(800) 263-3199
sclip@simcoe.ca
Changing Careers
Reorienting Your Career: Changing Plans and New Beginnings
It takes time to find employment, even for people born and educated in Canada. It is not always easy to find work in Canada that corresponds with your skills and experience. You need to find out what is expected by employers in your specific occupation or industry, in the city/town where you plan to work. Coming to a new country can also mean a change in careers. Some people change careers because it is too difficult or not possible to find work in their former career. Others change careers because of opportunities not available in their country of origin. Researching careers, knowing the specific requirements and assessing your own skills and abilities are all important aspects of this change.
There are organizations in Simcoe County that can help you find work and plan your career in Ontario. For more information, please see the Employment Ontario Employment Services section.
When looking for employment in Canada it is important to be flexible and open to different opportunities. If you are finding yourself in that position, you may want to research professions that are expected to expand. You will want to consider how past experiences and education contribute to a new field. An alternative job is a position in the same or a related field to your original occupation and education; for example, if you were an architect in your own country, you may consider training as a building inspector. Or, if you were a physician, you may be interested in training for a career in occupational health and safety. In some cases, you may only need to complete some retraining or upgrade specific courses rather than complete a different degree or diploma.
By working in a similar field to the one you trained for in your country of origin, you can:
- Use your knowledge and skills
- Learn terminology
- Get valuable Canadian work experience
- Develop professional networks
You may decide to work in an alternative job while you work toward getting licensed in your former occupation or as a new career choice. If this is your plan, you should read and compare key information about each job, including:
- On-the-job duties
- The education and experience employers expect
- Labour market information
- Required skills and English/French language abilities
Examples of Alternative Jobs (from www.settlement.org)
Labour Market Information
Importance of Labour Market Information
Labour Market Information is information collected on occupations and employment trends. The information can tell you about trends across Canada, as well as trends in specific geographic regions, such as Simcoe County. Labour market information tells you:
- What jobs and skills employers are looking for
- Which industries are hiring and have a shortage of workers
- Which industries have a surplus of workers
- Where to find employers who are hiring (cities and communities)
- What working conditions are like for specific industries
- What education and training you need for specific jobs
- What factors can stop you from getting a job
- Which job areas are growing/decreasing in the future
- What are expected salaries for particular occupations
Labour market information can help you make a good decision when you want to find a job, plan your career in Canada, change jobs, or move to a new place. Many things affect the labour market. You need to be aware of technology changes as well as population changes, legislation, and trends. Labour market information can help you discover what the labour market is like for a particular job or that city. For example, if you are a machinist and you move to a town with no factories, you will have a hard time finding work unless you are willing to travel. Looking at labour market information before you move can help you make a good decision.
Labour Market Information: Simcoe County
Simcoe Muskoka Skillforce publishes an annual Local Labour Market Planning Report that details key trends and changes in Simcoe County and Muskoka labour markets.
The data in the report utilizes information from the latest May 2021 Census, Statistics Canada, Canadian Business Patterns, and consultations with local businesses, government organizations, educators, and service providers.
For more detailed information or to download the Local Labour Market Planning annal reports, click here.
Mentoring
The main idea behind mentoring is that if you can find someone who is already successful in your profession; they can help you to understand what you need to do to be successful. There is no work placement, but you will learn one-on-one from someone who already works in your field, and you can expand your networks. To learn more about mentoring:
What is a SIN and why it’s important
To work in Canada or access government programs and benefits, you need a 9-digit number known as a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Your SIN is private and it is illegal for anyone else to use it. You are responsible for protecting your SIN.
Service Canada is responsible for issuing SINs, which comes in a paper format (Confirmation of SIN letter). If you have a plastic SIN card that has not expired, it is still valid.
You will need to provide your SIN to your employer when accepting a job offer as it is necessary to work in Canada and to access some government programs and benefits. Your employer requires your SIN for tax purposes.
If you are a refugee claimant or a temporary resident, you will get a SIN with an expiration date. These SINs start with 9. You are responsible for updating your SIN before it expires. Make sure your SIN expiry date matches the one on your document from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada allowing you to work in Canada.
Your Social Insurance Number is very important. Always remember that your SIN is confidential.
There are times when you do not have to show your SIN card. Some examples include:
- proving your identity (except for some specific government programs)
- completing a job application before you get the job
- discussing a lease with a landlord
- completing a credit card application
- cashing a cheque
- subscribing to long-distance or cellular telephone services
Visit Service Canada for more information about when you should and shouldn’t provide your SIN card.
How to get a SIN
To get a SIN application form, go to the nearest Service Canada Centre and fill it out in person. You can download the application form from the Service Canada website beforehand, if you prefer.
The information listed below was provided by 211 Community Connection.
Barrie Service Canada Centre
48 Owen St
Barrie, ON L4M 3H1
Phone: 1-800-206-7218
The Federal Building
44 Hurontario St
Collingwood, ON L9Y 2L6
Phone: 1-800-206-7218
Huronia Mall
9225 Hwy 93
Midland, ON L4R 4K4
Phone: 1-800-206-7218
Orillia City Centre
50 Andrew St S
Orillia, ON L3V 7T5
Phone: 1-800-206-7218
Municipal Building
30 Lewis St
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A1
Phone: 1-800-206-7218