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  • February 28, 2020 11:45 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Virtual AGM


    Every year ASPECT hosts its Annual General Meeting, either in Richmond or Victoria, but turn-out from our membership has been limited to members from those areas. This time, in our effort to engage with the entire ASPECT membership and to keep costs at bay, we are trying something new: a virtual AGM. The virtual format will allow any member who wants to see what's going on at ASPECT the opportunity to check-in: it will take place on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at 1:30-2:00 pm.


    As always, there is no cost to attend, and the AGM is open to all ASPECT members and their staff. Please RSVP your attendance. Login information will be sent to you along with voting rights for one person per organization. Other national organizations have adopted this style of governance, which is sparking new community engagement from all areas. I'm excited to try it out.  

    Virtual Regional Meetings

    As you know, we held virtual regional meetings in January and February. Thank you to everyone who participated. At these meetings, we received some excellent feedback with several reoccurring comments listed below in no particular order:
    • The contracts being delivered on behalf of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training have enabled service providers the flexibility they need to serve the clients.  Slight tweaks to eligibility have been appreciated. Service providers feel that they are working in collaboration with the ministry to help people.
    • Marketing services to clients and employers is a growing financial concern. Some contractors are struggling to adapt to the “WorkBC” brand while undermining existing community connections.
    • Programs delivered outside of the WorkBC model are flexible and easier to administer. 
    • The increased administration requirements are a significant cost to service providers.  
    • Contract policy interpretation inconsistent from CAPA to CAPA. 
    • Fears that clients who are not computer literate are falling through newly formed cracks in the system.
    • Rural and remote programming is still underfunded.
    • Managing employer relationships are a challenge as they adjust to a new work environment.
    ASPECT also picked up some great advice on how we can better serve our members:
    • Create a reports page on the website of new research and trends. (Done! See “Sector Reports” on the ASPECT website.)
    • Provide members with information about attracting and retaining employees and define competitive pay. (ASPECT is a part of the Social Service Labour Market Advisory Committee and the final report will be coming out soon.)
    • Provide members with a training portal to access professional development for the sector. (Concept in development; also, professional development opportunities in Aspectives news.)
    The next virtual regional meeting will happen in a few months. We are also starting to put together a regional tour to visit members -- more information coming as soon as it’s available.

    Janet Morris-Reade

    ASPECT CEO
  • February 21, 2020 11:08 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Last Tuesday, I participated in the BC Budget Lock-Up where stakeholders (such as ASPECT) and media get a chance to preview the budget documents, ask questions of public servants, and hear Minister of Finance, Honourable Carole James, present her speech before presenting it in the Legislature. At 8:30, we surrender our phones, sign confidentiality agreements, and gather in a room with other stakeholders and for limited times, media. The process ended at 1:45 when the Minister presents the budget in the Legislature to the public. 
     
    Likely you’ve already heard updates about the budget but here are highlights that affect employment service providers and how you deliver services:

     
    BC Access Grant – In addition to interest-free loans announced at last year’s budget, the BC Access Grant provides up to $4,000 per year for post-secondary studies with two-year certifications and associate degrees now eligible. The government has also extended supports to part-time students. Not only is this good news for ASPECT members who offer training, but also for sector workers who want to upgrade their credentials and prepare for leadership. 
     
    Childcare Access and Affordability – Last year’s budget promised $1.3 billion in affordable, accessible childcare with 22,000 new licensed daycare spaces. Although there have been capacity-building challenges to meet this target, the 2020 budget promises 5,400 bursaries for Early Child Educators (ECEs) and a wage lift for 11,000 ECEs. These commitments, along with an affordable childcare benefit of up to $14,895 per year and a childcare fee reduction initiative of up to $5,400 per year, means that we could see an influx of women entering the workforce. Of course, ASPECT members are there to assist! 
     
    Infrastructure and Job Creation – the government plans to invest $7.4 billion for infrastructure improvements that they estimate will provide 100,000 direct and indirect jobs. This promise, along with supports announced for displaced forestry workers last monthimproved eligibility for supports, and BC Budget Announcement of an increased earning exemption for those on income or disability supports, there are several opportunities for ASPECT members to help.
     
    It was my 5th budget lock up, and I’m delighted to see some issues that were not being addressed before on the list. The barriers to employment identified by our members and advocated by ASPECT to the government are addressed in the budget: increased mental health and addictions support, access to safe and affordable daycare, improvements in transportation, and more affordable housing. 
     
    As we know with financial plans, the devil is in the details of whether the promises are delivered. Because these issues are mentioned and continue to be mentioned, it gives me a reason to be cautiously optimistic about the future of work. 

    Janet Morris-Reade
    ASPECT CEO

  • February 14, 2020 1:13 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Social Services Sector Forum Report


    The Social Sector Forum brought together 135 representatives from across the province to Richmond on November 15, 2019. This report of the day's proceedings was released earlier this week and it provides an overview of panel discussions, addresses by the Honourable Shane Simpson, Minister Responsible for Social Development and Poverty Reduction, as Chair of the Roundtable, and the table topic discussions.

    Topics discussed that day are similar to what we've been hearing through our ASPECT member regional meetings and also where ASPECT has been focusing our advocacy work over the recent years. Here are some of the top issues:

    1. Staff recruitment and retention and the difficulty for the social care sector to compete with government and institutions.
    2. Regional complexity of delivering services in rural and remote communities.
    3. Collaboration with Indigenous organizations to deliver services.
    4. Building capacity to make collaborative engagement sustainable.
    5. Issues related to procurement and contracting.
    6. Sector compensation.
    7. Sector structure and addressing the Minister's comment that "maybe there are too many service providers."
    In follow up to this day, ASPECT will be attending a Community Social Services Sector Reference Resource Group (CSSSRRG) Meeting in March where these and more issues will be discussed on your behalf. To quote Minister Simpson from page 6 of the report:

    "Government is a part of the sector, not apart from it. We need to develop a relationship that is mature, interactive, based on goodwill." 

    Read the report.


    Reports Page on the ASPECT Website

    At this week's ASPECT member regional meetings, we received a great suggestion: why not have a place to link to all of the sector reports and articles? Although we release reports in Aspectives, if you missed the week a report was released, then you may miss it completely.  As a result, we've now created a Sector Reports & Articles page for you to visit to catch up. We've included articles that have a research component behind them rather than just news media stories.  If you see a report that your employment colleagues should know about, please send us the link to include on our webpage.  

    Correction

    Last week we mistakenly passed on kudos to Catherine Poole and her staff for their work on the Labour Market Information Report. It was actually Chris Johnson, Executive Director of Labour Market Insights, Evaluation and Outreach, and her team who are responsible. Chris has promised me a photo of her team for a future issue of Aspectives so that you can see the people behind this very important work.
  • February 07, 2020 11:10 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    With an excitement once reserved for the Christmas Wish Book, I'm delighted to announce that the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training has released part one of the 2019 Labour Market Report called Good Jobs for Today and Tomorrow. First of all, kudos to Assistant Deputy Minister, Bindi Sawchuk, and Executive Director Program Design and Delivery, Catherine Poole, and their teams for breaking down the extensive Labour Market Report in easier-to-consume information. For you working in the sector, this publication provides your organization with information that is crucial for designing services and supports, attracting funding, and informing outreach to your employer contacts.

    Along with the jobs guide, is a new interactive career search tool on the WorkBC website.
    The full 2019 Labour Market Outlook publication is coming soon, but until then, you can drill down on various data sets on the Labour Market Outlook Data Catalogue.

    The Canadian labour market is changing at break-neck speed: these publications from the provincial government are extremely useful. The jobs guide is easy to read and packed full of timely information.

    Janet Morris-Reade
    ASPECT CEO

  • January 30, 2020 6:08 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    If you logged into one of our regional meetings in January and no one from ASPECT showed up, my deepest apologies to you. I picked up a rapidly progressing bug that shut down operations very suddenly and although I thought I had sent out notifications to those who had registered, I must have done something wrong because they didn't go out.  Again my apologies for any inconvenience my actions or in-actions may have caused you.



    We have rescheduled the remaining virtual ASPECT Member Regional Meetings to take place during the second week of February and I hope you'll join us. If you missed one of the previous regional meetings, please feel free to join us at any of the others.

    Please RSVP for one of the following virtual regional meetings:

    We've already had productive meetings with members from the Cariboo, Kootenay, Lower Mainland/Southwest, and North Coast & Nechako regions. The discussions were similar among the regions and clearly, there are areas ASPECT can take action. Once all the meetings take place, I will report back on what we've heard and ASPECT's plans for moving forward. Thank you to everyone whom has participated so far!

    Until then, I look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming regional meetings.

    Janet Morris-Reade
    ASPECT CEO

  • January 17, 2020 11:08 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    This week I had the opportunity to be in Ottawa to attend a national stakeholder committee meeting for Supporting Canadians to Navigate Learning and Work. This project, which is supported by a grant to the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF) and the Canadian Council for Career Development (3CD) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), is reviewing and updating the competency framework for Career Development Practitioners. We are also looking at a possible national certification model and reviewing the code of conduct and ethics for Career Developers. If you attended one of our stakeholder sessions during last year's ASPECT Summit and ASPECT Conference, please know that your feedback was received and is an integral part of the work undertaken by the committee and project leaders.

    What struck me is how vital career development services are to the clients and what a rewarding career it can be for those who chose to practice the profession. It astounds me to see the courage of those career development professionals in the room to look at the current model and re-imagine it for the future of work. Everyone strived for the betterment of the profession and put jurisdictional "empire-building" aside. A truly collaborative environment!

    I was delighted to be sitting next to Lubica Keighly, Executive Director, and Natalia Bussard, President, from the BC Career Development Association (BCCDA). We discussed ways in which ASPECT can continue to, and further support the BCCDA. Our philosophy is that we are always stronger together, working to build excellence in career development.

    More information about the work of the National Committee will be released in the coming months. It's an exciting time for the future of work as well as the profession of career development practitioners who take up the mantle of this important work.

    Janet Morris-Reade
    ASPECT CEO 

  • January 03, 2020 12:20 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Shortly before Christmas, the Labour Market Information Council released issue 22 of their newsletter called Understanding the Interconnectedness of the Future of Work: A Case Study in What's Wrong with Current Discussions, and I've finally had a chance to give it a good read. The paper suggests that what is being projected about the future of work may be based on "false or misinformed conclusions." Instead, we should be looking at the relationships between mega-trends. As an example, the writers look at the evolution of technology and demography, and posit that understanding the gaps from this perspective will provide policymakers with a better understanding of the future of work.


    At ASPECT, we follow policy work being undertaken throughout Canada and the world to inform its development with feedback from our members. What we receive from our members and share with others provides government with valuable practical knowledge of the employment programs, linking policy to practice. To this end, ASPECT is holding virtual regional meetings during January to check in with our members and to help build (or re-build) networks within the province. RSVP now at www.aspect.bc.ca/Regional-Meetings and join by video or telephone.


  • January 01, 2020 10:37 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Happy New Year!  

    Join Us Virtually for our
    ASPECT Member Regional Meetings 
    this January.

     

    Region map source: WorkBC.ca

    Grab your coffee or lunch and join us for a virtual regional meeting for ASPECT members. This facilitated discussion will include opportunities to:

    • Meet or reintroduce yourself to your neighbouring service providers. Good networking!
    • Find out what ASPECT has been up to on your behalf and what to expect in the coming months.
    • Voice your concerns and tell us how we can help.

    Sign up for the session in your region. Can't make that time? Then you are invited to attend any session that works in your calendar.

    1. Cariboo - January 16 @ 10am
    2. Kootenay - January 16 @ noon
    3. Lower Mainland/Southwest - January 21 @ 10am
    4. North Coast & Nechako - January 21 @ noon
    5. Northeast - January 22 @ 10am
    6. Thompson-Okanagan - January 22 @ noon
    7. Vancouver Island/Coast - January 23 @ noon

    Join us by video conference or teleconference and bring your co-workers!  

    Once you've RSVP'd, login details will be sent 3 days prior to the meeting.

     

    RSVP to one of our Regional Meetings Now!
  • December 20, 2019 10:19 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

  • December 13, 2019 12:40 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    I just finished a whopping eight-page CEO report for the ASPECT board of directors. In it, I compare what I have done over the past month to the goals, targets, and initiatives set out in our Strategic Plan. I won't share the entire report with you right now, because that "exciting read" is saved for the board, but I thought you might like to know what we are doing.


    Strategic Goals 

    Advocate, Represent, Inform, and Build Capacity for our members. Financial Stability for ASPECT.

    In This Month's Report

    The type of activities and initiatives I have reported on this month are the following:

    1. Government: the who, what, where, why of conversations I have had with ministers, ministry staff, and public servants at the provincial and federal levels. This month, because of the ASPECT Conference and the social services sector forum, I reported on 11 conversations, not including several others I have had with public servants.
    2. Member contact and feedback on the issues, health of their organizations, introductions and connections, etc. We measure how we are doing by monitoring membership numbers, anecdotal feedback, and our annual member survey (coming soon). We are not able to undertake a physical member tour this year but will be announcing virtual regional meetings for January. What we hear in those meetings helps us act on your behalf.
    3. My stakeholder relations reports include boards and organizations on which boards I have a position, have met with, and/or attended their events. They are 3rd Voice, BC Chamber of Commerce, Career Education Society, CERIC, Canadian Council for Career Development, Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Employability Training, BC Prior Learning Action Network, Continuing Education and Training Association of BC, Federation of Community Social Services of BC, Board Voice, BC Career Development Association, BC Labour Market Online, Social Services Labour Market Research Advisory Community, and Social Services Sector Roundtable. There are more organizations, but these are the ones I've had contact with this week.  To see all our advocacy connections, go to the advocacy relationship map on our website.
    4. Our education and professional development opportunities continue to grow. I have reported on the success of the recent ASPECT Conference, the new webinar partnership with First Work in Ontario, our Values Based Leadership series, the development of the next ASPECT Summit, the events management contracts we have for other organizations, the research projects we are developing, and when I'm planning to take my vacation. 

    At the centre of absolutely everything I do is acting on behalf of ASPECT members. I welcome you to send me a quick email to let me know your thoughts. The more information that I can provide to your volunteer board of directors, the better ASPECT can meet your needs.  

    Janet Morris-Reade



300 - 722 Cormorant Street | Victoria, BC | V8W 1P8

Toll Free: 1-888-287-4957
Telephone: 250-382-9675

Email: info@aspect.bc.ca

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