May 12 Integrating Cultural Traditions Into the Teaching of Science with Dr. Rahael Koshy Jalan (Dean, Institute of Indigenous Government) and Dr. Jim Morin (Geology Instructor, Institute of Indigenous Government) 8:45am-12pm, Room 1711 Register at 5440 Events Calendar Continued from page two May 14 Responding to Changing Student Needs -- Discuss assumptions we make about students and their needs 10am-3pm, Boardroom (Room 4920) Register at 5440 Highlighting the Rajan Heer (left) has graduated from the BOE's Electronic and General Assembly program. Now, Employment Specialist Irene Chang (right) is helping him finding work in his field. Spring is the busy season the use of one arm anda services to about 35 to 45 for Irene Chang. As the new Employment Specialist for the Adult fantastic work ethic who graduates of Adult Special was placed into a practicum at Eddie Bauer Education programs, such as Customer Service and Special Education and he got hired,” says Chang. “And now the people there have Cashier Training, Light Department, Chang is in Warehouse Training and the business of dismantling general work preparation barriers to employment — connected us with other courses as well as the Basic whether it be learning Eddie Bauer stores and Occupational Education (BOE) courses — Retail and Business Services, disabilities, mental health The Gap. They're very issues, physical disabilities supportive, equal or long-term Electronics and General Assembly, and Food Services. opportunity employers.” unemployment. At any given time, Chang “There was a fellow with is providing employment “Trene sells the abilities of our students, not the disabilities,” says Bob Logelin, Coordinator of Adult Special Education Programs. “We want our students getting jobs based on their skills, and that’s how Irene works. Since she started in February, over 80 percent of our BOE graduates have found work, which is a very high employment rate.” Building long-term relationships with employers is crucial to Chang’s success. “Mainy companies who hire our graduates come back for more when they have an opening,” says Chang. She's always forging new connections by attending networking events, making cold calls and scouring the Internet for suitable employment opportunities. “T.come across a job posting on-line and I'll contact the employer with a specific person in mind,” she says. Then she highlights the strengths of the student, emphasizing the hands-on training Douglas College provides. “In our labs, we use proven training strengths of College students methods to help students acquire the skills they need in the work world,” says Chang. “Our retail students practice everything from customer service to handling cash. Electronics students learn complex, technical skills like electronic circuit board assembly. Food Services students are upstairs in the New Westminster cafeteria, busing tables and running dishwashers.” Educating employers is a big component of Chang's work, “Research shows people with disabilities often have just as good as or better job performance than typical employees and they tend to change jobs less frequently,” she says. For employers, the services Chang offers can save time and money. “Sometimes it’s easier for an employer to be connected to an institution like Douglas College that pre-screens applicants for free instead of having to deal with people walking in off the street,” she says. By touring companies, she determines their needs. Then she recruits and screens applicants, placing them in companies like Tri- M Systems, Con-Space Communications, Winners and Milestones. The majority of graduates are employed within three months of graduation. When employers are hesitant to take ona grad, she presents them with other options. Prior to graduation, students doa four-week unpaid practicum to demonstrate their skills, which cuts down on employer training costs and allows them to get to know a student before they make a commitment to hire. Chang and other Douglas College staff also offer on- site job coaching to ease a student's transition into the work world, as well as information on government subsidies available to employers who hire people with disabilities. “Trene has a real knack for working with students and matching their strengths to the needs of employers,” says Logelin. “She’s a very effective marketer for our graduates.” For more information, call 604-527-JOBS (5627). Create a haven in your backyard The Institute of Urban Ecology at Douglas College is hosting the seventh annual Nature's Havens Challenge. Residents of Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Tri- Cities, Surrey, Delta and Richmond are encouraged to create rich wildlife habitat in their own backyards. Staff members at the Institute of Urban Ecology will visit the vibrant gardens entered in the Challenge and judge them on use of native vegetation; amount and quality of food, shelter, and freshwater provided; and environmentally friendly maintenance techniques such as water conservation and composting. Gardens can be entered under the categories of backyard garden, balcony garden, riparian area, neighbourhood garden or commercial garden. All participants will be recognized for their efforts toward helping our local environment. Deadline for entry into the Nature’s Havens Challenge, including a photograph of the garden, is June 30. Anybody interested in the Nature’s Havens Challenge can receive an information package and is welcome to attend a free workshop with tips, ideas, and suggestions on how to create backyard habitat. Workshops will be held on April 29 at 5pm at the David Lam Campus, room A2100; May 7 at 7:30pm at the New Westminster Campus, Boardroom, and May 29 at 6:30pm at the Cloverdale Senior Centre in Cloverdale. To receive a Nature’s Havens entry form or information package, or to register for a workshop please contact Greg Norton at 604- 527-5522 or at iue@douglas.be.ca. Rowing for a regatta Row, row, row your boat as fast as you can! Douglas College's rowing team is diligently training twice a week out of the Port Moody Rowing Centre for a regatta on Saturday, May 24 in Deep Cove. From left to right are: Lou Rene Legge (Athletics), Jan Hastings (Learning Centre), Suzy Blown (Athletics) and Erica Northcott (Music Department). Alison Gill (Coaching/ Sport Science) is also on the team, and Stephanie Quelch from SFU is the coach.