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Connection and Community Weekly Webinar Series

January to March 2024

Our Connection and Community Weekly Webinar Series for Winter 2024 is now open for registration! These free online events are designed for our valued clients, program applicants, employers, and champions of Make A Change Canada to attend, fostering a diverse community of learners.

Engage with experts and enthusiasts in a series of thoughtfully designed webinars and workshops, catering to job seekers, entrepreneurs, and employers alike. This series focuses on the knowledge and skills you need to thrive in the new digital economy.  To register for any or all of the sessions, please refer to the list below. If you have any questions or require assistance, feel free to contact us anytime at webinars@makeachangecanada.com.

(Please note, to benefit from the material presented, all registrants are encouraged to attend these events on the day they are held. In accordance with current privacy policies and standards, we do not distribute webinar recordings other than in exceptional circumstances.)


SPECIAL INDUSTRY EVENT: Data Breach: Live! Hacking Techniques and How Personal Cyber Insurance Can Provide the Last Line of Defense

Presented by Derek May, Vice President, Technology and Cyber, Hub International Insurance Brokers
Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Make A Change Canada is thrilled to welcome Derek May from Hub International Insurance Brokers in Vancouver, B.C. to this special industry event. Derek is the Vice President, Technology and Cyber with the Complex Risk Division at Hub International in Vancouver, B.C. During this exciting and revealing webinar, Derek will guide you through the world of hacking and shed light on some common hacking techniques. You’ll see real-world examples of credential harvesting and ransomware attack, and Derek will empower you with best practices for bolstering your data security. To top this session off, Derek will provide information about affordable insurance offerings that provide expert technical support and dark web/social media monitoring. Join us for this electrifying session and the opportunity to elevate your cybersecurity game!

Derek May is Vice President, Technology and Cyber with the Complex Risk Division of HUB International Insurance Brokers, located in Vancouver, B.C. As Vice President of Technology and Cyber, Derek is responsible for providing insurance and risk management solutions to public and private companies. He specializes in Technology and Cyber products that protect companies from these evolving risks and is one of Canada’s leading brokers in this space. Derek is also the first person in Western Canada to receive the Cyber COPE® Insurance Certification (CCIC) designation offered through Chubb Insurance and Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. Derek also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Entrepreneurship and a minor in Economics from Northern Michigan University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.  The College of Business rewarded Derek's efforts with the Entrepreneurship Scholar Award, which is given annually to the top graduating student in the field. Derek is a Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB), as well as a Certified Risk Manager (CRM), and was named a 2016 Elite Broker by Insurance Business Canada.

FEATURE PRESENTATION: Rock Your Profile – LinkedIn Workshop, Workshop facilitated by RBC Royal Bank
Presenters: Jeevan Bhullar, Banking Advisor, RBC Royal Bank, and Raj Nahal, Investment and Retirement Planning Associate, RBC Royal Bank

Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Join us for this exciting RBC Skill-Building workshop. Learn how you can begin building your network and advancing your career on LinkedIn. In this workshop you will learn strategies and tips on how to best build your profile, expand your network, and start connecting with professionals in your field of interest. Save the date for this engaging presentation, and get ready to gain insights that could positively influence your future!
Please note: The duration of this workshop is 1.5 hours.

Jeevan Bhullar is a Banking Advisor in Abbotsford, British Columbia. His passion to become financially literate and provide others the opportunity to learn about finances has accelerated his career. Jeevan is recognized within RBC, his community at large, and outside of RBC for his work planning events with external firms bringing youth an interactive experience by putting their minds at ease in dealing with finances. He does this by making a complex topic more approachable, understandable, and retainable. Outside of work, Jeevan is an avid reader, and is a massive car enthusiast.

Raj Nahal is an Investment and Retirement Planning Associate at RBC situated in Kitimat, British Columbia. Raj is highly motivated and engaged in her communities with strategic attention to Newcomers as well as Advice events of all kinds. Raj brings a warm, caring, and thoughtful approach to client conversations earning their trust and helping them find the right solutions for their goals. On the other side of work life balance, Raj uses her motivation to try new cuisines or reading a good book.

WORKPLACE TRAINING EVENT: A Reality Check—Employee Expectations and Employer Needs
Presented by Brenda Kelleher-Flight, Ph.D., Business Consultant at GDP Consulting Inc.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Make A Change Canada is pleased to welcome Dr. Brenda Kelleher-Flight back for this exciting new workplace training event. In this session Brenda will focus on two main areas. Essentially, to really find your comfort zone at work, it will be important to remain open to both the employer’s and the employee’s needs. While employers need to build or sustain their business or organization, employees have separate and distinct needs that are important to them, too. It is essential to take concrete steps during the employee's hiring, orientation, and career to create success. Organizations need committed employees, and employees need to be engaged in workplaces that enable them to grow and find a work-life balance. Creating compatibility takes commitment from both parties. Sign up to reserve your seat today!

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SPECIAL PANEL DISCUSSION: 5 Secrets to Workplace Success
Panellists: JA Jonusas, Workforce Opportunities Specialist, and Anne-Marie Edgar, CEO - Make A Change Canada

Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Do you ever wonder what the secret is to having more fulfillment and success at work? In addition to having a positive mindset, you can also benefit from understanding what employers typically value in their employees. In this special panel discussion facilitated by Mary Alton, JA and Anne-Marie will answer five key questions and then cap things off with one big take-away. Topics will include workplace etiquette, communication, accuracy, and deadlines. We will also discuss how being proactive and remaining accountable at work can add to your overall performance. Our experienced facilitators will present real-life scenarios, providing practical tips and strategies to navigate various workplace situations with grace and professionalism. Attend this session and learn how to distinguish yourself from the crowd, build great references, and put your best foot forward from day one to get a positive start in your career. Register today!

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GUEST! Effective Team Building: What Makes a Great Team?
Presented by Amy McCarthy, RPR, IPMA-ACP, HR Project Partners Inc.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Amy McCarthy is a professional, experienced HR Consultant and Trainer and will be on hand in Zoom to share her in-depth experience with you on what it takes to build and be part of a great team. Whether you are an employer or an employee, everyone can play a part in being an effective workplace leader. Amy will discuss what defines a great team, what it takes to build one, and the tools leaders have to make the job of creating and maintaining an effective team easier. This session will also provide practical insights to develop your leadership skills. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your team-building skills and contribute to the success of your business or organization. Register now for this session and take the first step toward fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence within your team.

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DISCOVER! Embracing the Future: Digital Skills and the Landscape for Career Success
Presented by Anne-Marie Edgar, CEO, and Mary Alton, Program Manager - Make A Change Canada

Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Recent insights from FutureSkills have unveiled a staggering reality: one in every five Canadian employees, spanning 92 diverse occupations, teeters on the brink of automation, impacting a significant 3.5 million individuals. Meanwhile, a poll by KPMG, indicates that a resounding 80% of businesses are eagerly seeking more workers with digital skills, and two-thirds say they have difficulty finding and hiring the right talent. What does this mean for you? It means that, if ever there was a time to time to create a future for yourself in the evolving digital landscape, that time is now. At Make A Change Canada, we work daily to equip you with the web and digital skills needed for getting your start in the new digital economy. In this information session we will explore current labour market trends, the importance of remaining open to new opportunities, and the training programs and career supports available through Make A Change Canada. Seize the chance to future-proof your career. Let's navigate the digital landscape together and empower you for success in the new digital economy!

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WOW - Webinars On Work: Wix, Weebly, and WordPress—Does code still have a future in web development?
Presented by George Papazian, Instructional Lead - Make A Change Canada, and Creative and IT Lead for OptoMedia

Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern)

George Papazian has been building websites since the late 1990s and the dawn of the commercial web. Technology changes rapidly, and George has witnessed its ongoing evolution over the years. Components that once took developers hours to code and test for browser compatibility can now be dragged and dropped in seconds! And now, with the advent of web page builders and AI into the industry, you may be asking, What role does code have to play in web development today? And what does the future hold for web programmers? Join George in this session as he shares his insights into the future of code in web development. Click and sign up today!

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WOW - Webinars On Work: Master the Art of Listening and Enhance Your Communication Skills
Presented by JA Jonusas, Workforce Opportunities Specialist - Make A Change Canada

Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Have you ever found yourself wondering, “What did I just hear?” In this webinar you will discover the profound impact of effective and active listening on both your personal and professional life. JA will guide you through the intricacies of the art of listening, demonstrating its pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections. Whether in the workplace, within your family, or with strangers you encounter, the ability to listen actively is a key ingredient for successful communication. Join JA in this session as she shares valuable insights and practical techniques to help you master of the art of listening. Sign up for this webinar today!

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TTT - Technology Tag Team: Artificial Intelligence—Blessing or Curse? (A Discussion on Responsible Innovation)
Presented by JA Jonusas, Workforce Opportunities Specialist, and Colin Keane, Technology Instructor - Make A Change Canada

Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Colin Keane, Instructor, Web and Digital Technology Programs, and JA Jonusas, Workforce Opportunities Specialist, share a common fascination about AI. JA views the new AI innovations as a blessing, while Colin considers that AI has the real potential to become a curse. Join this session as Colin and JA lead us through an insider’s tour of the world of AI. They will discuss the transformative power of AI and its potential risks and challenges. We all need to become more aware of the importance of responsible AI development, and this session will do just that. Attend this session, and come away feeling more AI-aware as AI continues to revolutionize industries and redefine the way we live, work, and connect. Bring your own insights or questions for the Q&A session at the end. Sign up today!

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DISCOVER! Embracing the Future: Digital Skills and the Landscape for Career Success
Presented by Anne-Marie Edgar, CEO, and Mary Alton, Program Manager - Make A Change Canada

Friday, March 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Recent insights from FutureSkills have unveiled a staggering reality: one in every five Canadian employees, spanning 92 diverse occupations, teeters on the brink of automation, impacting a significant 3.5 million individuals. Meanwhile, a poll by KPMG, indicates that a resounding 80% of businesses are eagerly seeking more workers with digital skills, and two-thirds say they have difficulty finding and hiring the right talent. What does this mean for you? It means that, if ever there was a time to time to create a future for yourself in the evolving digital landscape, that time is now. At Make A Change Canada, we work daily to equip you with the web and digital skills needed for getting your start in the new digital economy. In this information session we will explore current labour market trends, the importance of remaining open to new opportunities, and the training programs and career supports available through Make A Change Canada. Seize the chance to future-proof your career. Let's navigate the digital landscape together and empower you for success in the new digital economy!

Sign up