Don Thibert has helped more than 35,000 Ontarians a year move into progressive new careers. He boasts that the best part of his job is when he gets to celebrate the great successes of his graduates on their graduation day.As the Director of Academic Affairs at Everest College and President of the Ontario Association of Career Colleges, Don prides himself in helping student's achieve their academic and career goals.Don has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Windsor and has been a champion of private education for the past 20 years.
Recession takes its toll on work/life balance in Canada as Labour Day approaches
As the nation prepares to celebrate Labour Day - a holiday instituted to remind us of work/life balance - a recent Everest College Labour Day Poll conducted by Harris/Decima reveals that many Canadians lack balance in their lives. While an astounding 78 per cent of Canadians say it's more important to work less and have more time for yourself, friends and family, that doesn't seem to be the reality. The fact is, more than one-third of Canadians, 34 per cent, say that work dominates their life. The recession is also taking its toll, with nearly a third of respondents, 31 per cent, saying they are expected to work longer hours for the same or less pay, given the declining economy.
The survey, conducted in July on behalf of Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Ontario's leading career college - also found that almost a quarter of Canadians anticipate working during the Labour Day weekend, and almost 25 per cent of Canadians are working more than one job to make ends meet. Whether working long hours at one job, holding down multiple jobs, or still searching for an ideal career, the premise of Labour Day - celebrating eight hours of work; eight hours of play; and eight hours of rest - seems out of the question for many Canadians.
Despite the desire for balance, Canadians generally remain true to their employers. Only 11 per cent of respondents say they fake illness when they feel like some "me time" away from work. The most popular "excuse" is "not feeling well" at 31 per cent, followed by "have a cold/the flu" at 12 per cent, and "headache" at 10 per cent.
Economic Pressure
"We believe our survey results show the incredible pressure people are feeling during this economic downturn," says Don Thibert, Director of Academic Affairs, Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care. "Last year, we asked respondents to choose from a number of statements to best describe their work/life balance, and only 12 per cent indicated that work dominates their life. In 2009, we asked respondents point blank if work dominates their life and 34 per cent agreed. That translates into a lot of Canadians who are consumed by work."
"But there is hope for those wanting to improve their work/life balance, and it begins with education," continues Mr. Thibert. "Our poll shows that those who have only a high school education or less are more likely to have worked more than one job in the past year than those with post-secondary education. They have to work long hours to achieve even Canada's median annual income, which is less than $25,000. At Everest, we train people for more fulfilling careers that are in high-demand, are financially fulfilling, and offer a positive work/life balance."
A Focus on Work/Life Balance
The survey revealed that over half of those surveyed (54 per cent) are spending at least nine hours a day working and commuting, while 15 per cent of respondents spend 11 hours a day, or more, at work and commuting. Understandably, many people are looking for a little balance, and for them, Everest College suggests these in-demand positions:
- Massage Therapy - many massage therapists work from home or near home, and the position offers flexible hours.
- Personal Support Worker - this career is in high demand due to the aging population. Since most care is 24/7, workers have the flexibility to work when it best suits them.
- Business Administration - self employment offers great flexibility, and Business Administration provides a solid foundation on which to build any business idea.
- Information Technology - this is definitely a growing field, and many IT professionals are allowed to work remotely from anywhere they choose.
Everest College offers these programs and more than 30 others, which address skill shortages and provide personal and financial rewards. Plus, it's easier than most people think to go back to school. Everest College specializes in accelerated training designed to get people into new careers quickly. The College has had many successful graduates who have gone through major career changes with minimal disruption to their lives.
Educate and Excel in Four Steps
In the Everest Labour Day Poll, 36 per cent of respondents indicated that they have contemplated going back to school to upgrade or acquire new skills in the past year. If you're one of those people looking for a change, Mr. Thibert suggests following this four-step plan:
- Step #1: Decide that it's time to make a change. Whether you're motivated by money (31 per cent of Canadians indicated that they have contemplated a career change to make more money); work/life balance; or the need for change; there are many options out there. "We understand taking the step to try something new is very tough for most people," says Mr. Thibert. "At Everest, we see graduates every session who will tell you that changing or upgrading their education was the best decision they ever made."
- Step #2: Explore your options. Once you've decided what's important to you, it's time to determine your best career options. Everest College has Admissions Representatives who can offer insight into your chosen path. Everest representatives can also help you identify funding options which can help offset the cost of schooling.
- Step #3: Educate yourself. "Education is key, whether you want to completely change your career or simply want to excel in your current position," explains Mr. Thibert. "Everest offers accelerated career training that fits your life and prepares you to thrive in the real world."
- Step #4: Love your life and your job. "It's amazing the transformation that people experience when they start a job they love. They always wish they had done it sooner," adds Mr. Thibert. "It's never too late to make a change and achieve your personal and professional goals."
"I was unhappy and didn't have a work/life balance, spending at least 12 hours a day at work. Plus, I had to work more than one of these jobs to make enough money to survive," says Lyndina Crump. "I made the decision to try Everest's Business Administration program and got a real job as a Supervisor right out of school. Now I love my job and have time for me too!"
Everest College: Changing Lives through Career Training
Everest College, embodies the core values and commitment to excellence established over the last 40 years, and delivers high-quality programs taught by qualified professionals with industry-specific expertise and real-world experience. Everest College continues it's track record of excellent student completion rates, job placement and program satisfaction.Everest College, with 17 campuses across Ontario, prepares students to compete for career opportunities with specialized career training in high-growth fields.
About Corinthian Colleges, Inc.
Corinthian Colleges, Inc., parent company of Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, is one of the largest post-secondary education companies in North America. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in demand or for advancement in their chosen field. It offers diploma programs and associates, bachelor's and master's degrees in a variety of high-demand occupational areas, including healthcare, transportation technology and maintenance, criminal justice, business, information technology and construction trades.
About the Survey
The Everest College Labour Day Poll was conducted by Harris/Decima teleVox amongst 1,096 employed Canadian adults from July 16th through July 26th, 2009. Results are accurate to +/- 3.0 per cent 19 times out of 20. For more information on achieving work/life balance, visit http://www.everest.ca/survey
