STEC Lunch and Learn series

By Darcy Acton, Manager, Industry Development


STEC has put together a lunch and learn series for industry to come together and network. Each session will feature a speaker who will discuss current topics for the workplace, of interest to owners, operators, managers and supervisors. If you or any of your staff would be interested, you can find more information and register at steconlinelearning.com under the events section.

2013 Lunch and Learn lineup, Saskatoon

Wednesday, April 17: Internship Opportunities

Find out how youth internships can help your business address looming shortages of skilled labour. Internships allow employers to hire young individuals who are excited about their futures and eager to learn about trades or occupations that interest them.

Wednesday, May 15: Generations in the Workplace

From Baby Boomer to Gen X, employers have had to learn how to hire and motivate the best workers. Now, the Next Generation, or Millennial Generation, is joining the workforce. Learn practical tips for hiring, managing and getting the most out of a young, involved workforce

Wednesday, June 12: Liquor Trends for Business

Join us in discussing the impact on food and beverage outlets of consumer trends on liquor consumption. The discussion includes how responsible service of alcohol fits with these trends, as well as any recent changes to Saskatchewan’s liquor laws.

Wednesday, September 18:Customer Expectation

With mobile technology and instant communications, customers’ expectations are changing faster than ever – and harder than ever to meet. Learn what it takes to quickly respond to customers’ needs and exceed expectations in a fast-paced economy.

Wednesday, October 16: Tourism Training Opportunities (Panel)

When good help is hard to find, the best place to look is in your own workplace. Producing skilled, knowledgeable and motivated employees improves customer service, builds your unique brand and generates more profit. Our expert panel shows you the range of opportunities within your reach and budget.

Wednesday, November 20: Compensation highlights

Get the latest information (2012) on employee compensation practices, including wages and salaries, benefits and other incentives needed to keep staff motivated and productive. Compare compensation across industries and provinces.


For more information or to register, visit steconlinelearning.com and browse to the events section.

Summer Youth Internship winds down another successful year

The Saskatoon Industry-Education Council (SIEC) Summer Youth Internship Program, running July 9 to August 17, held its annual Celebration Luncheon at Marion Graham Collegiate in Saskatoon yesterday (August 15).
Congratulations to the 68 students and 50 businesses that participated in this year's program. Special thanks to Chili's Saskatoon and to The Rook and Raven for the three culinary interns they hired for the summer.

Traditionally, most interns are hired in the construction trades, but with cooks and other food and beverage staff increasingly in short supply, we're sure to see more restaurants participating by next year.

There's no better way to start preparing your future employees than by hiring them as interns while they're still exploring career options. And there's no better way to hire interns than by working with our friends and partners at SIEC, because of the preparation, support and workplace mentoring that is available to them.

The SEIC recruits Grade 11 and 12 students from the three school divisions in the greater Saskatoon area. STEC recruits food service employers to participate in the program.

SIEC Summer Youth Internships get cooking

The Saskatoon Industry-Education Council's Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP) is underway. For the past three years, the program has included cook internships.

The paid internships run from July 9 to August 17. Now in its eighth year, the program attracts 54 companies mentoring more than 80 youth. These companies will have paid more than $900,000 in wages into this program since the start. At least 25 youth participants will also gain Apprenticeship credits which can be used towards graduation from high school, while other interns will also complete the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship certificate. The highlight of the program is the Summer Youth Internship Celebration luncheon on August 15.

Historically, construction trades take most students, but for the past three years there has been growing interest to train future cooks as the hospitality industry faces a shortage of skilled labour.

Students get hands-on experience, allowing them to investigate career options. They get relevant experience, evaluations, specialized training, and job coaching. Employers can see how the students fit into their businesses, often keeping the students on the payroll after their internships end.

The SEIC recruits Grade 11 and 12 students from the three school divisions in the greater Saskatoon area. STEC recruits food service employers to participate in the program.

In fact, if you own or operate a restaurant or other business that prepares and serves food, perhaps you'd like hire an intern next summer. You'd be expected to pay the student at least minimum wage, providing valuable summer employment for your intern, but unlike hiring inexperienced staff off the street or through classified advertising, you and your intern receive SYIP support that includes Food Safe and other safety training and a job coach who helps the student integrate into your workplace.

The kitchen and operations manager at one popular Saskatoon restaurant and lounge, who hired his first intern last summer, said that "the program sounded like a really good opportunity for the student and for us."

Hiring high school students is a good place to start, he said, because they haven't developed any habits that might make them unsuitable for a particular employer. Last year's intern is still working at the restaurant.