Story submitted by Dr. John Conrad, Director, Innovation and Business Engagement
Over the last couple of years, SLC‘s Innovation and Business Engagement department has conducted several workforce development projects directly or in partnership using SkillsAdvance Ontario (SAO) funding within the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD).
SAO connects employers with employment and training services with a focus on supporting job seekers with sector-specific training and connecting them with regional employers for sustainable employment. Job seekers also receive access to job readiness training and have access to other supports to ensure sustainable employment.
In order to foster more regional opportunities in workforce development, the Eastern Ontario Colleges Consortium (EOCC) was formed. The consortium members are St. Lawrence, Algonquin, Fleming, La Cité, and Loyalist colleges.
Here is a brief overview of current and recently completed projects.
Underway
- Health Services: EOCC, with SLC as the lead college, will train 500 job seekers and 500 incumbent workers in frontline care, food service, facilities, administration services, and supervisory jobs. Funds have also been provided to develop academic pathways to allow for greater upskilling within the sector.
- Construction: EOCC, with Algonquin College as lead, SLC will train 124 job seekers and 100 incumbent workers. An additional goal of the project is to build sustainable tiny homes with the possibility of distribution at project completion.
- Sheltered Waters: SLC will build curriculum and train job seekers to gain employment in the ferryboat industry in Eastern Ontario. This project is in partnership with KEYS Job Centre who is the project lead.
Recently Completed
- Hospitality and Tourism Fundamentals: SLC led the completion of a project in Smiths Falls and Kingston focused on supporting the Hospitality and Tourism sector. Outcomes: 2 community advisory groups with 23 community partners; creation of 8 micro-credentials; 53 participants completed 244 micro-credentials.
- Steel and Aluminum: As part of the EOCC over the last 30 months, the College has supported 36 employers in 9 communities; delivered 114 training opportunities; trained 1070 incumbent workers and 28 job seekers; developed 5 micro-credentials in Metallurgy; and secured a donation of metallurgy equipment for the College.
Project Videos
- Hospitality and Tourism Fundamentals
- Li-Cycle is making lithium-ion batteries a truly circular and sustainable product. Learn how the EOCC is helping Li-Cycle strengthen their business.
- Prysmian Group is a multinational company that manufactures electric power transmission and telecommunications cables and systems. Learn how the EOCC is helping Prysmian strengthen their business.
The success of these projects is reliant on strong collaborations and would not be possible without the support of our regional MLTSD representatives.
For more information about any of these projects, contact John Conrad at jconrad@sl.on.ca.