Writing Samples

@TEC

In its continuing effort to position Greater Kingston as a community with a strong knowledge-based economy KEDCO (Kingston Economic Development Corporation) unveiled the Advanced Technology Education Consortium (@TEC). As a growth opportunity for Kingston, the statistics speak for themselves. According to KEDCO, "The Information Technologies and Telecommunications cluster is estimated to generate approximately $266 million annually, with commercial output accounting for $166 million."

Kingston is well on its way to establishing strong communities in these technology groups. However, continued planning is required so that these industries can enjoy the resources they need for continued growth. This is where @TEC comes in.

@TEC was conceived as a body to help Kingston respond to the growing needs of local businesses for skilled workers in high technology fields, specifically Information Technologies and Telecommunications, Health Sciences, and Advanced Materials. It was also designed to assist skilled prospective employees locate positions with companies that require their services. In addition, @TEC offers programs to help job hunters with backgrounds in science, mathematics, engineering or programming to move into the software space. These programs give a prospect an intensive 12-month overview of critical programming concepts.

For businesses that are having trouble locating, recruiting or retaining qualified employees, @TEC offers an internship program. The @TEC program coordinates a three-way partnership between the business, the student and @TEC. The understanding, under the internship program, is that the business will make it possible for the student to be exposed to 'relevant work opportunities' and benefit from the supervision of an 'appropriate professional'. The cooperating business is then expected to offer feedback on the interns performance. Depending on the duration of the internship, these positions may be paid or unpaid.

The obvious benefit to participating businesses is being able to evaluate a prospective employee without making a permanent (or major monetary) commitment. There is also the added advantage of not having to worry about spending valuable time in the recruiting process as most of the selection process has been taken care of. To recruit an intern through @TEC, simply contact @TEC's Marketing and Placement Coordinator (http://www.queensu.ca/atec/contact.html).

Job hunters who are considering the @TEC internship program can apply at any time up until the time the desired program is set to begin. Once you apply, the application process takes about four weeks. The process includes an interview, prior learning assessment, testing, and in some cases, an English language proficiency test. Should you apply to @TEC, you will be required to provide the following information:

A complete resum‚ indicating previous work experience, educational background, career interest, computer knowledge and experience, hobbies and other interests.

A list of a minimum of three references who may be contacted by @TEC.

A cover letter explaining why the applicant wishes to take the program and what the applicant hopes participation in the program will allow them to achieve.

A secondary school diploma or transcript (if completed within the last five years).

Transcripts from each post-secondary educational institution which the applicant has attended.

Certificates and transcripts from any previous technology-based training which the applicant may have completed. If @TEC is not exactly what you're looking for as a prospective employee to assist you with your search for the perfect placement, you can still benefit from a visit to their Web site. The 'bulletin board' points to a number of valuable employment resources that you can use in your hunt. These resources include a list of employment agencies specializing in both the Kingston area and the high technology fields, as well as links to resumé-posting Web sites.

You can also find up-to-date postings on upcoming job fairs.

Businesses or students interested in working with the @TEC program can visit the Web site at: http://www.queensu.ca/atec/