Trades in the News

Early Childhood Educator (ECE) is recognized as a profession and is now regulated by a professional body. Unless exempted, ECEs must register and receive certification from the Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators, to use the title of early childhood educator or registered early childhood educator and to practise in the profession. This was mandated by the Early Childhood Educators Act in 2007. At the present time, a Certificate of Apprenticeship does not meet the criteria to receive a certificate of registration from the college. Once individuals have earned their Certificate of Apprenticeship they are encouraged to:

• complete the bridging courses to a diploma
• or obtain a letter of equivalency certificate
• or a recognition of equivalency certificate issued by the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario ( www.aeceo.ca) or L'Association francophone à l'éducation des services à l'enfance de l'Ontario (http://www.afeseo.ca/index.htm ). For more information visit www.collegeofece.on.ca

Outlook for Construction Trades In April 2009, Ipsos-Reid conducted a survey for the Ontario Construction Secretariat of more than 1,000 non-residential contractors in the industrial, commercial and institutional construction industry. Survey results, including statistics on the current business climate, trade supply and projected demands, barriers to growth, and 2009 outlook, are available on-line. www.iciconstruction.com.

New Trades Approved

Concrete Pump Operator coordinates the placement of ready-mix concrete through a pump at job sites, sets up concrete delivery systems and monitors the movement of concrete to pour locations.
Developmental Services Worker (DSW) supports people who have a developmental disability by enhancing their capacity to function in community living settings and in society. This new trade has been profiled in our Guide.
Relay and Instrumentation Technician repairs, overhauls and calibrates Vital Signal Control Relays (VSCR) within a transit environment.

People

Valentino's Grande Salon of Whitby wins big at the 2009 Contessa Hairstyling Awards. The Contessas, known as the "Oscars" of the Canadian beauty industry, are the longest running and most pretentious awards honouring excellence and creativity in salons and salon professions across Canada. Valentino's brought home two awards including Best in Canada for Salon Business Excellence and the Avant Garde Hairstylist of the Year won by stylist Pam Clough. Congratulations to salon owners George and Vasile Tsinokas and their team!

20th Annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition - 2009

Since 1989, Skills Canada - Ontario has been promoting skilled trade and technology careers to Ontario youth. Once a year they host the Ontario Technological Skills Competition where elementary students participate in challenges and secondary and post-secondary students compete in contests.

This year the Durham District School Board took a team of 20 students to Kitchener to compete in 16 different categories. Maddison Conte from Central C.I. won the silver medal for hairstyling. Congratulations!

The Durham Catholic District School Board took 11 students that competed in 9 different categories. According to Tyler Gallacher, Carpentry Team of 2, "The competition was an excellent experience. I had a great time during the competition. It was fun, which was unexpected and overall a great experience. Well worth it!"

Three Durham College students competed in the post-secondary division. Congratulations to Brendon Van Der Weer who won the Gold medal for Industrial Mechanic Millwright and John Hamilton and James Larue who ranked 4th and 5th respectively in Welding.

Training

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is an apprenticeship program aimed at providing secondary school students with opportunities to complete credits towards a secondary school diploma while beginning an apprenticeship with an employer in the local community. Students who are registered with the Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board and interested in applying for the 2009/2010 Regional Accelerated Programs should contact their Guidance Counsellor, Cooperative Education teacher or Technological Studies teacher in their high school. Accelerated Programs are available in:

Automotive Service Technician	Electrical
Cook/Chef	Carpentry
Small Engines	Hairstyling
Early Childhood Education	Developmental Services Worker
Plumber	Welding