Shobana Thangavadivel - CCDP, CCS, CRS

Experience

• 

  Corbrook

  Apr 2004 - Apr 2006

  Vocational Counselor

  • Interviewed ODSP-ES clients and assessed their skills and abilities for employment• Networked with community agencies and businesses to find employment for clients• Created resumes and cover letters for clients and provide job search techniques

• 

  Employment Access

  Apr 2006 - Jul 2018

  Employment Specialist

  • Assisted clients in creating resumes, cover letters, thank you letters and references• Provided Job Search techniques and Mock Interviews with clients• Entered client data into the internal MTCU database• Supervised students from the Social Services Worker diploma program for an 8 month period providing weekly feedback to the placement coordinator and attending a year end exit interview• Conducted Labour Market Research to gain knowledge of the skills required for competitive employment in various fields• Assisted clients in completing Second Career applications to obtain funding for training• Prepared monthly and quarterly status reports • Managed client files with detailed case notes • Provided ODSP- Employment Supports office with the required paperwork (i.e. Employability Determination, Service Action Plan, Closure reports, Case Notes, Commencement of Employment)• Marketed the organization to schools, libraries and other non-profit organizations to increase intake clients into service • In charge of providing/maintaining a “community closet” of donated professional clothing to clients who require work attire for interviews Show less

• 

  VPI Working Solutions

  Aug 2018 - Jul 2019

  Career Specialist

  • Provided in depth career counseling on an individual basis• Conducted intake processes and Needs Assessment utilizing Common Assessment techniques• Maintained real-time, accurate case notes in database according to internal policies• Facilitated employment workshops, job fairs, employer sessions and other events to prepare clients to gain and maintain employment• Implemented career plan and monitored and supported client through to successful completion• Critiqued clients’ self-marketing tools and referred to appropriate resources within the community • Assisted OW referred in clients in securing employment and laid off clients in pursuing Second Career funding • Worked with WSIB referred client on a daily basis for a 2 week period accessing their needs and requirement for accommodations and provided completed a Tracker sheet for WSIB clients in a timely manner • Collaborated with Ontario March of Dimes to assist clients with disabilities in securing employment• Specialized in working with highly qualified internationally trained individuals seeking employment in their sector • Network, maintain and share information on available community services, including all services available through MTCU, Region of Peel, non-profit organizations and other agencies• Managed, supervised and trained co-op students from George Brown College’s Career and Work Counsellor diploma program for a 4 month period Show less

• 

  Achēv (formerly TCET)

  Aug 2019 - now

  Foreign Credential Recognition Loans ProgramJob Search Assistance:• Assist Internationally Trained Professional in liaising with community organizations to develop employment opportunities• Connect with community organizations for job shadowing & mentoring opportunities• Provide individual one-on-one counselling regarding employment' job search strategies and follow-up with clients Career Counselling:• Meet with clients for initial character based assessment & draft out a learning Plan as Per clients career goals• Assist clients to make informed decisions about training selection Financial Counselling:• Provide individual one-on-one financial counseling meetings and follow-up with clients• Support client’s understanding of their responsibilities by addressing any questions or concerns specific to credit, repayment and impact on financial behaviour• Prepare toan documents as per guidelines from Meridian Credit Union• Complete above activities with professionalism, courtesy, exceed Achēv’s stated service level agreementsOther Duties:• Collect and analyze statistics and program evaluation data and draft monthly, quarterly reports for review by the Manager• Engage in extensive outreach, partnership development and participate in community networking meetings to develop an on-going relationship with community Show less • Manage all aspects of the program, including budgets, cash flows, narratives and final reports• Manage a loan guarantee fund and enable the delivery of loans to participants• Ensure compliance with the funding contract and the achievement of goals, objectives, and targets• Regularly meet with the team to receive program updates• Monitor the progress of loan approvals, denials and withdrawals and update the master loan sheet• Assist in the interviewing process to hire a new employee for various departments at Achēv Show less • Specialized in working with highly qualified internationally trained individuals seeking employment in their sector • Experience finding employment in following sectors: administration, trades, warehouse, engineering, IT, healthcare, financial services, and retail sales by connecting with employers within these industries through their online job advertisements • Refer new immigrants to various newcomer organizations that assist in upgrading English, assessing their post secondary credentials and/or mentoring them in their specialized careers (i.e. Mentorship Programs, Bridging Programs, Enhance Language Training, etc) • Refer client to the Peel Adult Learning Centre as well as the Catholic Peel Adult Learning centre for Introduction to Computers, Advanced Computer, Step Up Program, Customer Service Certificate Program and the co-op programs • Effectively used resources to provide suitable services pertaining to employment counselling in vast professions, immigration issues, subsidized housing, subsidized daycare, individual/family counselling, education, community services and other resources based on individual client needs• Experience conducting Common Assessment Training (CAT) and referral to other service providers within the community based on the results applications • Facilitate employment related workshops within the community • Created a Job Scan Workshop and Facilitator’s guide for the organization • Facilitate Zoom mock interviews with clients and within a group environment • Presented webinars through Zoom to potential clients and community partners regarding services the organization provides • Extensive experience with Second Career applications • Assist client with job search techniques using social media, recruitment website, job boards and LinkedIn search engines• Provide documentation of a clear rationale to support the participant accessing the job retention part of the ES service Show less

  • Career and Training Counsellor

    Sept 2020 - now

  • Project Manager - secondment

    Jul 2022 - Dec 2022

  • Career Specialist

    Aug 2019 - Aug 2020
• 

  Achēv - Brampton Fire and Emergency Services

  Apr 2022 - Sept 2023

  Career Specialist

  • Assisted Brampton Fire and Emergency Services to target members of diverse and underrepresented communities • Conduct ongoing follow-up with successful candidates and assist in interview preparation, essay review and the whole application process