Counsellor Facilitator – Skilled Trades (Contract)

YWCA Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organization in Toronto is seeking a full-time employee to support women and gender diverse individuals in trades training programs. Responsibilities include outreach planning, organizing intake activities, and providing personalised coaching. Ideal candidates will have an undergraduate degree in Social Work and 3-5 years of relevant experience. The role offers a competitive salary of $52,789 annually, comprehensive benefits, and an opportunity to work in a supportive environment, fostering inclusivity in non-traditional occupations.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage

Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit

Employer Pension Contribution

20 Vacation Days

Paid Holidays

Child Care Benefits

Financial Assistance for Professional Development

Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ experience in a related field.
• Flexible counselling approach focused on conflict resolution.
• Ability to work within an anti-oppression, feminist framework.

Responsibilities

• Plan outreach activities for recruiting eligible participants.
• Organize intake activities including information sessions.
• Provide individual counselling and coaching to participants.
• Support participants towards achieving journeyperson status.
• Develop, organize and facilitate trades readiness components.
• Identify employers willing to offer placements.

Skills

Group Facilitation

Life Skills Training

Organizational Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Written Communication

Verbal Communication

Crisis Management

Culturally Sensitive Services

Microsoft Office Proficiency

Education

Undergraduate degree in Social Work, Adult Education, or Career Counselling

Job description

Employment Type: Full-Time, Union Contract

Work Hours: 35 hours per week

Salary: $52,789 annually (Level 5), plus comprehensive benefits

Location: Etobicoke, Ontario

Contract period: February 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027

Internal Application Deadline: Monday, January 5, 2026

External Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 7, 2026

JOIN OUR TEAM

YWCA Toronto strives to uphold anti-discrimination practices and anti-oppression principles to ensure that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected. We work to promote a climate that is welcoming of all women and individuals who identify as Trans, intersex, non-binary, agender, and/or Two-Spirit. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people from all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

ABOUT YWCA WOMEN IN TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY

The Women in Trades and Technology programs provide training and employment service to women and gender diverse people interested in joining the construction, landscape and information technology industries. Programs are funded by MTCU (Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities) and are geared to educate women and gender diverse people about career opportunities in non-traditional occupations and train them in trades-specific programs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans outreach activities for recruiting eligible participants for skilled trade training programs in consultation with the Manager and the training partners and collaboration with the marketing and outreach counsellors.
• Organizes all intake activities for the programs including arranging information sessions, preparing intake forms, confirming client’s attendance, and verifying applicants’ documentation.
• Provides individual counselling and coaching to the participants and assists them to develop individual training and apprenticeship plans.
• Supports participants towards achieving journeyperson status and/or Red Seal designation.
• Provides participants information and support to enter the trades through Pre-Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships, Trade Schools, Unions and Colleges as well as provide job development counselling, job coaching, and job retention support.
• Overall responsibility for Trade partner and participant relations including orienting partners to participant needs, mediating contentious issues, negotiating next steps to enter the trades.
• Develops, organizes and facilitates trades and employment readiness components of the program.
• Provides support to participants and conducts on-going evaluations of different skilled trades.
• Works closely with the Manager for coordinating, planning and implementing networking and outreach activities to training partners, educational institutions and/or employers.
• Identifies employers who are willing to offer paid or unpaid placements, designs work placements including wage subsidies incentives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of an undergraduate degree in Social Work, Adult Education, and/or Career Counselling or equivalent.
• 3-5 years’ experience in a related field.
• Group Facilitation and/or Life Skills Training required.
• Counselling approach that is flexible, de-escalates tension, teaches conflict resolution and is focused on success.
• Ability to work within an anti-oppression, feminist framework.
• Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to handle crisis situations effectively both in person and by telephone.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, E‑mail, the Internet, Zoom, MS Teams or other videoconferencing applications, database programs; knowledge of a Learning Management System is an asset.
• Ability to maintain a positive approach and a professional manner at all times.
• Owning a motor vehicle would be an asset.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit
• Multi‑Sector Pension Plan: Employer’s contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25%
• Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float Days
• Other Benefits: Child Care Benefits, Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits, Educational/Sabbatical Leave, and Financial Assistance for Professional Development

Vaccination Policy

In accordance with YWCA Toronto’s COVID‑19 Vaccination Policy, all YWCA Toronto employees, students and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain all COVID‑19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Toronto Public Health.

A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring.

YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is within the Bargaining Unit.

For internal applicants, this position is secondable. If you are an internal candidate, please indicate this on your cover letter.

EEO and Accommodation

YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti‑oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

YWCA Toronto is a Scent‑Sensitive Workplace.

Posting Date: December 23, 2025