Partnership Activities - Western Local Board Areas

Partnership Activities - Western Local Board Areas
Local Boards Network.... Champions of Ontario Labour Market Solutions
Local Boards continue to collaborate and share ideas, strategies and strive to maximize resources. Our projects and partnerships are
great examples of our local capacity to bring people together to identify, plan, implement results-based labour market solutions.
This publication showcases the activities of the eight local board areas in the western region including Niagara, Hamilton, Grand Erie,
London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Sarnia-Lambton, Grey Bruce and Windsor-Essex-Kent.
We lead in our communities by:
• interpreting local data
• providing on-the-ground intelligence and connections
• strengthening relationships in our community
• leveraging community strengths to address common issues, among and across geographic boundaries
• demonstrating our neutrality
• bringing community stakeholders together to discuss, examine and build solutions to address local labour market challenges
• knowing how business is done in our communities
• connecting people to strengthen outcomes
• understanding our communities, knowing the demographics, creating labour market planning approaches that work for our
areas
Local Boards of Ontario, as a cross-provincial network, have collectively delivered over 1000 partnerships since 1997.
Check us out at www.localboards.on.ca
This Employment Ontario project is funded by the Ontario government.
The views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect those of Employment Ontario.
Partnership Activities
Workforce Planning Board
of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin
Move from “I lost my job!” to “I will get through this!”
This project is designed to promote the local resources available
to adjusted workers in Waterloo and in Wellington and Dufferin
counties. The brochures include pull-out cards on services around
well-being, finances, the labour market, job search and training and
make workers aware of the options available to them. These brochures are available through the Workforce Planning Board (WPB),
local Action Centres and employment resource centres.
Research: Future Growth
To assist with local labour market planning, a report will be developed
identifying the top 3 to 5 industries in the area poised for future
growth. WPB is developing this report with input from the Region of
Waterloo Forward Community Infrastructure Group which consists
of local employers and community leaders in the Waterloo Region.
The report will be distributed throughout the community.
Research: Immigrant underemployment
In partnership with the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment
Network, WPB is undertaking a research project around Immigrant
Employment. The project will determine which immigrants, with different fields of study, are more likely to find work in their field. The
project will also break out results by period of immigration.
Health Care Symposium
This health care sector consultation is the next step in the healthcare
human resources needs process. The event provides area educators,
trainers and employers the opportunity to discuss what local actions
should be taken to address the issues outlined in the November 2008
session and who could, or should, be involved with each action.
LMI for Educators
WPB is developing labour market information bulletins for career
and guidance counsellors in the local school boards who sometimes
lack time to source labour market information. Over the year, 6 labour market bulletins will be distributed to the schools. The topics
will be chosen based upon input from Student Success and OYAP
Coordinators with the local school boards.
Research: Non Traditional Careers for Women
WPB will research the top 20 non-traditional careers for women using Statistics Canada census data. From this research, a report will
be written identifying sectors and careers of interest. The report will
also include career sheets on the Top 20 non-traditional careers for
women with details on responsibilities, NOC Codes, salaries, education and training where possible. These reports will be distributed
to action centres and local school boards.
Youth expectations in Dufferin County
An event for youth in Dufferin County will be organized in November. The event will discuss youth employment expectations, their
understanding of the local labour market and the most effective
ways of marketing career information to them. The youth being
targeted for this event are from the local high schools.
Intergenerational Conference
WPB is organizing a half-day conference around the multigenerational workplace and its unique challenges. The event is for business
and HR leaders in Wellington and Dufferin counties. Our partners in
this event will be the local chambers of commerce.
Other Projects
Source One Job Fair Coordination Project
This initiative works directly with youth employment service providers, local youth and employers to coordinate job fairs across
Waterloo Region and Wellington County. The goal of this project
is to consolidate youth job fairs across these regions and provide
more direct contact between youth and the employers looking to
hire them. Funding is from the government’s Youth Employment
Strategy however job fairs are open to jobseekers of all ages.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
Scholarships
A partnership with the local labour councils and OYAP Coordinators
to provide eight (8) $500 scholarships annually to OYAP students in
all four (4) WPB area school boards who are going into an apprenticeship after high school graduation.
KnowledgeShare
The mentor program, with its database of senior volunteer members, is a vehicle for the sharing of seniors’ knowledge and expertise
with younger workers. Its aim is to ensure the effective transfer of
the acquired skills, knowledge and experience of older workers to
younger workers and to address the aging workforce demographic
and the subsequent loss of expertise.
Partnership Activities
Workforce Planning Board
of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin
Making Cents of Abilities Coalition
The coalition seeks to provide a central access point for local employers to find information to support them in the hiring/retention of
persons with disabilities and to create community awareness of the
skills and talents of persons with disabilities. The steering committee
for this coalition includes representatives from the local chambers,
government, schools, businesses and organizations that work with
persons with disabilities.
SPP - Social Purchasing Portal
A collaborative group of employers, purchasers, suppliers and employment agencies are working together to achieve sustainable
employment for the long term unemployed or hard to employ in
Waterloo Region. The Social Purchasing Portal (SPP) is a region-wide
initiative that gives local businesses the opportunity to make regular
purchases based on quality, price and service while also helping long
term unemployed persons in their community achieve employment.
The 4 year project is currently in its 3rd year.
Speakers Bureau
The Speakers Bureau is a resource to assist students with their
career exploration through first-hand interaction with speakers
from various occupations. WPB’s Executive Director and other WPB
directors regularly speak to students about local labour market
information.
SCWI - School /College/ Work Initiative
The SCWI team works to expand and link more secondary school
courses to college programs, and create communication pieces that
encourage high school students to select college as a first choice
post-secondary option.
Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network
WRIEN is a forum for local strategies, to help ensure that the skills
of immigrants are more optimally used to benefit immigrants and
their families, our economy and the community as a whole. WPB
has a seat on the Steering Committee.
Carol Simpson, Executive Director
519-622-7122
[email protected]
www.workforceplanningboard.com
Partnership Activities
Hamilton Training Advisory Board
Local Labour Market Information
Community Access Project
HTAB will explore the feasibility of creating a readily accessible LMI
hub for the community including the latest census information, indicator updates and other LMI resources developed by HTAB or links
to other reliable sources. To enhance and strengthen this project, we
are exploring a regional approach with partners Niagara Workforce
Planning board and the Grand Erie Training & Adjustment Board.
The goal is to position Local Boards as the ‘go-to’ source for LMI.
Supply and Demand Study for Hamilton
The Supply & Demand study will involve the collection, compilation
and analysis of up-to-date labour market information for Hamilton to
determine what skills are in demand by sector/industry in Hamilton
and what skills are available/growing or in decline. It will answer questions like what is the transferability of these workforces – between
sectors – between jobs. The study will also provide recommendations about strategies to be developed to support our community’s
labour market challenges and will provide a strong foundation for
labour market planning.
Key Sectors, Occupation and Skills Analysis for Hamilton
This project will research the Canadian Business Patterns data to
determine the sectors experiencing growth in our community. We
will develop a profile of each sector. The profile will include a sample
list of employers, occupational analysis and skills requirement. This
information will be published as a full report as well as two userfriendly guides for job seekers and students in Hamilton.
Laid-off Workers - Strategy Development
This project will bring together community agency leads and others who support laid-off workers in our community to consider
the development of a strategy that supports all laid-off workers in
the community. Specifically this project will examine specialized
supports required by laid off workers; review materials developed
for laid-workers by Local Boards with a view to adapting these
strategies/resources for use in Hamilton; identify gaps in service or
pathways for laid-off workers; and develop and document a strategy
that ensures that laid off workers receive appropriate service and
support in a timely manner.
Educating Employers About Youth Talent
In 2008-09, HTAB worked on a project that highlighted the expectations of youth with respect to employers and employment. Recommendations from this report included follow up with employers
to determine their expectations and needs and in particular, an
exploration of the differences between employer and youth assessment of skills Research would include surveys and focus groups with
employers that parallel the work done with youth. The final report
would highlight recommendations and a community strategy to
better support youth employment.
Collaborative Planning and Other Initiatives in Hamilton
There is a wide range of collaborative and other planning initiatives
underway in Hamilton working to address and strengthen Hamilton’s capacity to provide quality human services. This project will
develop a summary report that describes the partners and nature
and/or framework of these initiatives and plans. In addition, HTAB
will host a facilitated community networking meeting that invites a
lead representative from each of these initiatives to share information
on their work and explore opportunities for collaboration
Other HTAB Projects
Tech 2009
HTAB plans to host its tenth anniversary TECH event promoting
non-traditional occupations in trades and technology to young
women. This one day event brings together women experienced
in trades and technology occupations to work with young women
interested in exploring occupations.
Face to Face: Job, Employment & Training Fair
HTAB will host its fourth FACE to FACE event. This one day event
has traditionally been a job fair only.
With the downturn the economy there was no certainty that there
would be adequate jobs available for a job fair. So, we have expanded
this event to include exhibits from employment and training services
opportunities in the community. A roster of speakers will present
on Second Career, the experience of job loss, LMI, etc.
Access Hamilton
HTAB is working in partnership with Mohawk College on an employer engagement project. HTAB’s role is to support and promote
community awareness of the project. Specifically we are working
to engage a broad group of community service providers in a collaborative approach to employer support and job development.
Community Mapping Project
The Skills Development Flagship (SDF) has received funding through
MCSS funding to the City of Hamilton – Community Services to develop a community mapping model. This mapping tool will identify
and analyze the broad spectrum of workforce development services
with a view to improving and integrating current service delivery
in Hamilton. This project will rely on the use of an on-line technology platform to gather and distribute information. HTAB has been
contracted to do this work on behalf of the SDF.
Partnership Activities
Hamilton Training Advisory Board
Progressive Employer Guide
HTAB in partnership with Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction is developing a guide to best practices that promote corporate
social responsibility. This guide will assist employers by providing
strategies to decrease the costs of recruitment; ideas to help them
find creative ways to retain their staff; and suggestions to increase
their employees’ job satisfaction while improving their reputation
as a ‘top’ employer in the community. All ideas presented can be
implemented at little cost to their business, but could pay significant
dividends in the future. Included in this guide will also be a comprehensive guide to human resource services available in Hamilton.
Career Guides
HTAB continues to support career options available in the community. To date we have developed career guides for six key sectors in our local economy including healthcare, horticulture, arts
& culture, hospitality & tourism, construction and transportation
& warehousing. These are distributed through the school boards,
employments service agencies and libraries. This year our guide
will focus on skilled trades occupations.
Second Career Profiles
To support career options for Second Career applicants, HTAB has
developed over 100 career profiles that assist second career and
other skills development applicants in their training application
process. Additional thirty or so profiles are yet to be developed
and we are planning to make these profiles available on-line in a
searchable format.
Judy Travis, Executive Director
905-521-5777
[email protected]
www.htab.ca
Partnership Activities
Niagara Workforce Planning Board
Niagara Human Resource Sharing:
Helping Employers, Helping Employees
This project is designed to examine the feasibility of an employee
mobility model that supports employees temporarily transitioning
from one employer to another within Niagara’s manufacturing sector.
In Partnership with the Niagara Industrial Association, we will look at
the potential benefits and barriers that will impact all stakeholders
involved. The concept has been identified by the NIA members in
an attempt to best support the organizations during busy and slow
periods, while ensuring that employees are not being faced with
layoffs or exhaustive work weeks.
Region of Opportunity...Linking Students to Business
Design and implement a pro-active graduate retention strategy
that links post-secondary graduating students with employers from
key economic sectors across Niagara. This strategy will showcase
the region’s diverse economic base and potential employment
opportunities. Students will become informed about existing and
emerging sectors, related occupations by sector, employer expectations, and what it takes to get the competitive advantage. Employers
will gain direct access to graduating talent and have an opportunity
to showcase their organization, its position in the global economy
and strengths as a potential employer.
Local Labour Market Information
Community Access Project
NWPB will explore the feasibility of creating a readily accessible LMI
hub for the community including the latest census information,
indicator updates and other LMI resources developed by NWPB or
links to other reliable sources. To enhance and strengthen this project,
we are exploring a regional approach with partners Hamilton Training
Advisory Board and the Grand Erie Training & Adjustment Board. The
goal is to position Local Boards as the ‘go-to’ source for LMI.
Labour Market 101
Create a clear language labour market resource that will provide
relevant labour market information to assist the career decisionmaking process. Resource will target students, parents, and educators
at the secondary and post-secondary level.
Needs Analysis for Small Business Supports
Conduct a workforce development needs assessment of small and
medium-sized employers, by employee size, to identify specific
need areas.
Niagara’s Small Business Support System
Research local supports in place to support small businesses across
Niagara. Create an information resource that details what services
are available, who provides these services, accessibility criteria,
etc. Resource will be shared with local providers of services, local
libraries and other identified points of access for those operating
small businesses in the region.
Building a Skills Matching System Across Sectors
Examine Niagara’s high growth and declining industries to profile
common skills and competencies across related rising and declining
demand occupations, informing potential labour supply movement
and skills retention strategies.
Other NWPB Projects
Integrated Local Labour Market Planning - Secretariat
In June 2008, the Niagara region was selected by the Ministry of
Training, Colleges and Universities as one of seven demonstration
pilot sites to test a new approach to labour market planning. The
planning framework is built on the premise that a coordinated
planning model with shared accountability between government
and community will best support the local economic base, both
existing and emerging. ILLMP links education and training programs
to growing and emerging occupations. It responds to the labour force
needs of business and industry respecting business size, composition
and uniqueness. It strengthens Niagara’s ability to serve and support
its residents in a client-centred approach.
Niagara Newcomer Employment Initiative
Serving as the host organization, Niagara Workforce Planning Board
supports the establishment and operations of the Niagara Immigrant Employment Council. This initiative was created to support
Niagara’s capacity to attract, integrate and retain immigrants, further
enhancing the diversity and economic prosperity of the region.
Niagara Immigrant Employment Council consists of multiple-sector
stakeholders from across the region, including businesses, community organizations, occupational regulatory bodies, government
and the immigrant community.
Responding to Occupational Needs in Emerging Clusters
Increase understanding, knowledge, and regional capacity to respond to the occupational needs of identified emerging clusters in
Niagara including niche bio-product manufacturing, digital media
and software development, environmental, energy and other “green”
technologies, health and wellness, and life sciences.
Partnership Activities
Niagara Workforce Planning Board
Niagara Employment Expo
Now entering its 4th year, this event brings together employers
and job seekers to support employer recruitment in the Niagara
Region. This past year saw 46 employers participate and over 2200
job seekers attend the one day event. Funding is being sought for
March, 2010.
Niagara Career Portal
Customize and administer a centralized Niagara “destination of
choice” web portal to support employer recruitment and attraction
across all skill levels. This portal will profile employment opportunities in the region, support recruitment efforts of local employers,
compliment existing job vacancy promotion efforts, add value to
immigrant attraction and integration strategies, and create a channel
for specialized job searches relevant to specific search parameters
(skill, education or sector). The web platform will incorporate features
that prompt networking applications among employers and will
enable ease of linkage with existing recruitment and promotion
channels.
Local Labour Market Analysis
Research data chart piece done every month outlining the following stats; Ontario Works, employment rate, EI claims, number of
hours required for claim, number of weeks eligible, new EI eligible,
number of EI stopped, closures & job loss, sector the closures and
job losses were in, action centre data, second careers, job growth
and sector of job growth.
Professional Development Series for Career Practitioners
As a request from the Executive Directors of the Niagara Employment Agencies, six high quality-learning modules were designed
to provide Career Practitioners with practical knowledge that they
can take back and immediately apply on the job the next day.
Modules include Networking, Overcoming Barriers, Overcoming
Barriers: Age, Labour Market Information, Career Assessments and
Motivating Yourself & Others. Each participant will receive 21 hours
of hands on training, a Facilitator Guide, PowerPoint on CD, and
Career Assessment Overviews on CD.
Take CARE of Your Future (Career Awareness & Resource
Exploration) Camp
This March Break Camp provides 24 Niagara high school students
with hands-on experience using a variety of medical equipment,
simulation activities and job shadowing opportunities. Students
explore various aspects of careers and have direct contact with over
40 professional in the health care sector.
Making Cent$ of Apprenticeship
Update 2009
A revision to the 2005 Making Cent$ of Apprenticeship Booklet
for employers and employees with up to date information on tax
credits, signing bonuses, list of eligible trades, etc.
Niagara Industrial Association
NWPB acts as secretariat for this newly established association that
represents manufacturing and industry in the Niagara region. The
NIA’s mission is to identify and lead on issues that affect Niagara
industry and to advocate initiatives, which will enable its continued
growth and development.
Trudy Parsons, Executive Director
905-641-0801
[email protected]
www.niagaraworkforceboard.ca
Partnership Activities
Grand Erie Training and Adjustment Board
Manufacturing Analysis
This tri-county study will examine the structural and employment
changes in manufacturing between 2003, 2007, and 2008 to identify
both systemic and economic dependant changes. These findings
will be used to assist our local colleges adjust training programs to
better meet the needs of the local economy and to help inform the
economic development strategies within the region. Additionally, an
occupations analysis of emerging manufacturing will be completed
to assist individuals make informed choices prior to engaging in
Second Career and other skills development training.
Agri-Business and You
Building on previous events held to assist the agriculture community develop business and work opportunities in agriculture, this
one-day agri-forum will introduce senior level students and youth
from the area to informational workshops on emerging and addedvalue agriculture ventures, research and technology, bioscience,
biotechnology, and agriculture business planning.
Apprenticeship Pathway Literature Review
Much of the apprenticeship information available speaks to pathways for students still in secondary school. This project will bring
together apprenticeship, employers, and employment services who
are working with adults in transition to determine the suitability
of information, and to recommend adult-specific communication
tools.
Building an Inclusive Workplace
Aboriginal populations experience higher levels of unemployment
than the general population. Working with Employer Connections,
a committee of Six Nations of the Grand, this initiative will develop
human resource strategies to help employers build a culturally
sensitive culture within their workplace.
Career Cluster Forums
Employers engaged in innovative and emerging technologies in
bioscience, green/environmental technologies, alternative energy,
advanced manufacturing, and the new agri-food sector will be invited to participate in a mini-forum to highlight their new initiatives
and to talk about the emerging occupations in these sectors and
how the community (education, training, etc.) can help prepare job
seekers for these future jobs.
Job Development Network
During tough economic conditions, job developers face additional
challenges as they seek opportunities for their clients. The job
developer network will provide a networking opportunity to share
resources, access information and opportunities for clients, and
develop shared professional development strategies and training.
Broadband Internet
Access to online learning, training, and employment support and
job banks is hampered in the rural communities where high speed
internet is not available. In addition, residents of these areas are
also affected by a lack of transportation to local services. GETAB in
partnership with the Norfolk District Business Development Corp.
and Fanshawe College is exploring the feasibility of broadband
service to the area.
Spinning Your Wheels
Working in partnership with community services in Haldimand and
Norfolk Counties, GETAB and partners are entering the 3rd phase of
bringing a transportation system into the area. Following a feasibility
study completed in May 2009, a business plan is underway and will
be submitted outlining three transportation phases: a coordinated
network of volunteer drivers; county-specific mini-routes, and an
integrated county-to-county bus services. These strategies are
being built on the recommendations and findings of community
consultations and surveys with over 2400 residents and employers
in the Haldimand and Norfolk communities.
Men@Work Skilled Trades Forum
This forum brings together male secondary students (we alternate
years for female and male students), skilled trade mentors and
educators as they explore career and educational paths to the
skilled trades. This forum provides professional trades people with
a unique opportunity to develop their own professional relationships while enhancing the experiential learning of students, teachers
and employers.
Way to Work
Entering the workforce for the first time can be challenging at the
best of times, but during the recent economic downturn it will be
more difficult as many entry-level jobs have disappeared. The Way to
Work will provide our youth with an opportunity to learn job search
strategies and connect to the many services within our community
who can help them through the transition.
Immigrant Settlement Transition, Employment and Partnerships (ISTEP)
A task force of newcomers, business, and community service organizations recently undertook ground-breaking research into
immigrant transition into our urban/rural mid-tier community.
Using a strength-based perspective, this community-base research
included the perspectives of both service providers and newcomers on employment, training, education, social factors and health.
Proposals are now being implemented to create an Immigrant Employment Network that will contribute to the economic prosperity
and stability of the region.
Partnership Activities
Grand Erie Training and Adjustment Board
Local Labour Market Information Hub
GETAB will explore the feasibility of creating an accessible, easy to
use, LMI hub for the community in response to an identified need
during community consultation and planning. This site will provide
the community access to the most recent census data, indicator
updates, region-specific research and links to relevant provincial
and national data. GETAB is exploring this initiative in partnership
with the Niagara Workforce Planning Board and the Hamilton Training Advisory Board in order to maximize resources and to position
Local Boards as a primary source of LMI.
“I LOST MY JOB!” – “I will get through this!”
Using RRTS funds, GETAB developed a simple, use-friendly toolkit
of resources to help laid-off workers and their families cope with
the impact of unemployment. The kit was designed for use across
the province and allows local boards across Ontario to add local
contact and resources to the core message.
Haldimand-Norfolk Youth Career and Volunteer Fair
Plans are underway to host the 6th Annual Career and Volunteer
Fair for youth in November 2009. Featuring interactive displays,
representatives from key industries and businesses introduce youth
to various occupations by demonstrating aspects of the work that
takes place within their industry.
Forces@Work
This quarterly report is designed to create dialogue with industry
on key issues and challenges affecting our local labour market.
Topic areas relate to the priority issues identified in the Trends, Opportunities and Priorities Report and allow continued discussion
and planning.
Jill Halyk, Executive Director
519-756-1116
[email protected]
www.getab.on.ca
Partnership Activities
Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford Local Training Board
Literacy, Essential Skills, ESL Menu for Employers
This project is part of a larger two-year project, “Connecting Literacy
and Employment Through Essential Skills” led by Literacy Link South
Central. Introductory activities involving literacy, essential skills and/
or English as a Second Language that can be offered in the workplace will be compiled into a menu that will be tested with a small
group of employers. Refinements to the menu will be made based
on feedback from the test group and the tool will be distributed to
local employers.
SWEAP: The Next Generation
This will be an update to the SWEAP document released four
years ago. The new edition will include careers that have
emerged since the original publication.
For a complete list of over 25 partnerships currently
underway at EMOLTB, contact the office.
Dealing with Business and Human Resources Issues
The development of youth-friendly business planning materials
and tools to support youth who have business ideas they would
like to explore. This is part of a larger project that will research and
develop a social enterprise run by students.
Elgin Labour Force Strategy
The Workforce Development Plan is an Elgin-St. Thomas initiative
of Economic Development, education, community agencies, and
business organizations to help address the workforce challenges:
• Collectively creating a policy framework and a community
infrastructure that support improvements in both the quantity
and quality of the labour supply pool
• Ensuring that Elgin-St. Thomas has the workforce it needs to
achieve its economic development goals
Small and Medium Business Employment Change Reports
This project will build upon the Labour Market Indicators for the
EMOLTB area. Using the Canadian Business Patterns information
for December 2008 and June 2009, in-house information will be
prepared for indicators 1, 2 and 3 for businesses up to 200 employees. This will allow us to focus on small to medium employers in
the EMOLTB region. A consultant will combine the Labour Market
Indicators information provided by EMOLTB staff with other LMI
to determine key areas of change. A series of sector specific focus
group discussions will be held with local employers from these key
areas to identify the reasons behind the growth or decline.
This process will be repeated twice in the year with a report to the
community developed and distributed in June and November.
An evaluation component will include feedback from participants
in the focus group discussions, an on-line survey for feedback on
the report to the community, and recommendations on improving
both the process and the resulting document.
During the term of the project, additional partners will be encouraged to join the partnership and a budget for continuation of the
project through collaboration of the partners will be developed.
Debra Mountenay, Executive Director
519-672-3499
[email protected]
www.localboard.on.ca
Partnership Activities
South Western Ontario Industry Education Council
The South Western Ontario Industry Education Council (SWOIEC)
has served in the role of the Local Board for Windsor, Essex and now,
Chatham Kent. Along with supporting the newly-formed Workforce
Development Board Windsor Essex on the development of the
Integrated Local Labour Market Plan demonstration projection,
SWOIEC led the planning, production and distribution of the Trends,
Opportunities and Priorities Report 2009 for Chatham Kent.
Upskilling Program
The South Western Ontario Industry Education Council offered
guidance in the development and delivery of an Upskilling Program for displaced workers in the Machinist, Tool and Die and
Mouldmaking sector linking Labour Adjustment Committees with
industry representatives actively diversifying into non-automotive
manufacturing areas including oil and gas and aerospace. Students
received training in a number of areas including Computerized
Numerical Control (Lathe) and Wire Electrical Discharge (EDM)
Machines. This short-term program was purchased by the CAW
195 Adjustment Committee and resulted in 100% employment for
all twenty participants.
Health Care Career Expo
Partnering with the Leadership Windsor Essex Program, students
from every secondary school in Windsor Essex were offered the
opportunity to explore a variety of careers in the field of health care.
Employers and employer associations representing nursing, pharmacy, pharmaceutical manufacturing, social work and dental careers
were on hand as students toured and participated in topic-specific
workshops throughout the day. A Health Care Career Prospectus
was distributed as a post-event student reference tool.
Job Search Manual
The Cashing In job search manual continues to be widely requested
and utilized across the province. This very practical document
looks at how a job seeker can give themselves the competitive
edge in job search through the use of researched cover letters,
target marketing and personal networking techniques. Strategies
for preparing for a behaviour-based interview are also addressed.
This manual is particularly helpful for the older worker who may not
have participated in a job search for several years.
Career Forum for Guidance Counsellors in Chatham Kent
The goal of this event was to assist guidance counselors and educators in Chatham Kent to provide current and accurate information
on the variety of career opportunities that exist. Following a timely
discussion by keynote speaker, David Foote, on the impact of demographics on current and future career prospects, participants
visited multiple presentations by representatives from a wide array
of careers including construction, transportation, health care and
tourism.
Take a Walk in My Shoes
This partnership between the South Western Industry Education
Council and Windsor Regional Hospital paved the way for a group
of carefully selected secondary school students to experience a
day-in-the-life of individuals working in the health care field. The 14
students were placed one-on-one with twenty different mentors to
observe people at work in fields like nursing, social work, pharmacy,
Diagnostic Imaging, Radiation and Facilities management.
Second Career Symposium for Job Seekers in Windsor
Essex
This trade show conducted in Windsor Essex allowed job seekers to
discuss career opportunities in a wide array of occupational sectors.
Widely promoted through local media and labour adjustment committees, the event was attended by over 350 people from the local
area. Sector council representatives from areas like BioTalent, Oil
and Gas and EcoCareers joined representatives from more familiar
sectors like health care and tourism to discuss options and existing
opportunities in their sectors. Along with a trade-show format,
occupation-specific workshops were conducted throughout the day.
College and university representatives we present as well as those
service providers with a direct connection to assisting job seekers
in determining their suitability for funded training options.
Ace the Interview and Cashing In Job Search Workshops
A series of job search workshops were conducted throughout the
year in both Chatham Kent and Windsor Essex. These unique one-day
workshops match job seekers with employers to receive one-on-one
advice on cover letters, resumes and networking. Mock interviews
are also conducted and critiqued. While it is always clearly stated
that participating employers are not necessarily in a hiring position,
several ‘matches’ have taken place resulting in employment.
Diane Soucie
519-250-3959
[email protected]
www.swoiec.com
Partnership Activities
Sarnia Lambton Workforce Development Board
Generational Sensitivity
Cashing In
Literacy and Essential Skills
Employer Appreciation Breakfasts
Local employers report that inter-generational communication
barriers are impeding the knowledge transfer from their experienced
but older workforce to well-educated but inexperienced new hires.
Working with HR, college and business stakeholders, SLWDB will
lead the development of an inter-generational workshop aimed at
equipping employers with strategies to bridge the communication
gap.
Low literacy and essential math skills among the workforce continue
to impact productivity according to feedback shared by local employers during the 2008 TOP community consultations. SLWDB will
organize a symposium in partnership with local literacy organizations
and Lambton College Job Connect to help increase employer awareness of existing programs and resources to assist with workplace
literacy and essential skills.
Need to Read
For many workers laid off during the recent economic downturn,
the job market is a different place than it was 10 or even five years
ago. An employer-led conference will give approximately 50 adult
job seekers real-world feedback on effective job search techniques
and allow them to sit through mock-interviews. All participants will
receive a job search manual outlining comprehensive job search
strategies and resources for employment counseling.
An Employer Appreciation Breakfast is held in Sarnia and in Chatham
with approximately 125 in attendance. The breakfast is an opportunity to thank employers that have given co-op placements to
students. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities partners
with us to recognize employers that have hired apprentices in their
place of employment.
Co-operative Education Fair
SLWDB was one of many sponsors for this May 2009 communitysupported literary festival. Highlights from the week long event
include: 100 books wrapped and hidden throughout Sarnia Lambton
for individuals to find and keep; a GenreCon program for individuals to learn how to write books and author readings to over 500
students.
The Cooperative Education Fair is an opportunity to recognize
students who did an exceptional job in the creation of a visual
representation of their placement experience. Lambton Kent secondary schools are invited to submit their two best boards and a
team of local media representatives are given the task of selecting
the winners. Awards are presented in the category of Best Overall
Board, Most Creative and Most Informative.
Beyond City Limits
Careers on Tour
SLWDB helped sponsor this Southwestern Ontario rural tourism
conference in May 2009 to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs
tap into rural tourism opportunities and learn about best practice
models.
Business Week Events
SLWDB is an active member of the community’s Business Week
Committee which hosts workshops targeting small business.
This one-day event provides secondary school educators and guidance counselors with an opportunity to keep abreast of changes to
local employer’s recruiting practices. Participants directly ask local
employers which courses and pre-courses they recommend to for
students to gain employment within their organizations.
First Nations Technology Information Sessions
SLWDB is sponsoring a professional development event for women
in the rural area to provide information on employment and training
services available within the community.
SLWDB in partnership with local First Nations organizations and
employers from the petro-chemical industry will connect First
Nation mentors from the community’s local petrochemical industry
with First Nation students. The sessions inform students about the
opportunities in the petrochemical cluster including educational
requirements and rates of pay.
Job Fair at Bayside Centre
Parent – Student Technology Night
Rural Women’s Event
SLWDB will organize the popular Job Fair at the downtown Sarnia
Bayside Centre. The event connects employment readiness agencies
and local employers with job seekers. Previously between 400 and
500 individuals visited the fair.
SLWDB in partnership with Lambton College, school boards and
employers in the petro-chemical industry, will invite over 4,000
students and their families to a Technology Information Night at
Lambton College. Parents and students learn about: future job
opportunities in local industry and beyond the area, the nature of
these jobs and some myths and facts about working in local industry
and secondary school pathways.
Partnership Activities
Sarnia Lambton Workforce Development Board
RESEARCH
Equitable public transport
Without a publicly funded rural transportation service, residents
living outside the City of Sarnia who don’t have access to a vehicle
are at a disadvantage when competing for jobs. Additionally rural
businesses are potentially at a disadvantage in recruiting from the
immediate area. Local government stakeholders – The County Warden
and various mayors – have put the issue on their political agenda
and SLWDB is taking the lead on a research exercise to identify
successful rural transportation models from other communities.
Recommendations will be presented at County Council.
Labour Market Partnership Project
Funded by Employment Ontario through the Ministry of Training,
Colleges and Universities, this 14-month research project which
will aim to identify the current and anticipated critical training and
talent gaps in Sarnia Lambton, and then develop a locally-driven,
forward-thinking workforce development strategy to address those
gaps. The three phase project – baseline analysis, employer survey
and workforce strategy development – is supported by a Steering
Committee of senior community decision-makers from the Sarnia
Lambton Economic Partnership, the Chamber of Commerce, The
University of Western Ontario’s Research Park, Lambton College,
the Industrial Educational Cooperative, OMAFRA and the County
of Lambton.
Directory for Persons with Disabilities
The directory is updated yearly to provide people with disability
information on training and education, income and employment
programs, health services, equipment, housing, transportation,
support services and volunteer opportunities. One of SLWDB’s most
requested publications.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Personal Support Worker Project
During the 2008 TOP community consultations, a sector-specific
discussion was held for the SLWDB’s Health Sector Reference Group
Committee to follow-up on the HR recommendations made in the
January 2008 Time for Action report. One of needs identified in the
consultation was the current shortage of personal support workers, a
critical occupation in the under-served rural area of Sarnia-Lambton.
SLWDB will work with health sector partners to launch and equip a
rural classroom dedicated to training personal support workers.
Technology and Careers: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
PUBLICATIONS
In partnership with public schools and local nursing-retirement
homes, SLWDB manages a “Technology and Careers – Yesterday,
Today and Tomorrow” program, providing Grade 8 students the
opportunity to explore potential careers and also to discover the
impact of technology on the workplace. Students are matched with
residents of nursing-retirement homes to learn about the resident’s
working life and research how their jobs would look today.
Global Talent - Employers
“Skills Work!®” Camps
(All publications are posted on the SLWDB website)
A follow-up to “Global Talent – A Newcomer’s guide to finding
employment in Sarnia Lambton”, this publication will profile local
employers who have proactively and successfully hired newcomers.
The publication is strategically aligned with the recruitment strategy
of the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership, and will be used as
a marketing tool to showcase and promote newcomer-friendly
employers.
Profile – Life in Sarnia Lambton
A fourth edition comprehensive community profile outlining 49
indicators of community health. Issues range from public safety and
arts and culture, to recycling and business growth. This document
is used extensively in the community by organizations using the
data for funding proposals.
In partnership with Lambton College and Skills Canada Ontario, two
summer skills camp sessions will be held for students going into
Grades 7 or 8. Students will be introduced to carpentry, horticulture,
welding and cooking through hands-on workshops.
Passport to Prosperity
SLWDB partners with the local school boards to take the lead on
projects that benefit students going from school to work, provide
opportunities for educators to meet with employers and assist in
finding employers willing to participate in career talks or co-op
opportunities for students.
Lambton Kent Youth Directory
Updated on an annual basis, this comprehensive guide provides
youth with the necessary information to make the important decisions as they transition into the workforce. It is distributed to schools,
employment and social related organizations.
Vicky Ducharme, Executive Director
519-332-0000
[email protected]
www.slwdb.org
Partnership Activities
Four County Labour Market Planning Board
Huron Perth Career Symposium
Host a Regional Career Symposium for Huron and Perth Counties. This two day event will be held in Seaforth and will heighten
awareness of local career opportunities and the employer needs in
both educational and skill requirements. Over fifty exhibitors will
attend with the expected audience to be members of the public and
students. It is expected that over 2,000 students will attend.
MedQuest Bruce Grey
The Local Board has been instrumental in bringing together partners
to address the need for a second Medical based week long camp in
Bruce and Grey Counties. Youth will explore the local careers in the
Healthcare field. They will job shadow, participate in hands-on activities in the Health Sector which includes a one day mock disaster.
Prior Learning Assessment Guide for Learners
With community partners we will develop a program that teaches
workers to identify and market portable and transferable skills. We
will make presentations to learner groups and distribute Guides
across our region.
Virtual Mentorship Program
Develop a Virtual Mentorship Portal to assist with small business
management tools. We will identify business champions or mentors willing to offer expertise and tips online to area businesses in
priority subjects such as Human Resources, Financing Resources
and Customer Relations. Marketing materials will also be developed
for use on a Website.
Post-secondary training loan program
Explore and develop pilot Micro-loans program for low/no income
earners to assist with access to training/skills development programs.
First Nations Skills Inventory
This project will provide a current inventory of skills and training
accomplishments and needs whereby gaps can be identified. Also,
identification of relevant training services within the First Nations
communities will promote the development of a healthy workforce
and provide First Nations people an opportunity to become a strong
partner in the local solution for workforce development.
Other FCLMPB Projects
First Time Full Time Student Conference
This all day conference is geared to high school students directly
entering the workforce. They are given the opportunity to take
training in areas such as: Safe Food Handling, WHMIS, First Aid,
Landscaping, Fork Life Operator, GPS, Customer Service and others.
These courses give the students additional qualifications to show a
prospective employer.
Girls Unlimited Conference
Grade 8 and 9 students will meet with female mentors to discuss
traditional and non-traditional careers. Workshops are held during
the day and a key-note speaker presents on today’s career opportunities.
Programs and Marketing Services Strategy
With partners, we will develop a marketing strategy and tools
to better promote traditional and e-learning options to the Four
Counties. We would distribute tool-kits to libraries, Municipal Offices
and employment agencies in the Board region.
Technical Training Model
We are investigating the possibility of adapting the Technical Training Group (TTG) Model for other sectors. This would allow outside
training to be offered locally and reduce costs to employers and
employees.
Bruce Grey Business Information Outreach
We will implement a Business Information Outreach program that
will profile the range of programs, services and information that
may contribute to business success. This tool will be used by employers.
Passport to Prosperity
This is the eleventh year that our Local Board has held the Ministry
of Education Contract. We work closely with Passport to continue
to support the Labour Market development of both youth and
adults
Skills Opportunities Showcase Mobile Unit
The Skills Opportunities Showcase will be a mobile one-stop shop
for Labour Market trends, opportunities and priorities within the
community. It will showcase Career development, and Apprenticeship
opportunities and benefits. Plus it will show training, services and
other programs offered by community partners.
Partnership Activities
Four County Labour Market Planning Board
Footprints Environmental Conference
This two day Environmental Conference is to showcase careers in the
Green Economy. The target audience is Grade 11 and 12 High school
students. There is a growing need to fill positions in local companies
that service the Green Economy. Partners include the Cyprus Lake
Federal Park at Bruce Peninsula and two school Boards.
What’s Important Now (WIN) Conference
A conference for front line workers held every 18 months. This conference focuses on immediate needs of these workers when working
with clients. Suggestions are submitted to the planning committee
through the Grey Bruce Community Partners and workshops are
offered based on interest. Twenty-four workshops are offered with
participants attending three for the day. A lunch keynote is based
on the What’s Important Now theme.
Marketing Adult Credentials to Employers
The marketing of an information package targeted to employers
to address the issue of education requirement. Employers need to
be made aware of the alternatives to a grade 12 diploma therefore
allowing workers with a lower level of education to attain well
paying employment. Employers need to also become aware of
essential skills.
Gemma Mendez-Smith, Executive Director
519-881-2725
[email protected]
www.planningboard.ca
Partnership Activities
Provincial Local Board Initiatives
Hamilton Training Advisory Board
Census Training Project
The primary goal of this project is offer practical and applied training
to Local Board staff with the 2006 census data provided to Local
Boards, including comparative analysis to previously purchased 2001
data sets. The training outcome is for Local Boards to gain competency
in understanding what data and how data applications can contribute
to their work; recognizing that detailed data interpretation or analysis
will, in most cases, require independent expertise. This will allow
them to design enhanced planning processes based on evidence
and inform research projects that build on and take full advantage of
the available census data. Ultimately this will support the Boards to
do evidence-based labour market planning in their communities.
Niagara Workforce Planning Board
Continuous Improvement Performance Measurement
System
NWPB will coordinate the implementation of the continuous improvement performance measurement system that benchmarks the annual
TOP report against the 2006-07 benchmark criteria. Individual local
boards will use the information provided to customize a continuous
improvement strategy that builds on best practices and advances
their effectiveness and relevancy in their local communities.
Grand Erie Training & Adjustment Board
Labour Market Indicator Project
GETAB is facilitating Phase IV of the Integrated Labour Market Indicator Project on behalf of the local boards of Ontario. After the
introduction of the indicators in TOP 2009 and a fully evaluation, steps
are underway to refine the indicators and to enhance the board’s
comfort level in data analysis. As part of Phase IV, local boards will
received additional training and a fully developed training manual
for future reference.
Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford Local Training Board
Workforce Focus
Workforce Focus is a bi-monthly insight into the labour markets of
the Western Region Local Board areas. Pertinent issues to community stakeholders are highlighted by statistical evidence, publication excerpts, and communications with local participants. It presents an evidence-based overview of current labour market trends,
stats, and a local snapshot by sector or demographics.
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