Ottawa Talent Initiative

We are pleased to announce a new work experience program at the Ottawa Talent Initiative that we feel may be of interest to you.  This program will provide the opportunity for small and medium sized organizationsaccess to high quality talent at little or no cost, while offering unemployed/underemployed technology workers vital, hands-on experience.  We have already received considerable interest in the program, and are seekingcompanies to help make this a success.

This program will provide you access to experienced technology experts to help you complete short-term projects, the duration of which shall be agreed upon between the employer and the technology worker.

To become involved in this program, please register your company on our website by clicking on the Work Experience link.  Interested technology workers can view these opportunities and apply directly to your company.  The process is then similar to paid contracts or employment, with the employer reviewing the candidate's resume and references, and conducting an interview prior to engaging them.

Gary Davis, Executive Directory of the OTI states: “Contrary to popular mythology the high tech unemployment issues have not disappeared. There are still large numbers of IT high tech workers acing employment challenges.  Many workers are still caught in a cycle whereby they cannot gain work because they lack the necessary experience but are unable to gain that experience because no one will hire them.”

Tim Inkpen, an OTI alumni who developed the Work Experience Program concept at OTI, states “This program creates a win-win situation for both organizations and the unemployed/underemployed.

This program offers businesses and non-profit organizations access to a huge range of talent from programmers to project managers to engineers. The OTI has been a leader in creating innovative programs for technology workers and allowed people like me to gain valuable job experience.”

To learn more about the Work Experience Program, please contact Jen Shillingford or Linda Last t 613.254.9914 or visit our website www.ottawatalentinitiative.ca .

Sincerely,

Neil Frenkel & Jen Shillingford
Program Directors
Ottawa Talent Initiative

About the OTI

The Ottawa Talent Initiative (OTI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the growth of Ottawa's hightech sector by working with employers and high tech workers to help create job ppportunities. The organization's mission is to accelerate the return of high tech workers to sustainable employment in Ottawa . OTI achieves this through a number of effective programs, seminars, networking and employment engagement opportunities.