A quick search for culinary arts salary information will show that chef salaries vary widely. This can make it tricky to pin down exactly what you can expect to earn if you choose to pursue a culinary arts or chefs career.

In any industry, your earning potential is dependent on a number of factors, and culinary careers are no exception. Your chef salary is customized for you. Only by considering your unique circumstances can you predict your future wages.

Here are some of the key ingredients in figuring out the culinary arts salary equation:

Work Environment – Fine dining restaurants usually pay some of the highest wages. Other high-paying employers include hotels, resorts and individuals who hire private chefs. Institutional cafeterias, casual or fast food restaurants, and cruise ships tend to be among the lowest paying employers.

Culinary Education – Whether you go to school to get your culinary degree or you learn hands-on, being prepared to handle the challenges of a fast-paced professional kitchen will help you advance to positions of higher responsibility—and pay.

Work Experience – Like education, work experience has a way of teaching you a lot of the skills you’ll need to advance in your career. Not to mention that sometimes you have to pay your dues before you’re ready for the more glamorous jobs.

Geographic Location – Culinary arts salaries are bound to be higher in areas where the cost of living is higher. Cities with a thriving culinary scene will also have higher demand for skilled chefs, and salaries will reflect this demand.

If you’re ready to start your culinary arts career, take the first step by investigating your culinary arts programs,  Liaison College is a Career College that has many campuses in Ontario.    Find  school near you, and prepare to start earning the chef salary you desire.

Education: – Environmental studies, government policy studies and business.
Interests: – Ecology and planet sustainability, coupled with corporate responsiblity mindset.

Social Media Manager – Organizations are now employing social media managers to oversee their online communities and enhance and/or protect the company brand.

According to the International Spa Association, North Americans now spend more money at spas than they do at amusement parks, movie theatres or ski resorts.  A recent survey by Statistics Canada found that an estimated 5.4 million people reported having used some type of alternative or complimentary health care.  The Spa industry and  Massage Therapy services are clearly part of the alternative health and wellness care industry. 

This sustained growth means lots of career opportunities for well-trained individuals in massage therapy and esthetics.  Career Colleges like Elmcrest College, the first private Career College in North America that is wholly dedicated to the Ministry approved curriculum for the spa and wellness industries, lead the way with new groundbreaking training and education programs. With the tremendous growth in the spa and wellness industry, graduates of registered massage therapy and esthetics from Elmcrest College are in high demand because they are helping people look and feel better.

Network Engineers oversee the installation, configuration and maintenance of networked information systems. Simply put, they set systems up so users can access information through their computer. Network engineers also install new hardware, systems and software. They install, configure, and maintain equipment and devices. Troubleshooting and managing backup and security systems are also part of the job description. This briefly describes the position. Network Engineers need strong analytical abilities and they need to be patient problem solvers. Also needed are systematic and strategic thinking skills and attention to detail. Manual dexterity, focus and innovative thinking are also helpful to be successful and satisfied in this line of work. Training for this type of career requires hands-on practical training; best results are achieved in an instructor lead lab and small class size. Since MacIntosh Computers are currently outselling PC’s creating a need for Certified Professionals for Apple Certified MacIntosh Technicians. Also, Computer Security has become a necessary and lucrative industry by both small and large organizations and Governments in particular. Looking for a program that includes this training will broaden the employment opportunities.

 kathy@careered.ca

 Through some research I discovered that Employment for Paramedics is expected to grow faster than the average of most other occupations through 2012. Population growth and urbanization will increase the demand for full-time paid Paramedics.    In addition, a large segment of the population – the aging baby boomers – will further spur the demand for Paramedic services as they become more likely to have medical issues and emergencies.  

Peoples’ lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of Paramedics.  Incidents as varied as automobile accidents, heart attacks, drowning, childbirth, and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical attention.  Paramedics provide the vital attention as they care for and transport the sick and injured to a medical facility. 

In an emergency, Paramedics are typically dispatched to the scene by a 911 operator and often work with police and fire department personnel.  Once they arrive, they determine the nature and extent of a patient’s condition while trying to ascertain whether the patient has preexisting medical problems.  Following strict rules and guidelines, they give appropriate emergency care and, when necessary, transport the patients. 

Some paramedics are trained to treat patients with minor injuries on the scene of an accident or at their home without transporting to a medical facility.  Emergency treatment for more complicated problems is carried out under the direction of medical doctors by radio, preceding or during transport.

Paramedics provide the most extensive pre-hospital care. In addition to carrying out the procedures described above, paramedics may administer drugs orally or intravenously, interpret electro cardiograms (EKGs), and use monitors and other complex equipment. Since the field of paramedicine has a strong physical requirement and is a high-stress occupation, graduates must have attained and developed plans to maintain their personal health, fitness levels and well-being.

It is a career for strong-minded individuals, who are also compassionate  with care-giving natures.   

 Trillium College offers a Paramedic Program – see www.trilliumcollege.ca for more information

Kathy Young

kathy@careered.ca                 

416-487-0002

Areas of employment include: Ont. Police Services; Public Security Guards: By-law Enforcement; Private security and investigation firms; Conservation officers; Federal enforcement agencies (RCMP & Customs Officers); Military police; Civil enforcement — and the list keeps growing.

This occupation requires  action oriented individuals who thrive in a fast-paced environment yet have focussed decision-making abilities.

 Demographics - Population characteristic, such as age, gender and cultural background can determine the demand for various products and services.  A younger population requires more schools and therefore more teachers; an older population requires more health services and supports, therefore more doctors and nurses.  As well, some occupations have a greater proportion of older workers who may soon retire, creating vacancies/opportunities.

Technology – Technological innovations in the production, distribution and sale of goods and services play a key le in both the types of jobs available and the skills that are needed.  The  increased use of computers in the workplace and in everyday life creates demand for systems analysts, computer programmers and technicians.  Technological discoveries have created many new occupations, however it has also reduced the demand for secretaries, clerk typists and file clerks.

Consumer Behaviour - People’s needs change over time, depending on how much money they have, their changing tastes and the amount of leisure time they have.  For example, ecotourism is a relatively recent phenomenon.  Developing and operating tourist attractions and accommodations has created may jobs in a large number of occupations such hotel attendants, managers, tour guides and recreation consultants.

Economic Growth - A growing economy means more people are working and have more money to spend.  Companies respond to increased business activity by investing to expand further to meet customer demands.  Increased international trade also contributes to economic growth.  As a result, new jobs are created across a wide range of occupations.

To capitalize on the labour market it is necessary to consider these factors when you are planning your career path.  Develop your skills and education being mindful of the changes in people, population and trends.

Think the best of your fellow humans as to do so can boost the quality of your life.  Thinking the best of others is a decent thing to do and a way of keeping a source of healthful innocence in our lives.  When we approach others assuming that they are good, honest and sensitive, we often encourage them to be just that.  Add kindness, consideration, respect and politeness to everyday life and it comes right back to you.  Niceness works both personally and professionally. 

Acts of kindness can also prove to be a source of joy for all of us.  Helping, assisting, caring and doing, there is nothing wrong with that, in fact it is all right.  It is civil and civility is essential to everyone’s quality of life.   

It all starts with thinking the best of one another and then demonstrating this through actions.  Everyday interactions, driving, negotiate space on the subway, interacting with others in a crowded supermarket, or crowded elevator.   Whatever causes you to feel agitated and discontented, rethink it and apply thinking the best and it will undoubtedly serve you to feel better not only about others but about yourself.

In Canada and the United States vocational education in schools began in the early 20^th century and was based on using traditional techniques to prepare young people for work.  Vocational education was intended to promote the potential to earn a living.  In the last hundred years vocational education has evolved from its original inception in response to changes in society, technology, education, skills development and the workplace.  While still promoting ones capacity to earn a living, vocational education has broadened the areas in which one can prepare for their career journey.

From about the 1950’s on the idea of a liberal education, which focused on high school graduates carrying on to University or College, became the goal for the average middle class student.  Where vocational education had a direct and applied link to an occupation, the liberal education involved the pursuit of academia/knowledge and with graduate school, a profession.  However, back in the 1950’s and in present time, not everyone can go on to University or College, nor should they, and for some students a Career College may be the appropriate option

Some students cannot make the long-term commitment to university and some lack the grades or the focus to attend and some just want a more fast-tracked approach to skills development and education. Since practical skills are stressed and liberal arts studies minimized, the programs will appeal to those who need practical skills to enter the work force as quickly as possible. Students who may not be particularly interested in academic studies at this point in their career can benefit from specialized training. Career Colleges can also help students who need specific practical skills in addition to their academic qualifications to become more competitive in the marketplace. 

Career colleges offer many courses in each subject or occupational area. Courses vary widely in terms of the subject matter that will be covered. For example, one course in “Radio” may teach radio repair, while another may prepare a person for a position with a broadcasting company. It is suggested that students write to the colleges offering the subjects that interest them, and request detailed information prior to entering into formal arrangements with any one college.*

Although two or more registered private career colleges may offer programs and courses with similar titles, this does not mean that the courses are of equal merit or will be of equal value to the student. Each college is registered on the basis of its own program offerings, and it is the student’s responsibility to decide which college and courses best meet his or her needs. The assessment of a college by potential students should include the curriculum but also the facility, the equipment, and the caliber of the teachers; all these aspects should be assessed in relation to the tuition costs.

For some students Career Colleges or as they were previously referred to, Vocational Schools, may be to appropriate pathway for those students with a specific career path in mind. 

There are 450 registered Post-secondary Career Colleges in Ontario offering a variety of education and skills development programs.  Certificate, diploma and some even offer credits that can be applied to University.  A wide range of training programs exists through career colleges to help students prepare for a career of their interest.  Career Colleges can prepare students for careers in areas such as business, information technology, health care, welding, automotive technology, film and television production, hospitality and many more career specific areas.

Almost all Career Colleges require a minimum high school diploma for acceptance into their programs.  However in some cases students can be admitted as a mature student or with a high school equivalency and an entrance test may be necessary to be accepted.

The goal for most schools is to offer applied programs in a fast-paced environment that prepare industry ready workers.  Most schools specialize in industry specific programs, so if someone is interested in Hairdressing and Aesthetics that student will focus on only that area.   Many Career Colleges have high placement for their student’s school to work transition.

Career Colleges are ideal for those who want to tweak their skill set or for those interested in reinventing themselves career wise through practical specialized skills training.  The possibilities are endless and the opportunities for personal and professional growth are quite vast. 

Kathy Young

CareerEd Services

kathy@careered.ca

 www.careered.ca

*Ont. Gov. Ed. PCC’s