Monday, August 17, 2009
A Sector Looking for Answers: Women-Specific Services, Timing of Implementation, and the Transition Process
On August 11 and 13, ACTEW conducted teleconference focus groups with employment and training agencies to explore the impact of Employment Ontario on their service delivery and women clients. Participants from each region of the province represented 13 agencies currently funded under Employment Ontario.
Five participants work in women-only agencies, although all other participants recognize the distinct needs of women clients and offer women-specific services and/or hire and train staff on issues relevant to women clients' success.
Where are Women in Employment Ontario?
A key question for participants centers on the provision of services specifically for women.
Participants are very concerned that women will not be acknowledged as a "specialized group" by Employment Ontario (EO), even when there is research that demonstrates women's specific labour market development needs and patterns, as well as current women-specific service-delivery expertise across the province.
Many participants reported that they represent agencies with long histories serving job-seeking women very successfully. Their agencies have documented results of client success and many years of client testimonials that speak to the importance of women-only spaces for employment and training services.
Participants explained that for some women, such as newcomers or women who have experienced violence, a women-only environment is a "first step" -- a safe place to begin explorations and prepare for other services and opportunities. For rural women, many of whom are economically "second class citizens" as one participant described, women-only programs are a chance to gain desperately needed training and to network and collaborate.
Participants were concerned that there is little information from MTCU on how programming for specialized groups will be handled. A number of participants acknowledged that their agencies are well positioned for the transition and that they will adapt to whatever change comes. However, all agreed that women, and other economically marginalized of workers, will be further disenfranchised by a homogeneous service delivery model.
Long Waiting Period Means Uncertainty in the Sector
Another important issue for participants was the lengthy waiting periods agencies are enduring. The lack of notice regarding MTCU funding means that agencies are uncertain of their future. Many participants describe this as "living in limbo."
Participants report that this uncertainty has resulted in:
The Need for Communication
Participants report inconsistent information received from MTCU and its representatives, which confuses and worries them. More information and consistent information is strongly desired. One participant said, "Anything would be appreciated, even 'we're still working on it.'"
Participants report that they are unclear about what is included in the transition from old to new system:
Five participants work in women-only agencies, although all other participants recognize the distinct needs of women clients and offer women-specific services and/or hire and train staff on issues relevant to women clients' success.
Where are Women in Employment Ontario?
A key question for participants centers on the provision of services specifically for women.
Participants are very concerned that women will not be acknowledged as a "specialized group" by Employment Ontario (EO), even when there is research that demonstrates women's specific labour market development needs and patterns, as well as current women-specific service-delivery expertise across the province.
Many participants reported that they represent agencies with long histories serving job-seeking women very successfully. Their agencies have documented results of client success and many years of client testimonials that speak to the importance of women-only spaces for employment and training services.
Participants explained that for some women, such as newcomers or women who have experienced violence, a women-only environment is a "first step" -- a safe place to begin explorations and prepare for other services and opportunities. For rural women, many of whom are economically "second class citizens" as one participant described, women-only programs are a chance to gain desperately needed training and to network and collaborate.
Participants were concerned that there is little information from MTCU on how programming for specialized groups will be handled. A number of participants acknowledged that their agencies are well positioned for the transition and that they will adapt to whatever change comes. However, all agreed that women, and other economically marginalized of workers, will be further disenfranchised by a homogeneous service delivery model.
Long Waiting Period Means Uncertainty in the Sector
Another important issue for participants was the lengthy waiting periods agencies are enduring. The lack of notice regarding MTCU funding means that agencies are uncertain of their future. Many participants describe this as "living in limbo."
Participants report that this uncertainty has resulted in:
- great difficulty planning and developing responsive and effective programming for clients
- job insecurity for staff and increased staff retention problems
- administrative challenges over contractual issues such as leases
- the decreased ability to establish partnerships and other collaborative commitments because partners are cautious about developing long-term relationships with potentially unstable agencies; this sets off a financial domino effect because so many funders require partnerships.
The Need for Communication
Participants report inconsistent information received from MTCU and its representatives, which confuses and worries them. More information and consistent information is strongly desired. One participant said, "Anything would be appreciated, even 'we're still working on it.'"
- Agencies are anxiously waiting for outcomes from the October 2008 survey.
- Agencies do not know timelines for implementation, which keep shifting. The information received from various sources is not consistent.
- It is unclear where small agencies fit in. Is the benefit of smaller agencies for some client groups that are intimidated by large centres recognized?
- As noted above, information on how women and other specialized groups will be handled is inconsistent and unclear.
Participants report that they are unclear about what is included in the transition from old to new system:
- Will there be support for training staff for new roles and service delivery techniques (e.g. resource centre staff training on case management)?
- Will there be a period in which existing programs that will be discontinued are phased out and period when new programs are phased in?
- In situations where programs are discontinued or organizations must shut down, will MTCU cover only what’s required by the Employment Standards Act (ESA) or the full cost of staff lay-offs?
- What will happen with training services? Why were practice firms not included in the October survey of the network?
Labels: ACTEW_Activities, Issues_and_Trends, Meetings_and_Events
