tips on managing the expectations of new Gen Y employees through effective coaching and onboarding strategies.

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Aug 16
Love4

The Driven Generation – Part II

By Jobseeker

Last month we shared some of the most recent findings and  insights from our perennial Gen Y research, identifying that Gen Y workers at the early stages of their career have set their sights on quickly becoming managers while taking a collaborative and social approach to their projects. Although this strong desire for upward mobility is palpable, the results of our research also suggest that there are two distinct camps within Gen Y workers when it comes to career progression:

  • paying your dues
  • aggressively climbing the corporate ladder

But regardless of the approach that Gen Y takes to career advancement, they realize that they can’t do it alone. Over 90% of Gen Y workers recognize on-the-job training, knowledge sharing, and networking as being important or very important in supporting the achievement of their career goals. However, we were surprised to see that fewer (77%) see having a coach or mentor as a valuable contributor to professional growth.

Coaching has been a critical element of Career Edge Organization’s internship model for the past 16 years. We know that coaching is an effective way to support recent grads as they transition from an academic environment to the Canadian workforce. Therefore, we continue to encourage employers and Gen Y workers alike to participate in mutually beneficial professional coaching relationships.

We learned from our 2010 research that although Gen Y do prefer a social working atmosphere, they look to their coaches for professional guidance and feedback rather than friendship. The way we see it, a coach’s primary role is to leverage their existing knowledge and experience related to their profession and organization’s corporate culture and pass this information on to a colleague that may be new to the Canadian workplace. When it comes to their ideal type of coach, Gen Y told us that they look for the following qualities in a professional mentor:

We believe that coaching is a powerful way to support the integration of Gen Y/Millenials into the workplace. With the top five coaching qualities listed above, coaches and supervisors can maximize their Gen Y workforce while providing a supportive and professional work environment that allows Gen Y to learn, thrive, and contribute.

Next month, our Vice President, Donna Smith, will be sharing her Coaching Culture hints and tips to teach new coaches how to support Gen Y as they head back to work instead of back to school.

Do you have questions about coaching Gen Y? Let us know! Leave a comment here!

Jul 23
Love4

The Driven Generation

By News & Announcements

This past spring, Career Edge Organization’s VP, Donna Smith, presented the results of our third installment of Gen Y research at Workforce One-Stop 2012, a new event for employers and educators looking to leverage the skills and knowledge of workers joining an increasingly diverse Canadian workforce.

Building on two successful years of employer targeted Gen Y research, Donna’s workshop explored “twenty something” insights for employers, enabling them to better attract, retain, and develop young Canadian talent in their organizations.

Working with Angus Reid Strategies and Porter Novelli in 2009, our first installment of Gen Y research revealed that one size strategies do not fit all, as we identified four distinct segments of recent grads that each call for unique recruitment efforts. In 2010, our research drilled deeper to gain groundbreaking insights to find out what Gen Y look for in a “great place to work.”

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Jul 01
Love4

Canada Day: Another first for many newcomers

By News & Announcements

Last week, Career Edge Organization (CEO) attended the 2nd Annual Career, Education & Settlement Fair presented by Canadian Immigrant and Scotiabank in association with Centennial College.

At the fair, we met many newcomers and recent immigrants seeking job hunting tips, information about accreditation and upgrading of education, and additional resources to support their settlement in Canada.

For many internationally qualified newcomers that stopped by the CEO exhibitor booth, today is the first Canada Day that they will be celebrating since immigrating to Canada.

I got a chance to speak with Biju George, an internationally trained technical sales professional from India. With over 20 years of experience, Biju and his wife moved to Canada three months ago and are now in the process of settling in the GTA and laying the groundwork for a successful career transition.

Biju explained that he is looking forward to joining in today’s festivities, saying, “Having only moved to Canada within the past couple of months, my wife and I are looking forward to celebrating our first Canada Day by going to the Pride Parade and visiting High Park for the celebrations.”

We would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to newcomers like Biju, and wish a Happy Canada Day to everyone who calls this country home.

Jun 15
Love4

Introducing Toronto

By News & Announcements

Earlier this year, Rogers TV launched Introducing Toronto, a rich and informative weekly series that portrays the journey of recent immigrants who call Toronto home. The show presents the settlement and employment resources available to newcomers that can help them better integrate into Canadian society and its workforce.

In the fifth instalment of the series airing next Monday, June 18th at 8:30pm, Introducing Toronto takes a look at Career Bridge, an internship program that connects employers with internationally qualified newcomers looking to gain Canadian work experience that is consistent with their professional skills and expertise acquired outside of Canada. Next Monday’s show also focuses on Bike Host, an activity that introduces Toronto to newcomers via cycling. Lastly, Young Newcomers with an entrepreneurial streak get guidance from the Canadian Youth Business Foundation and Introducing Toronto discovers how a theatre program is helping youth to better adapt to their new city.

Click here for more information about Introducing Toronto!

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