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Job Vacancy in Saskatchewan

There is a major job vacancy currently in Saskatchewan. Job vacancy is described as a job posting that had been vacant for over four months. Over 11,700 positions need to be filled in, which equals to a 3.6% vacancy rate. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says that Saskatchewan “has the highest job vacancy rate in the country for private sector companies”. This vacancy rate is tied with Alberta’s vacancy rate. They also state that the reason why there is so many job vacancies is due to the lack of specific skill requirements and pay levels, along with many others. The overall national vacancy percent was 2.4% from July to September.

I find this very shocking that they are so many job vacancies in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The population of these two provinces are relatively low so I presume that it is difficult to find people to fill in the necessary job positions. In Vancouver, this is not the case because it seems like no where is ever hiring – or if they are, people fill these spots quickly. According to the “Labour Market Snapshot” of British Columbia, the vacancy rate of BC in June 2012 was 1.6%, on par with Ontario and Newfoundland. They are the fifth highest in comparison to the Canada’s provinces.
(Source: Saskatchewan tied for highest job vacancy rate in Canada: CFIB, Labour Market Snapshot, Now Hiring IMG)

 

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Social Entrepreneurship gets Google Involved


Google Headquarters

Randy Haykin, Founder and Partner of Gratitude Network is hosting a social entrepreneurship event at Google’s headquarters. His aim for this conference is to improve and create radical changes in education. Previously held at Pixar, this conference is populated by many influential people from the entertainment, entrepreneurship, science and technology industry. Entrance fees will go into the award pool for three social entrepreneurship’s up to a total of $30,000 – known as “crowdfunding”. The three main aspects that this conference will focus on regarding education change is: process, business model, and technology. He hopes that this will spark innovation and allow people to share their “passion for improving education”.

I believe that this conference will be able to help many schools that lack the funding to have proper technology to finally be able to utilize these new technologies. Not only that, this conference will inspire many other future social entrepreneurs to aim to create such a big and successful event. However, as I read this article, it raised a few concerns to me as to where the $30,000 grand award will be finally utilized. Perhaps many people with the right mind set attending this conference will pay for the admission fee – but the final allocation of these fundings will not be entirely to the right cause.

At the end of the day, Haykin describes this as “labour of love. All because we want to make a global impact starting with education”.


(Source: Social Entrepreneurship Event at Google HQ Aims to Catalyze Change in Education, Google Headquarters, Gratitude Network)

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Windows Phone 8 Trying to become the Next Best Smartphone

Windows Phone 8 promotes their new and innovative way of being the next best smartphone. Claiming that Apple and Android have not come up with new ways to interact with the phone and the user since its discovery – Windows has found the solution and the way to make smartphones more personalized to the user. For one, Windows Phone 8 launches the new ‘live app’. This live app will allow apps to have continuous updates streaming from their app logo without having to press into the app. Not only that, but you can also see these live apps through your lock screen. Secondly, Windows Phone 8 is also promoting the new Kids Corner – where adults can safely give their phones to their children without having to worry about any important notes or files being deleted. One of the most important improvements and innovations is the Data Sense. The Data Sense is a “new feature built into Windows Phone 8 that keeps track of all your data in real time” by compressing Web pages so that your data will be able to last longer.

These new features of the Windows Phone 8 is very attractive to consumers. These apps and new ideas sound personable, friendly and fun to use. Windows has been very good with their innovative ideas and marketing strategies so far. Compared to brands like RIM – Windows is truly trying to outcompete their competitors, Apple and Android. With this new Windows Phone 8, many customers that do not have a specific preference for Apple, Samsung or other Androids may choose to go with this new and improved Windows Phone 8.

(Source: Windows Phone 8 Article, Windows Phone 8 IMG)

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iPad Mini to be Launched

Wall Street analysts presume that Apple will launch a smaller version of the iPad, called the iPad mini – to compete with other competitors such as the Amazon Kindle Fire HD Tablet and Google Nexus 7. An unnamed source claims that Apple will announce the product on October 23rd, three days before Windows announces its Windows 8 Surface tablet. This mini version of the iPad will be more accessible to consumers because it can fit easily into their pockets – on the go. This product however may not be launched at a proper time. Although Apple stocks are at 55%, they are down 10% from their highest record. Also, Amazon and Google have not had much luck with sales for their tablets; Apple’s new mini iPad may be the same. Ironically, former owner of Apple – Steve Jobs had strongly opposed to the idea of a 7″ screen tablet, saying that “the devices should come with sandpaper so that users can file down their fingers to use them”.

Personally, I do not think that Apple should launch the new iPad mini with their stocks looking unsteady at the moment. There are too many risks with introducing this “new” tablet that has already proven not much of a profit earner. With the new iPhone 5, Apple should lay low for a while and see how things go and perhaps stocks will rise again.

Source: iPad mini Launches on October 23, iPad mini Image

 

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