SMART schools


Social media isn’t just personal, it’s professional


Herzing College has introduced a media coordinator program to respond to growing demand By Stefanie Cutrona


Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest ac- count. According to a recent report from


F


Media Technology Monitor, “two out of three Canadians now use social media in one form or another.” Social media has become part of our daily routine, from posting a status update on Facebook, to Tweeting the latest traffic frustration and Instagramming a photo of our lunch. Social media can be used to voice your opinion, and to share your experiences with friends and family. It also serves as an incredibly important marketing tool. Online marketing – social media, web- sites, and search engine optimization (SEO) has become an integral part of the marketing mix. Over the past five years, businesses and organizations around the world have adopted an on- line presence, and are being rewarded with results. They use social media platforms to


advertise their product and services, en- gage with their target audiences, deliver customer responses, and maintain rela- tionships with their existing customers. Canada ranks high for social media use


Webfuel.ca reports that “Canada ranks in the top three countries from around


Social media has grown up and knowing how to use it is a definite asset.


the world in terms of online engagement, and is a global leader in social net- working usage.” BMO Financial Group claims that “57 per cent of small busi-


nesses in Canada now use social media.” Since the change in our communications landscape, companies are recognizing the need to hire skilled individuals to cre-


or many of us, social media has become a way of life. Everyone and their dog has a Facebook, Twitter,


ate, manage, and plan their online strat- egies. Tis exciting career path can lead to opportunities in organizations of all sizes, across many different industries. Media coordinator program


Herzing College Winnipeg now of-


fers a nine-month media coordinator program that teaches students the fundamentals of social media and online marketing, advertising, com- munications and writing for online media, search engine optimization, video production, and graphic design. Trough hands-on training, theory, and internship experience, students of the media coordinator program will gain the skills and knowledge it takes to be suc- cessful in career positions such as social media managers, online marketing coor- dinators or digital marketing managers. Social media crucial for business “This course couldn’t be more rel-


evant,” says Winnipeg campus academic dean, Robin Day, citing a report by Social Media Examiner which found that “86 per cent of marketers indicate that social media is important for their business.” Herzing Winnipeg is now accept-


ing students for this newly introduced program. Te program will be offered at multiple points throughout the year, and classes will run 20 hours per week, Mon- day to Tursday. Interested potential stu- dents are encouraged to contact Herzing College and make an appointment to see an admissions advisor, as the program is expected to fill up quickly.


Co-ordinator helps high school students find opportunity in the skilled trades R


eg Toews knows southern Manitoba like the back of his hand. As a High School Apprenticeship Program


Co-ordinator in the Red River Technical Vocational Area (RRTVA), Toews’ key re- sponsibility is to be a liaison between high schools, students and employers across five school divisions in the southernmost regions of the province. Toews can easily clock hundreds of


kilometres in his efforts to promote the skilled trades to students as an attractive career path. Toews feels this commitment is worth


the extra time and travel because his job allows him the opportunity to help stu- dents make real-life career choices. “I’m working to make trades a reality for their future,” he says. After starting his career as a junior high


school teacher, Toews eventually felt the need to switch focus. “An opportunity arose where I could make a change. I didn’t know a lot about the High School Appren- ticeship Program (HSAP), but I thought it was pretty interesting.” Toews became a High School Appren-


ticeship Instructor and now works full- time for the RRTVA promoting vocational training and the HSAP. Graduate with a plan


Toews says that Manitoba’s HSAP gives


students a head start by teaching students about responsibility and providing valu- able life skills, such as money manage- ment. “Tese are skills you can’t learn in a classroom. Te program allows students to become independent and to graduate from high school with a definite plan.” The timing couldn’t be better. Both


provincial and federal governments have started to focus on increasing the number of skilled tradespeople in the province and across the nation, which means there is mounting pressure on education systems to endorse apprenticeship training in schools. In Toews’ opinion, the support to in-


crease vocational training in the schools has been welcome and has also encour- aged growth. “Tis support has created jobs and strengthened the apprenticeship system. With collaboration from all levels, we are working together to help mould the system so it better supports skilled trades training.”


Teaming up Te network of support for the HSAP


includes a Professional Learning Group (PLG) co-chaired by Toews, comprised of educators from around the province. Information sessions are held quarterly


to promote apprenticeship training within high schools and provide resources to educators. According to Toews, the PLG provides


the opportunity for educators to learn from each other. He adds that he is excited about the future potential for the group to help further expand opportunities for stu- dents to get involved in the skilled trades. “Te PLG is made up of a diverse group


of teachers who come together to brain- storm and network. Tey learn from each other and help strategize ways to improve the opportunities for students. Tere is currently real momentum within appren- ticeship and the trades. Tese forces are opening doors to a great future for young students.” Te High School Apprenticeship Pro-


gram gives students the opportunity to gain paid, supervised, on-the-job training in a skilled trade while completing their high school education. Tis experience can be counted as credit toward gradu- ation as well as post-secondary appren- ticeship. For more information, visit the Ap-


prenticeship Manitoba website at www. manitoba.ca/tradecareers or contact your HSAP co-ordinator. -Apprenticeship Manitoba


Reg Toews is passionate about his work promoting careers in the skilled trades to the southeastern Manitoba high school community.


12 SMART TAB


www.smartcareers.ca


August 2014


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