EMPLOYMENT ONTARIO PROGRAMS AND SERVICES May 13, 2011

Objectives  Provide an overview of the components of the Employment Ontario Employment Services  Clarify how your clients can access services (referral)  Take a closer look at each component of EO Employment Services  Answer any questions that you may have

EMPLOYMENT ONTARIO  Employment Ontario helps Ontarians find work  Employment Ontario provide personalized advice and services to help people assess their skills and experience, find work and start on the path to skills training  Get the skills to succeed: Talk to a professional counsellor and get the help you need to plan your career, get training, and find a job through the Employment Services program  Find jobs: Where and how to seek employment opportunities

Employment Services  The Employment Ontario network of community service providers deliver employment services to individuals who require assistance in obtaining and sustaining employment. All services are provided in a single point of service within all communities in Ontario.  The Employment Ontario network is comprised of 174 Employment Service providers at 434 sites throughout Ontario.  Clients are able to access job search, placement and incentives, job retention instruction, information and referral services and service planning and co-ordination from a single point of service.

Components of the Employment Service

Client Service Planning & Coordination  EO service providers must determine an individual’s primary service need:  Use the Resource & Information component  Referral to other services (either before or concurrent with Employment Service)  Need for assisted Employment Service components

EO Providers will Consider…  Individuals’ employability dimensions  Interpersonal skills, work history, education  Suitability Indicators (further information)  The demands of the potential employer  Opportunities within the labour market  Labour market trends in the region  Job/Training opportunities

Resource & Information  Open access service for the community  No eligibility or access criteria (intake)  Includes:  Labour market information  Resources to support independent (unassisted) job search  Career clarification and planning  Information on local training opportunities, local employment opportunities, community service supports  Provides a means for employers to recruit employees

Workshops / Info Sessions  Orientation to Employment Services  Resume & Cover Letter  Job Search  Interview Skills  Labour Market Information / Career Exploration

Referral to Community Services  Referrals may be made at any point of client contact  Intake or one-on-one Employment Consultant will refer based on individual assessment  Ex: Language assessment, ESL, credential assessment, housing, financial planning, counseling services, etc.

Assisted Services  Eligibility criteria:  Unemployed  Not participating in full-time training or education  Underemployed – working less than an average of 20 hours per week

Suitability Factors  Willingness to begin employment  History of poor work retention; ineffective independent job search  Substantial time out of school, work or training  Lack of relevant, credible or Canadian work experience  Education/credentials from outside of Canada  Language skill level is a barrier to employment

Suitability Factors cont’d…  Low level of education attained  Disability  Age  Source of income  Self-identified as Aboriginal  Labour market change

Assisted Services / Case Management  Employment Service Plan is opened  Individualized assistance in career clarification and goal setting  Skills and interest assessment  Interview and employment preparation  Realistic and accurate assessment of qualifications compared to job requirements

Assisted Services cont’d…  As the client works with the service provider, a more in-depth analysis is undertaken  Additional service needs may be identified and provided or coordinated with other service providers (referral)

Job Search  Individualized support for conducting a successful job search  Encompasses clarification of interests, abilities, skills, short & long-term goals  Orientation to workplace: rules, employer expectations, Canadian workplace culture  Rights and responsibilities of employees  Preparation of tools – resume, applications, strategies  Information about access to language, credential assessment

Job Matching, Placement & Incentives  Provides matching and placement services to clients who are unlikely to succeed in conducting their own job search, even with support, because of barriers to employment

Job Matching, Placement & Incentives  Help to match client skills and interests with work opportunities  Help in facilitation of work opportunities and negotiation of the employment relationship on their behalf  Experiential or on-the-job training opportunities  Placement support – identify and resolve issues  Financial supports to help remove barriers

Job Matching, Placement & Incentives  Job development – proactive outreach to employers to identify opportunities  Employer support in identifying skills required and capabilities needed  Sensitivity/diversity training, workplace accommodation  Matching employer skill needs and participant capabilities and interests

Job Matching, Placement & Incentives  Placement opportunities with or without incentives, volunteer placement, job trial and on-the-job training opportunities  Development of a training plan and agreement, includes negotiation of financial incentives  Monitoring of placement and agreement to support success  Link participants with mentors and coaches to provide support during and after placement

Employment and Training Supports  Available on a temporary basis to address financial barriers to participation in Employment Services for assisted clients  Special equipment, supplies (e.g. safety boots)  Transportation  Work clothing/grooming needs to achieve credibility  Certification charges  As determined based on need

Job / Training Retention  Clients expect that their experience in the Employment Service will lead them on a path to sustained employment  Monitoring & follow-up  There may be a need for additional coaching / mentoring to maintain employment or complete training  Development of a support plan with the client and mentor

Job / Training Retention  Linking participants with mentors and coaches to provide support during and after job placement  Monitoring of the mentor/coach relationship with clients and its impact on workplace success  Make adjustments as required  Follow-up occurs continuously  With placement – positive 3 month follow-up – goal of sustainable employment reached - exit

Second Career Second Career provides laid-off workers with:  skills training to help them find jobs in high-demand occupations in Ontario  financial support Second Career provides up to $28,000 for:  tuition  books  other instruction costs such as manuals or workbooks  transportation  a basic living allowance  Second Career is a cost-sharing grant provided on the basis of need, so you may be asked to contribute what you can to your training or education.  Additional support may be available to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, dependent care, costs of living away from home and academic upgrading.

Second Career Individuals may be eligible for Second Career if they are:  are laid off or have been laid off since January  are unemployed or working an interim job.  are choosing to retrain for a career that is in demand. Second Career provides help to laid-off workers in need who will benefit most from training to find work. Several factors are considered when figuring out who will receive funding.  Active job search  Length of unemployment  Education background  Work history  Labour market prospects  Training request  Experience and occupational skills

Apprenticeship Programs  Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job and in-school training for employment in a skilled trade. On average, 90 per cent of training takes place in the workplace with instruction by certified journeypersons. The remainder involves classroom instruction delivered at a college of applied arts and technology or other approved training delivery agent.  There are more than 150 apprenticeship trades in four sectors: construction, industrial/manufacturing, motive power and service.  In Ontario, there are more than 120,000 apprentices learning a trade, which usually takes two to five years to complete both in-school training and on-the-job training to become a certified journeyperson.  Both EI and non-EI apprentices may be eligible for financial supports for in-school training and completion incentives from governments.  Apprenticeship programs are offered by different organizations, such as colleges and approved apprenticeship training deliverers. Individuals can find out local program offerings through Employment Ontario Hotline:

Apprenticeship Scholarship (AS)  Interest in the skilled trades  Must be committed to meeting the necessary academic requirements for the chosen program within one year  $500 awarded when registered for upgrading  $500 awarded upon confirmation of successful completion

Apprenticeship Employer Signing Bonus (AESB)  Employer must commit to a relevant apprenticeship training plan  Initial payment of $1000 when the training agreement is signed  Final payment of $1000 six months from the signing date if apprentice is still working and training with the same employer

Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program  The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program helps potential entrants to the apprenticeship system develop their job skills and trade readiness so that they will be prepared to find work as apprentices.  Programs are up to 40 weeks in duration and include the Level 1 apprenticeship in-school training, relevant safety training and a minimum 8- week work placement. Programs may also include trade readiness, employment preparation and academic upgrading.  There is no cost to participate in a pre-apprenticeship program, and costs for text books, safety equipment and tools are included.  Who can participate?  The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program is open to a wide range of clients including: High School graduates /Early school leavers Unemployed/underemployed youth and adults EI/Non-EI Eligible Aboriginal peoples Newcomers to Canada  Note: Certain eligibility criteria may apply to specific programs.

LITERACY AND BASIC SKILLS/ ACADEMIC UPGRADING The Ontario government’s Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) Program provides literacy, numeracy, and essential skills services. What Services Are Available?  LBS services, which includes in academic upgrading, are provided at No Cost to learners to improve Reading, Writing, Numeracy and Essential Skills, below the Grade 12 level. These services are offered through Local School Boards, Community based agencies, and Colleges.  The LBS Program also provides Academic Upgrading services to help learners get the skills they need for entry into Post-Secondary Education and Apprenticeship Training.  Employment Ontario can help you set upgrading goals and develop a training plan.  Flexible training options that fit your busy schedule are available through one-on-one tutoring, small-group instruction, or classroom instruction.  For those who want to learn how to use a computer, technology skills can be incorporated in the training plan. Who Can Participate?  The LBS Program is available to anyone who is out of school and communicates in English or French.  LBS services support programming for Anglophone, Francophone, Deaf, and Aboriginal learners.

The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) What is TIOW?  The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) is a federal-provincial-territorial cost- shared employment program created to provide a range of employment activities for older workers who live in vulnerable communities and who have lost their jobs. These activities include skills upgrading and work experience in new jobs to help them stay in the work force. The TIOW will target communities experiencing ongoing high unemployment and/or a high reliance on a single employer or industry (i.e. 20 per cent of the labour force) affected by downsizing or a closure or closures.  Projects will include activities such as skills assessment, counselling, skills upgrading and work experience for new jobs. Contribution agreements will establish the roles and responsibilities and eligibility parameters for the program Who does this program apply to: The program will apply to older workers aged 55 to 64 who have lost their jobs;  are legally entitled to work in Canada;  lack skills needed for successful integration into new employment; and  live in an eligible community.

Other Employment Ontario Services in Your Community  Ontario Job Creation Partnerships: is an employment program that provides work experience to unemployed job seekers within projects that benefit the community or local economy.  Ontario Self-Employment Benefit: This provides unemployed people who are or have recently been eligible for Employment Insurance with income and entrepreneurial support while they develop and start their business

Questions?

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