VCCS receives more provincial funding for job training

Ontario is investing $225,000 to help people in Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough train for good jobs in a variety of employment sectors, according to a press release from MPP Laurie Scott’s office.

“Jobs change lives,” said Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “Improving
employment services by focusing on the local needs of our community will help people upgrade
important skills employers are looking for and enable them to get back into the work force in high-demand sectors that will contribute to the province getting back on track. The “Filling the Gap” program will connect people to jobs and employers to people.”

“VCCS Employment Services Inc. is pleased to be able to deliver programming through the Skills
Catalyst Fund. Our project, Filling the Gap: Using Competency-Based Hiring and Portfolio Development to Connect Job Seekers and Employers is an integrated model which will bridge the disconnect between employers who have employment opportunities to fill and the job seekers who are looking for meaningful employment,” says Brenda Roxburgh, Executive Director of VCCS.

A $225,000 investment in the program run by VCCS will allow for training of 40 job seekers and 10 employers across a variety of local and regional industries where filling available employment opportunities has been a challenge. Participants in the program will represent those individuals who have been traditionally underrepresented in the labour market, including women, youth, persons with disabilities and newcomers/international students.

In-class training will begin in October. Training includes focused competency portfolio development prior to a job placement and an offer of employment by participating employers who will receive support and individualized training plan development and ongoing support.

“This community-based project will work in partnership with program stakeholders including those from Literacy and Essential Skills services, Workforce Development, and regional Employment Services service providers as well as dedicated employer partners. Through the implementation of competency-based hiring and portfolio development to highlight the skills of job seekers will enable employers to build a pipeline of talent to meet their hiring needs,” says Roxburgh.

“As our economy continues to reopen the need for, training and retraining is essential,” added Scott. “Projects like “Filling the Gap will connect people to the jobs they need and businesses to skilled workers.”

Provincewide, the government is investing $37 million in 86 projects to help thousands of job
seekers get the skills they need to become job ready. Local training is provided by university,
college, community and industry organizations.