Global Skills Conference 2013

Insurance & Finance

Rupinder Gill, CGA

Rupinder Gill graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Delhi in India. The Information Technology boom arrived to India in the mid-90s which motivated him to join a diploma program in Accounting & Computer Programming followed by a Graduate program in Computer Applications.

In search of a better life and future, Rupinder immigrated to Canada in 2003. After about a year of struggle in finding a job that would match his education, he realized it would be difficult to find work without a designation and satisfying the requirements of the regulatory body. With a background in accounting and IT, the CGA designation appeared to be the right match. He was placed at an intermediate level because of his foreign credentials and has successfully obtained his CGA designation. Rupinder is in his 4th year of employment with Miller & Lindsay Chartered Accountants as a Client Accountant and Technician.

Advice to newcomers: Do some research and never forget what brought you to Canada. I personally learned that by having a designation, I have am able to network with fellow members and I access to a lot of opportunities such as professional development courses which help me stay updated on the latest developments in accounting, audit, taxation and other related areas; this means I am that much better to deliver services for my employer to our clients.

Healthcare & Life Sciences

Chanakan Kalapukdee

Chanakan was born in Thailand and comes from the province of Chai Nat. She was formally trained as a Nurse Aide at Kluaynamthai Hospital Training School in Bangkok. After completing the program, she worked for the Kluaynamthai Hospital for just over 2 years.

Chanakan came to Canada in January 2007 under the Federal Live-in Caregiver Program and received her Permanent Residents in December 2010. She has since explored related professions here in Canada and her transferable skills. She overcame the challenge of having her credentials recognized as comparable to the Personal Support Worker Diploma and is now successfully employed as a PSW at a long-term care facility in Waterloo.

She has been featured in "Khon Su Cheewit", a life magazine in Thailand and continues to share her experiences in Canada with students at the Kluaynamthai Hospital Training Hospital as part of their learning. She is also closely tied to the Thai Society of Ontario and volunteers with Immigrant Services in Guelph-Wellington.

Advice to newcomers: Make the most of your resources and the people you know as they will help you in your journey to find success. My husband has been a phenomenal support and has helped me a lot. He has encouraged me to put myself "out there" and volunteer so that I can meet lots of difference people and build my own network and contacts.

Information & Communication Technology

Laura Gonzalez

Laura Gonzalez Gutierrez graduated with a Software Engineer Diploma from the Higher Polytechnic Institute "Jose Antonio Echeverria" in Havana, Cuba. She has held multiple roles and positions before coming to Canada from C++ Programmer in the Network & Communications Department to developing code to Project Team Leader for Enterprise Resource Planning software migration, to name a few.

Laura immigrated to Canada in December 2009. With the help of the Job Search Workshop (JSW) offered by the K-W Multicultural Centre she was able to improve her resume and highlight her transferable skills. She was also connected to the Internship Program for Internationally Trained Professionals offered at Conestoga College.

Currently, Laura is working for AGData Canada, as a DB programmer for the Market Research department. As a DB programmer I provide the structure, logic programming and reports that support the custom made market research studies offered to the clients.

Advice to newcomers: Expand your social network. You will increase your chances of success by increasing the amount of people you are connected with and using them in your job quest; use your colleagues, friends, family and all that accounts for "Social Networking" to build your success.

Human Services

Jay Palani

Jay Palani is a elementary school teacher having graduated with a Bachelor of Pedogogics with a major in Psychology from the University of Durban-Westville and graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of South Africa. Having understood the challenges of becoming a full-time teacher, here in Canada, she decided to explore other opportunities that would maximize her transferable skills and training.

Jay completed the career development practitioner program at Conestoga College and has accessed various services available in our community for newcomers such as the Skills Unlimited Program at Focus for Ethnic Women, the Mentorship Program at YMCA, a placement with Working for Work and the Job Search Workshop at the K-W Multicultural Centre.

Currently employed part-time at the K-W Multicultural Centre, in April 2011 she will be a full-time Employment Counsellor and Job search Workshop facilitator. Jay's journey to uncover success in Canada will find her again teaching, but in her new career she will be helping newcomers learn to develop effective job search approaches, tools and skills.

Advice to newcomers: Make the most of your time at today's conference. The highlight of my journey was being exposed to the 2010 Global Skills Conference as a participant. This was the turning point in my career because it helped me understand the importance of networking. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to serve on the advisory committee for this year's conference as I believe in the objectives and goals, and from my experience I know how it can positively impact an ITP.