Thursday, April 24, 2008
SADG Update - April 2008
Deanna Yerichuk and Paula Wansbrough attended the April 17 Employment Ontario Service Delivery Advisory Group (SDAG) meeting. The following items were discussed:
Skills to Jobs Action Plan
Kevin French, Assistant Deputy Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities reviewed the Skills to Jobs initiative announced in the provincial budget earlier this month. SDAG community members had questions around the Second Career Strategy. TCU was clear that this program applies only to workers recently laid off (as of June 2007) and they have not yet determined if part-timers would qualify for this program but did say that training money will go directly to the client after rigorous assessments and training plan development, rather than be provided as block training or in voucher form.
Of the $475 million to be invested in Skills to Jobs, almost all -- $345 million -- will come from the Labour Market Agreement (LMA). The LMA is a federal investment of nearly $1.2 billion in Ontario's labour market over the next six years. Since so much LMA money is to be channeled into the Skills to Jobs initiative, community SDAG members will be watching the implementation closely to assess how much it actually reaches the marginalized workers it was designed to serve.
(Read more on the LMA in this blog.).
EO Transformation
"Planned, measured change" was the key phrase used by Kevin during his presentation on the next steps for Employment Ontario. Here is the timeline:
Integrated Service Delivery Focus Groups
Susan Underhill presented feedback and themes from the focus groups, surveys, interviews and workshops held with the service delivery network in February and March, involving 500 – 600 people.
The research took place with both MTCU staff and service providers, and as a result, there were variations in views on how to best achieve Integrated Service Delivery. TCU staff thought about how to best manage service delivery while service providers thought about the best ways to deliver services. TCU staff favoured Approach A (Lead Provider) over Approach B (Distributed Model), which was the service provider favourite. When Susan expressed disappointment that there were few alternative models suggested by participants, SDAG community members noted that focus groups did not leave time to explore alternatives. To see a copy of this presentation, please contact ACTEW’s office at policy@actew.org.
Employment Service Design
Sue Forrester presented on the now completed transformation project, Employment Service Design. This project was described by Kevin French as "a real model" because of the successful integration of community perspectives through the external service delivery reference group. (Download a presentation on the project by participant, Honey Crossley, Executive Director of Working Skills Centre to ACTEW membership in February 2008.)
The group proposed a number of formulas and definitions for assessing program and agency success, as well as funding model information for employment services:
It’s Your Call
On the request of MTCU, Josie Dizio of OCASI presented the new report, It’s Your Call, as an example of the execution of a Call for Proposals process, with clear recommendations that this particular process was not appropriate for ongoing service delivery. MTCU gave a commitment that this is not a process they are considering, and both community members and bureaucrats voiced the importance of working together to determine what kinds of processes should be used, particularly in determining new service delivery.
Skills to Jobs Action Plan
Kevin French, Assistant Deputy Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities reviewed the Skills to Jobs initiative announced in the provincial budget earlier this month. SDAG community members had questions around the Second Career Strategy. TCU was clear that this program applies only to workers recently laid off (as of June 2007) and they have not yet determined if part-timers would qualify for this program but did say that training money will go directly to the client after rigorous assessments and training plan development, rather than be provided as block training or in voucher form.
Of the $475 million to be invested in Skills to Jobs, almost all -- $345 million -- will come from the Labour Market Agreement (LMA). The LMA is a federal investment of nearly $1.2 billion in Ontario's labour market over the next six years. Since so much LMA money is to be channeled into the Skills to Jobs initiative, community SDAG members will be watching the implementation closely to assess how much it actually reaches the marginalized workers it was designed to serve.
(Read more on the LMA in this blog.).
EO Transformation
"Planned, measured change" was the key phrase used by Kevin during his presentation on the next steps for Employment Ontario. Here is the timeline:
- May 2008 - the planning process, tools and guidelines will be completed
June 2008 - selected approach(es) implemented
July 2008 – approved external accountability framework
September 2008 – staff training on guidelines, tools and contracts
October 2008 – contract negotiations commence with service providers
February 2008 – approved internal accountability framework
March 2009 – staff training on internal accountability
April 2009 - initial phase of the delivery of Employment Services
July 2010 – Employment Ontario vision fully realized
Integrated Service Delivery Focus Groups
Susan Underhill presented feedback and themes from the focus groups, surveys, interviews and workshops held with the service delivery network in February and March, involving 500 – 600 people.
The research took place with both MTCU staff and service providers, and as a result, there were variations in views on how to best achieve Integrated Service Delivery. TCU staff thought about how to best manage service delivery while service providers thought about the best ways to deliver services. TCU staff favoured Approach A (Lead Provider) over Approach B (Distributed Model), which was the service provider favourite. When Susan expressed disappointment that there were few alternative models suggested by participants, SDAG community members noted that focus groups did not leave time to explore alternatives. To see a copy of this presentation, please contact ACTEW’s office at policy@actew.org.
Employment Service Design
Sue Forrester presented on the now completed transformation project, Employment Service Design. This project was described by Kevin French as "a real model" because of the successful integration of community perspectives through the external service delivery reference group. (Download a presentation on the project by participant, Honey Crossley, Executive Director of Working Skills Centre to ACTEW membership in February 2008.)
The group proposed a number of formulas and definitions for assessing program and agency success, as well as funding model information for employment services:
- service delivery quality standard - allots 50% for effectiveness (participant profile plus service impact, i.e. employment), 30% for customer service (customer satisfaction plus service coordination), and 20% for efficiency. The calculation takes into consideration how barriered the client is, although employment is the most heavily weighed outcome.
organizational capacity indicators – will measure customer satisfaction and service delivery; how an agency uses local labour market data to inform programming; the stability and efficiency of its administrative processes, its financial performance, and its governance; and the agency’s ability to coordinate services with others in its community. This formula is currently a work in progress.
funding decision model based on an agency’s effectiveness – consists of three components: compliance with the MTCU contract, evidence of organizational capacity and the service delivery standard achieved (see above).
proposed funding model – agencies meeting appropriate levels of effectiveness will receive operating grants to deliver services that recognize economies of scale; performance incentives will be available and will not be part of the organization’s base operating grant but must go back into improving services; funding will be sustained based on the organization’s ability to achieve service delivery quality; grants are for services that will serve 100 or more clients, although this will vary depending upon the location of the agency.
It’s Your Call
On the request of MTCU, Josie Dizio of OCASI presented the new report, It’s Your Call, as an example of the execution of a Call for Proposals process, with clear recommendations that this particular process was not appropriate for ongoing service delivery. MTCU gave a commitment that this is not a process they are considering, and both community members and bureaucrats voiced the importance of working together to determine what kinds of processes should be used, particularly in determining new service delivery.
Labels: Issues_and_Trends, MTCU_Updates
Monday, February 25, 2008
New Canada-Ontario Agreement on Training and Skills Development
On Friday (Feb 22, 2008), the governments of Canada and Ontario announced "a new agreement to help Ontario workers improve their skills and get better jobs."
Under the new agreement, the Government of Canada will invest nearly $1.2 billion in Ontario's labour market over the next six years. These funds will help individuals and workers who are not eligible for training under the Employment Insurance (EI) program to improve their skills. The funding will also help individuals too often excluded from the labour force, including Aboriginal people, immigrants, persons with disabilities, as well as those workers who lack literacy and essential skills, get the training they need to obtain meaningful and sustainable employment.
Note that this agreement replaces the previously signed 2005 Labour Market Partnership Agreement (LMPA), which was to contribute $300 million/year ongoing to Ontario's labour market development strategies. The new agreement is less money and signed for a finite amount of time (6 years). The money will focus on a few priority areas, including: technical skills training, labour market integration of immigrants, foundation skills and supports, and labour market supports for persons with disabilities.
The agreement comes into effect April 1, 2008, beginning with an investment of about $194 million in 2008-2009. Read full press release and backgrounder on the Government of Canada web site.
Under the new agreement, the Government of Canada will invest nearly $1.2 billion in Ontario's labour market over the next six years. These funds will help individuals and workers who are not eligible for training under the Employment Insurance (EI) program to improve their skills. The funding will also help individuals too often excluded from the labour force, including Aboriginal people, immigrants, persons with disabilities, as well as those workers who lack literacy and essential skills, get the training they need to obtain meaningful and sustainable employment.
Note that this agreement replaces the previously signed 2005 Labour Market Partnership Agreement (LMPA), which was to contribute $300 million/year ongoing to Ontario's labour market development strategies. The new agreement is less money and signed for a finite amount of time (6 years). The money will focus on a few priority areas, including: technical skills training, labour market integration of immigrants, foundation skills and supports, and labour market supports for persons with disabilities.
The agreement comes into effect April 1, 2008, beginning with an investment of about $194 million in 2008-2009. Read full press release and backgrounder on the Government of Canada web site.
Labels: LMDA, LMPA, MTCU_Updates
Friday, February 15, 2008
Strategic Directions and Elements of EO Framework: Share Your Thoughts
MTCU has released the "Discussion Paper: Employment Ontario Integrated Service Delivery Framework" as well as an overview of the paper. These are posted to the Employment Ontario Partners' Gateway: www.eopg.ca (scroll down to the “News” area on the front page for the postings of the paper in February).
The discussion paper outlines strategic directions, and the potential elements of an Employment Ontario integrated service delivery framework. MTCU stresses that the paper does not represent any final decisions but is intended to be a document on which agencies can provide feedback, either through the focus groups happening end of February or through feedback forms.
Community-based sessions will begin next week from February 19 to February 29 and a an online survey is also available on the Employment Ontario Partners' Gateway (the survey is in the same location as the paper). The ministry will use these tools to collect stakeholders' input on the Discussion Paper and plans for the framework.
The framework is to be finalized in March 2008.
The discussion paper outlines strategic directions, and the potential elements of an Employment Ontario integrated service delivery framework. MTCU stresses that the paper does not represent any final decisions but is intended to be a document on which agencies can provide feedback, either through the focus groups happening end of February or through feedback forms.
Community-based sessions will begin next week from February 19 to February 29 and a an online survey is also available on the Employment Ontario Partners' Gateway (the survey is in the same location as the paper). The ministry will use these tools to collect stakeholders' input on the Discussion Paper and plans for the framework.
The framework is to be finalized in March 2008.
Labels: MTCU_Updates
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Linking Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy to Women's Employment and Training
The Ontario government's Throne Speech in November 2007 states that: "A new cabinet committee will begin work developing poverty indicators and targets and a focused strategy for making clear-cut progress on reducing child poverty. The strategy includes a plan that would provide dental benefits to low-income families, and builds on measures already in progress. These include boosting the minimum wage to $10.25 by 2010, increasing child care spaces and providing more affordable housing…[and] fully implement the new Ontario Child Benefit, raising it to $1,100 per child."
The anti-poverty cabinet committee is being led by Minister Deb Mathews, who also happens to be the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. Other high profile ministers will sit on the committee, including Minister John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, suggesting that the committee is taking a broad and inclusive approach to strategizing poverty reduction in Ontario, including employment and training as a key component along with the focuses listed in the throne speech.
The question yet to be asked and answered is: will the committee consider how gender and equity affect experiences of poverty and pathways towards sustainable livelihoods? ACTEW’s research on women and work finds that women are much more likely to live in poverty, have reduced access to EI and have different labour patterns due in large part to shouldering the responsibility for dependent care.
Note that while several provinces are pursuing poverty reduction strategies, there is no such approach to date at the national level. Campaign 2000 is encouraging the federal government to commit to a national poverty reduction strategy. Their 2007 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty, revealed that 18 years after the 1989 all-party resolution of the House of Commons, the child poverty rate is exactly the same, despite a growing economy, a soaring dollar and low unemployment. (It's important to point out that women are statistically much more likely to be sole-support parents, and statistically more likely to live in poverty, along with their children) In a letter anticipating the First Ministers’ meeting, there was a focus on Employment Insurance coverage (which women, though statistically more likely to live in poverty, are also less likely to qualify or receive EI benefits):
"Employment Insurance coverage, on the table for the First Ministers, should be part of the national Poverty Reduction Strategy. 'This is a self-funded program with huge surpluses that covers less than 40% of unemployed Canadians,' said Anne Decter, national campaign coordinator. 'The money is there, paid in by people who can’t collect when they need it. It’s hard to see the fairness of letting Canadians fall into poverty when they lose their jobs while money deducted from their paycheques sits in a surplus account.'"
We will post updates from the Ontario Committee's work as well as community responses as they are released.
The anti-poverty cabinet committee is being led by Minister Deb Mathews, who also happens to be the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. Other high profile ministers will sit on the committee, including Minister John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, suggesting that the committee is taking a broad and inclusive approach to strategizing poverty reduction in Ontario, including employment and training as a key component along with the focuses listed in the throne speech.
The question yet to be asked and answered is: will the committee consider how gender and equity affect experiences of poverty and pathways towards sustainable livelihoods? ACTEW’s research on women and work finds that women are much more likely to live in poverty, have reduced access to EI and have different labour patterns due in large part to shouldering the responsibility for dependent care.
Note that while several provinces are pursuing poverty reduction strategies, there is no such approach to date at the national level. Campaign 2000 is encouraging the federal government to commit to a national poverty reduction strategy. Their 2007 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty, revealed that 18 years after the 1989 all-party resolution of the House of Commons, the child poverty rate is exactly the same, despite a growing economy, a soaring dollar and low unemployment. (It's important to point out that women are statistically much more likely to be sole-support parents, and statistically more likely to live in poverty, along with their children) In a letter anticipating the First Ministers’ meeting, there was a focus on Employment Insurance coverage (which women, though statistically more likely to live in poverty, are also less likely to qualify or receive EI benefits):
"Employment Insurance coverage, on the table for the First Ministers, should be part of the national Poverty Reduction Strategy. 'This is a self-funded program with huge surpluses that covers less than 40% of unemployed Canadians,' said Anne Decter, national campaign coordinator. 'The money is there, paid in by people who can’t collect when they need it. It’s hard to see the fairness of letting Canadians fall into poverty when they lose their jobs while money deducted from their paycheques sits in a surplus account.'"
We will post updates from the Ontario Committee's work as well as community responses as they are released.
Labels: Issues_and_Trends, MTCU_Updates, Resources_and_Research
MTCU Update: New Federal Investments; Program Design Update; Upcoming focus groups on Service Delivery Framework
Deanna Yerichuk attended the January 18 Employment Ontario Service Delivery Advisory Group meeting. Three key topics were covered:
New Federal Investments as Ontario negotiates a Labour Market Agreement
Kevin French, Assistant Deputy Minister of MTCU, is leading negotiations with the government of Canada to sign a Labour Market Agreement (LMA), which would transfer new funding Ontario for labour market training initiatives (read ACTEW’s blog of the 2007 federal budget announcement). The LMA is in fact replacing the Labour Market Partnership Agreement (LMPA), and two investment priorities have been earmarked for the money:
1) non-EI-eligible clients
2) low skill workers
It was confirmed at the meeting that these priorities mean that funding will be able to support Ontarians who do not currently qualify for EI, as well as Ontarians that are under-employed and/or precariously employed.
There was no mention of Ontario’s share of the $500 million annually promised across Canada, but they do expect the agreement in place for the money to start to flow in 2008/09 fiscal year.
Program Design Update
The External Service Delivery Reference Group on Program Design – Employment had an intensive planning session in January to determine guiding principles and provide feedback on the proposed employment services delivery model. Here are just a few of the key components of the new integrated system (targeted to be implemented in April 2009):
A revised document will be released at the end of January. ACTEW is planning a members’ meeting for mid-February to review these discussions in detail with our representative Honey Crossley (Working Skills Centre) who sits on this external stakeholder advisory group. ACTEW members will receive information about this session shortly.
Upcoming focus groups on Service Delivery Framework
MTCU has completed the Jurisdictional Review, and is fine-tuning a discussion paper on the current Service Delivery Framework. Coordinated by the Ontario Association of Youth Employment Centres (OAYEC), MTCU will be holding a series of focus groups and inviting written submissions at the end of February. ACTEW members will have an opportunity to attend these focus groups around the province. Stay tuned for more information.
Materials from the January 18 meeting will be placed on the Employment Ontario Partners’ Gateway web site: http://www.eopg.ca/eng/sdag.html
As always, if you have any questions, concerns or ideas, please contact Deanna at policy@actew.org.
New Federal Investments as Ontario negotiates a Labour Market Agreement
Kevin French, Assistant Deputy Minister of MTCU, is leading negotiations with the government of Canada to sign a Labour Market Agreement (LMA), which would transfer new funding Ontario for labour market training initiatives (read ACTEW’s blog of the 2007 federal budget announcement). The LMA is in fact replacing the Labour Market Partnership Agreement (LMPA), and two investment priorities have been earmarked for the money:
1) non-EI-eligible clients
2) low skill workers
It was confirmed at the meeting that these priorities mean that funding will be able to support Ontarians who do not currently qualify for EI, as well as Ontarians that are under-employed and/or precariously employed.
There was no mention of Ontario’s share of the $500 million annually promised across Canada, but they do expect the agreement in place for the money to start to flow in 2008/09 fiscal year.
Program Design Update
The External Service Delivery Reference Group on Program Design – Employment had an intensive planning session in January to determine guiding principles and provide feedback on the proposed employment services delivery model. Here are just a few of the key components of the new integrated system (targeted to be implemented in April 2009):
- There are three “components’ of the integrated employment services: Support for Independent Job Search, Employment Placement, Matching and Incentives, Job Maintenance, Sustainability and Advancement.
- Deliverers of service will determine which component, or combination of components will achieve the best results based on the individual’s needs, the local labour market environment and the program’s strategic goals/policy objectives.
- Employment service functions, intensities and incentives enable deliverers to tailor services to individual, employers and community circumstances and needs to achieve labour market attachment outcomes.
- Depending on community demographics, the services could include “specialization” of delivery and access – i.e. services targeted to immigrants, persons with disabilities, older workers, youth, and specialization of components such as placement and matching.
- Enables communities to augment components of services to reflect and respond to local circumstances and unique community demographics or economic situations. Based on the need, services may include some or all components of the employment service model, and may add unique components and features.
- EI status is no longer an eligibility requirement for access to employment services. However, there will have to be the capacity to record and track EI status to meet LMDA reporting requirements and to report expenditures against the appropriate account.
A revised document will be released at the end of January. ACTEW is planning a members’ meeting for mid-February to review these discussions in detail with our representative Honey Crossley (Working Skills Centre) who sits on this external stakeholder advisory group. ACTEW members will receive information about this session shortly.
Upcoming focus groups on Service Delivery Framework
MTCU has completed the Jurisdictional Review, and is fine-tuning a discussion paper on the current Service Delivery Framework. Coordinated by the Ontario Association of Youth Employment Centres (OAYEC), MTCU will be holding a series of focus groups and inviting written submissions at the end of February. ACTEW members will have an opportunity to attend these focus groups around the province. Stay tuned for more information.
Materials from the January 18 meeting will be placed on the Employment Ontario Partners’ Gateway web site: http://www.eopg.ca/eng/sdag.html
As always, if you have any questions, concerns or ideas, please contact Deanna at policy@actew.org.
Labels: LMDA, LMPA, Meetings_and_Events, MTCU_Updates
Employment Ontario Materials Available Online
MTCU has posted all Service Delivery Advisory Group materials on the Employment Ontario Partners' Gateway web site at: http://www.eopg.ca/eng/sdag.html
These materials offer presentations and documents on key MTCU developments of Employment Ontario, such as Employment Programs Design,Service Delivery Framework and Standards Access Strategies Projects, and other updates and decisions.
One word of caution: documents are listed by SDAG meeting date, which means that older meetings may have materials that have since been changed or updated. If you have questions about the materials posted, contact Deanna at ACTEW at policy@actew.org.
These materials offer presentations and documents on key MTCU developments of Employment Ontario, such as Employment Programs Design,Service Delivery Framework and Standards Access Strategies Projects, and other updates and decisions.
One word of caution: documents are listed by SDAG meeting date, which means that older meetings may have materials that have since been changed or updated. If you have questions about the materials posted, contact Deanna at ACTEW at policy@actew.org.
Labels: LMDA, MTCU_Updates
Friday, November 23, 2007
MTCU Update: Agreement Streamlining Changes
On November 15, Deanna attended the MTCU Service Delivery Advisory Group meeting, which provided information on the changes to contract administrative processes, program and policy coherence, and the new service delivery model. We’ll review the most pressing item here, but will post presentations on all topics within the next few days.
Changes to Contract Administrative Processes
As MTCU engages in transforming the Ontario Employment Benefits and Support Measures (OESBM) (read about EBSMs in detail on this federal government web site) infrastructure, agreements are being extended and contract administration streamlined. OEBSM agreements can be extended for up to 18 months effective December 1, 2007, with two main requirements: (1) demonstrated need for the program and (2) no performance issues.
As of December 1, MTCU is also introducing two initiatives to ease external administrative requirements (note that these changes apply to all OESBM programs, not just those coming up for renewal):
1) Increased Budget Flexibility: the 10% cap will be removed, and while rationales are still needed for budget changes, approvals will be much quicker, based on principle of prior written approval. This should reduce the need for amendments.
2) Budget Negotiation: MTCU will be looking at history of expenditure patterns and will forecast a budget for service providers for new budgets. MTCU says this will allow for maximum use of funds across programs. Note that end-date extensions do not require a new proposal.
All service providers should receive a letter detailing these changes by early December, and will be contacted by local MTCU staff to discuss extensions and flexibilities.
Changes to Contract Administrative Processes
As MTCU engages in transforming the Ontario Employment Benefits and Support Measures (OESBM) (read about EBSMs in detail on this federal government web site) infrastructure, agreements are being extended and contract administration streamlined. OEBSM agreements can be extended for up to 18 months effective December 1, 2007, with two main requirements: (1) demonstrated need for the program and (2) no performance issues.
As of December 1, MTCU is also introducing two initiatives to ease external administrative requirements (note that these changes apply to all OESBM programs, not just those coming up for renewal):
1) Increased Budget Flexibility: the 10% cap will be removed, and while rationales are still needed for budget changes, approvals will be much quicker, based on principle of prior written approval. This should reduce the need for amendments.
2) Budget Negotiation: MTCU will be looking at history of expenditure patterns and will forecast a budget for service providers for new budgets. MTCU says this will allow for maximum use of funds across programs. Note that end-date extensions do not require a new proposal.
All service providers should receive a letter detailing these changes by early December, and will be contacted by local MTCU staff to discuss extensions and flexibilities.
Labels: LMDA, Meetings_and_Events, MTCU_Updates
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Report-back of Employment Ontario Updates
At a recent ACTEW event in Brantford, Sherree Mahood, Director of Western Region for MTCU, spoke about the development of Employment Ontario, giving several key pieces of information that we’d like to share with our network.
First, we found out that Ontario is the first province committed to delivering training through third-party deliverers, such as all the community-based agencies in ACTEW’s membership. Second, Employment Ontario seeks to be client-centered and is moving to a case management system, meaning that the file is attached to the client no matter where they move in the system. These pieces of information may not be news to most, but it’s a useful reminder that MTCU is committed to both the clients and the agencies that serve them.
We learned that MTCU’s new Minister, John Milloy, previously worked as Parliamentary Secretary for former TCU Minister Chris Bentley. This means he is familiar with the work that’s happening, and it is unlikely MTCU will be experiencing any major shifts in directions or priorities.
Sherree spoke of the federal commitments of further funding, in particular the Labour Market Agreement, the “Daughter of the LMPA”. Conversations appear to be ongoing, and there is an effort to ensure that Ontario receives a fair per capita share of that agreement. In addition, the federal government provided a commitment to explore devolution of other employment programs, such as programs for youth, for older persons, and for persons with disabilities. It sounds like these conversations are still in the future, but the commitment is still in sight for the provincial and federal government.
Work on MTCU’s transition projects is underway, with projects in various stages of initiation or completion. In particular, the project dedicated to Program and Policy Coherence has established an external reference group of service providers, and has created a program framework that splits into “service clusters”, including: employment services, income supports, training, infrastructure and capacity building.
Sherree gave many more updates, including information on the “New Work Transition Incentive Program”, service delivery model standards, and MTCU’s plan to roll out community-based local labour market planning in Spring of 2008. You can get full details from a presentation Sherree has shared by downloading this PDF version:
http://www.actew.org/projects/pwpsite/resources/EOpresentationmoving forwardOct.pdf
First, we found out that Ontario is the first province committed to delivering training through third-party deliverers, such as all the community-based agencies in ACTEW’s membership. Second, Employment Ontario seeks to be client-centered and is moving to a case management system, meaning that the file is attached to the client no matter where they move in the system. These pieces of information may not be news to most, but it’s a useful reminder that MTCU is committed to both the clients and the agencies that serve them.
We learned that MTCU’s new Minister, John Milloy, previously worked as Parliamentary Secretary for former TCU Minister Chris Bentley. This means he is familiar with the work that’s happening, and it is unlikely MTCU will be experiencing any major shifts in directions or priorities.
Sherree spoke of the federal commitments of further funding, in particular the Labour Market Agreement, the “Daughter of the LMPA”. Conversations appear to be ongoing, and there is an effort to ensure that Ontario receives a fair per capita share of that agreement. In addition, the federal government provided a commitment to explore devolution of other employment programs, such as programs for youth, for older persons, and for persons with disabilities. It sounds like these conversations are still in the future, but the commitment is still in sight for the provincial and federal government.
Work on MTCU’s transition projects is underway, with projects in various stages of initiation or completion. In particular, the project dedicated to Program and Policy Coherence has established an external reference group of service providers, and has created a program framework that splits into “service clusters”, including: employment services, income supports, training, infrastructure and capacity building.
Sherree gave many more updates, including information on the “New Work Transition Incentive Program”, service delivery model standards, and MTCU’s plan to roll out community-based local labour market planning in Spring of 2008. You can get full details from a presentation Sherree has shared by downloading this PDF version:
http://www.actew.org/projects/pwpsite/resources/EOpresentationmoving forwardOct.pdf
Labels: Meetings_and_Events, MTCU_Updates
Friday, November 02, 2007
Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk Counties Put Women in the Picture
On October 30 and 31, ACTEW had the pleasure of participating in the conference Putting Women in the Picture near Brantford¸ hosted by the Grand Erie Training and Adjustment Board (GETAB). The event brought nearly 60 service providers to discuss how women in the region could be served more effectively.
A panel discussion kicked off the event, highlighting the issues and barriers women in the region face, particularly newcomer women, women survivors of violence, women in the workforce and women’s self-esteem. Key points included:
The participants also heard an update on the development of Employment Ontario in a presentation by Sherree Mahood, MTCU’s Regional Director of the Western Region. We’ll give you a full report on this presentation in the next blog entry.
The remainder of the conference was facilitated by Facilitating Inclusion facilitators from St. Joseph Immigrant Women’s Centre (Hamilton) and led the participants through a planning process to move towards supporting the women of the region more fully.
We’d like to thank Betty Anne, Jill and Tracey for an excellent conference, and we look forward to working with key stakeholders to move towards the goals set out in the session.
A panel discussion kicked off the event, highlighting the issues and barriers women in the region face, particularly newcomer women, women survivors of violence, women in the workforce and women’s self-esteem. Key points included:
- With no public transportation, and the high costs of owning and operating a vehicle, many women cannot physically access services or get to and from available jobs
- Parenting issues for women loom large—child care is hard to find in the region, and what is available is expensive and generally has inflexible hours.
- Young women often face discrimination in the workforce from employers who fear hiring them in case they get pregnant and interrupt productivity.
- Extremely marginalized women have no informal support networks and have no one to turn to if they need emergency child care.
- Newcomer women tend to be better educated than Canadian-born women, but have much lower earnings, on average. Immigrant women tend to work low-skill, low-pay jobs that are not related to the careers in which they are trained.
- Women affected by violence deal with other issues, and there appear to be increasing incidences of harassment in the workplace by a woman’s domestic partner. There have been three cases recently in the area of the woman losing her job because her abusive partner was harassing her at work.
The participants also heard an update on the development of Employment Ontario in a presentation by Sherree Mahood, MTCU’s Regional Director of the Western Region. We’ll give you a full report on this presentation in the next blog entry.
The remainder of the conference was facilitated by Facilitating Inclusion facilitators from St. Joseph Immigrant Women’s Centre (Hamilton) and led the participants through a planning process to move towards supporting the women of the region more fully.
We’d like to thank Betty Anne, Jill and Tracey for an excellent conference, and we look forward to working with key stakeholders to move towards the goals set out in the session.
Labels: ACTEW_Activities, LMDA, Meetings_and_Events, MTCU_Updates
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs and Boost Small Business Economy
Women are driving small business growth in Canada with their dramatic increases in self-employment. As of 2003, Canadian women entrepreneurs were contributing more than $18.109 billion to the Canadian economy each year, said a report released by the Task Force on Women Entrepreneurs that year.
The federal and provincial governments recognize this powerful new demographic group with the Network for Women Entrepreneurs, a program administered by the Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC). This step represents a fulfillment of one of the recommendations by the Task Force on Women Entrepreneurs.
The Task Force also recommended other ways of supporting women entrepreneurs so they are less vulnerable to changes in the economy and personal circumstances, and can be even more successful in contributing to Canada and Ontario's economy:
The federal and provincial governments recognize this powerful new demographic group with the Network for Women Entrepreneurs, a program administered by the Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC). This step represents a fulfillment of one of the recommendations by the Task Force on Women Entrepreneurs.
The Task Force also recommended other ways of supporting women entrepreneurs so they are less vulnerable to changes in the economy and personal circumstances, and can be even more successful in contributing to Canada and Ontario's economy:
- increase accessibility to training and networks, including online and telephone training for remotely located women,
extend the Self-Employment Assistance program to individuals not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI), as has been done in Quebec, and
set up a Centre for Women’s Business Research in partnership with private and not-for-profit sectors to examine the effect of government policy on women-owned business.
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has inherited the Self-Employment Benefits program from the federal government through the LMDA. At the same time, MTCU also inherited the eligibility requirements of this program, meaning that individuals must be receiving EI or received EI in the last five years to access self-employment training.
Labels: Issues_and_Trends, MTCU_Updates
Friday, July 20, 2007
July 19 SDAG Report-Back: The Service Delivery Framework Transition Project
The focus of yesterday’s Employment Ontario Service Delivery Advisory Group meeting was a presentation on one the Transitional Project "Service Delivery Model and Standards."
Project lead Susan Underhill presented on the very preliminary research MTCU has undertaken to move towards the long-term goal of designing Employment Ontario's Service Delivery Framework. The goal of this project is to move towards "Integrated Service Delivery" with an explicit focus on serving clients more efficiently and effectively. MTCU is focusing on strategies to improve client access, build "seamless" pathways and increase capacity across in-person, voice and web channels to provide integrated service for clients.
In other words, MTCU is envisioning integrated service delivery, in which clients have an easier and more successful time navigating and accessing services and programs within Employment Ontario. The project will also look at how to integrate in-person services with the other service channels of telephone and web.
The long-term objective over the next few years is to develop a service delivery framework and standards to lay the foundation for longer-term enhancements. The shorter-term objective is the "Enhanced Information and Referral Service" to identify tools, resources and functions that will build capacity across in-person, web and voice channels to serve clients more seamlessly.
MTCU recognizes that the Service Delivery Framework project is of great concern to the sector, and they have committed to involving community stakeholders (both service providers and, ideally, clients) through the process to truly build a strong system based on the strengths that already exist.
Project lead Susan Underhill presented on the very preliminary research MTCU has undertaken to move towards the long-term goal of designing Employment Ontario's Service Delivery Framework. The goal of this project is to move towards "Integrated Service Delivery" with an explicit focus on serving clients more efficiently and effectively. MTCU is focusing on strategies to improve client access, build "seamless" pathways and increase capacity across in-person, voice and web channels to provide integrated service for clients.
In other words, MTCU is envisioning integrated service delivery, in which clients have an easier and more successful time navigating and accessing services and programs within Employment Ontario. The project will also look at how to integrate in-person services with the other service channels of telephone and web.
The long-term objective over the next few years is to develop a service delivery framework and standards to lay the foundation for longer-term enhancements. The shorter-term objective is the "Enhanced Information and Referral Service" to identify tools, resources and functions that will build capacity across in-person, web and voice channels to serve clients more seamlessly.
MTCU recognizes that the Service Delivery Framework project is of great concern to the sector, and they have committed to involving community stakeholders (both service providers and, ideally, clients) through the process to truly build a strong system based on the strengths that already exist.
Labels: Issues_and_Trends, MTCU_Updates
MTCU’s Transition Projects: Get Involved!
MTCU has a number of "Transition Projects" in the works to advance the work of integrating and transforming Employment Ontario – Ontario’s employment and training network with the goal of enhancing service to Ontarians. These projects provide opportunities for key stakeholders and service delivery agencies to participate in the design and implementation of Employment Ontario, because many of the projects will have specific time-limited and focussed working groups or reference groups that will include community stakeholders.
Understanding the complexity and inter-related nature of creating the system, MTCU has divided the projects into six project "suites." Community agencies are encouraged to identify areas of expertise and interest to ACTEW. We may be able to put your name forward for consideration to participate on a working group for the project. Note that all projects are in very preliminary stages, and are operating on different timelines, and not all projects will have working/reference groups.
Understanding the complexity and inter-related nature of creating the system, MTCU has divided the projects into six project "suites." Community agencies are encouraged to identify areas of expertise and interest to ACTEW. We may be able to put your name forward for consideration to participate on a working group for the project. Note that all projects are in very preliminary stages, and are operating on different timelines, and not all projects will have working/reference groups.
Here's a summary of the areas of focus (the 6 "Suites") for the transition projects:
1) Program & Policy Coherence:
These projects cover implementation of the changes at the program and policy levels; development of mid-term initiatives which include research, Targeted Employment Supplements (TES), and employer involvement with training; long-term policy strategies; and program evaluation.
2) Organizational Development:
This category looks at classifications; management strategies related to the changes, such as communications, leadership, program structure, and implementing training plans; and workforce realignment and management. There will not likely be community stakeholders involved in this mostly internal suite.
3) Service Delivery Management Framework:
These projects involve service delivery models and standards, including long-term strategies, standards and measures, and examining delivery models quantitatively; access strategies related to client barriers and client flow; and contract administration.
4) Channel Development:
These projects look at branding, and strategies related to content management, voice channel integration, and web tools.
5) Governance and Accountability:
There are a number of projects in this category, which is more about MTCU's internal processes and also not likely to have service provider input: federal-provincial governance issues, which include future governance, protocol, audits, and the financial relationship between MTCU and Service Canada; inter-ministry engagement; stakeholder engagement; and business planning, reporting, and accounting at the provincial level.
6) Enterprise Management and Business Continuity:
This is another large group of projects largely related to MTCU's internal operational structures. They cover longer-term issues such as the federal interface, business case development, and security of external access; privacy issues; accommodation; controllership review; contingency, security and disaster recovery; making financial processes operational, including those related to EI Section 25, EBSM, and the Family Responsibility Office, as well as a budget and forecasting process; re-engineering the business process; and records schedules.
For more detailed information on any one area listed above, please contact ACTEW’s Deanna Yerichuk, who sits on the Employment Ontario Service Delivery Advisory Group at deanna@actew.org.
Labels: MTCU_Updates
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Golden Horseshoe Agencies Share Their Experiences of Policy Changes
In June, ACTEW hosted a meeting with MTCU and employment and training service providers from the Hamilton-Burlington-Niagara region. Following a presentation by MTCU's Regional Director, Sherree Mahood at the 2nd Annual Golden Horseshoe / Bi-Regional Networking Day, the 180 attendees had the opportunity to share their concerns, experiences, and ideas in a working session.
Service providers were asked to chart their thoughts on the following two questions:
Service providers were asked to chart their thoughts on the following two questions:
- What challenges and opportunities have resulted from the changes MTCU is undertaking due to labour market development policy changes?
- How can agencies and government resolve issues that have emerged?
- Service providers need for more information and clearer communication from MTCU.
- The changes have brought many in the sector closer together in order to share information. Increasing networking and collaboration can ease some of the challenges arising from the changes.
- This is a time of opportunity for improving and increasing services.
- Employment Ontario will likely serve most clients well.
- Measures of evaluation need to be refined. In particular, participants are not convinced that clients with multiple barriers will be well served by outcomes-based evaluation and other aspects of the changes, nor are they clear about the definition of service "success".
- There are administrative and operational challenges arising from the changes, in particular, around funding.
- Regional variation in labour markets must be acknowledged at all levels of the design and expected outcomes of Employment Ontario.
- Political Weather Report – Summary
- Political Weather Report – Chart
- Collective Action – Summary
- Collective Action – Chart
Labels: Meetings_and_Events, MTCU_Updates
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Survey on Employment Ontario for Central Region Stakeholders
The following is an invitation to employment and training service deliverers and other stakeholders to participate in a survey on the design of Employment Ontario. The invitation comes from Barb Simmons, MTCU’s Director of the Central Region, as a follow up to the Engagement Meeting that was held in June, but it is also open to those unable to attend that consultation.
Please note that the deadline for the survey is July 13 and that this survey is only for those located in the Central Region. If any ACTEW members in other regions have received notice of community engagement surveys or forums, let Deanna know: deanna@actew.org.
Good afternoon,
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend one of the 2007 Central Region MTCU Stakeholder Engagement Meetings. The stakeholder meetings were very successful and we were able to share the direction of MTCU and obtained a lot of valuable input from you. We look forward to continuous engagement with you and building an enhanced Employment Ontario to better serve the needs of our communities.
Below you will find a link to a survey to provide additional feedback to the Ministry as we discussed at the meetings. The purpose of this survey is to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to provide us with any questions, comments and suggestions that may have come to mind after your participation in the session.
The survey also provides an opportunity for input from other stakeholders who may not have been able to attend one of MTCU's Stakeholder Engagement Meeting. Please feel free to pass this message along to any other colleagues that may be interested.
Please note that the survey will close on July 13, 2007, so please submit your comments before that date. The results from this survey will be rolled up into both a Central Region and Province-Wide summary and published to the Employment Ontario Partner's Gateway in the fall.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zcEL0Y15OIlxBilyayckTw_3d_3d
Thank you in advance for all your comments and feedback and we look forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Barb Simmons
Director, Central Region
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Please note that the deadline for the survey is July 13 and that this survey is only for those located in the Central Region. If any ACTEW members in other regions have received notice of community engagement surveys or forums, let Deanna know: deanna@actew.org.
Good afternoon,
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend one of the 2007 Central Region MTCU Stakeholder Engagement Meetings. The stakeholder meetings were very successful and we were able to share the direction of MTCU and obtained a lot of valuable input from you. We look forward to continuous engagement with you and building an enhanced Employment Ontario to better serve the needs of our communities.
Below you will find a link to a survey to provide additional feedback to the Ministry as we discussed at the meetings. The purpose of this survey is to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to provide us with any questions, comments and suggestions that may have come to mind after your participation in the session.
The survey also provides an opportunity for input from other stakeholders who may not have been able to attend one of MTCU's Stakeholder Engagement Meeting. Please feel free to pass this message along to any other colleagues that may be interested.
Please note that the survey will close on July 13, 2007, so please submit your comments before that date. The results from this survey will be rolled up into both a Central Region and Province-Wide summary and published to the Employment Ontario Partner's Gateway in the fall.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zcEL0Y15OIlxBilyayckTw_3d_3d
Thank you in advance for all your comments and feedback and we look forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Barb Simmons
Director, Central Region
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Labels: MTCU_Updates
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
How to Use the Employment Ontario Brand
MTCU has posted guidelines to its Employment Ontario Partners' Gateway web site on how to use the Employment Ontario brand to support the delivery of programs. The Ministry has asked members of the Service Delivery Advisory Group to distribute this information to our community service provider networks.
You can find these guidelines in English on this page of the site under the heading Employment Ontario Visual Guidelines:
http://www.eopg.ca/eng/guidelines.html
A French version of the guidelines is also available at:
http://www.eopg.ca/fre/guidelines.html
You can find these guidelines in English on this page of the site under the heading Employment Ontario Visual Guidelines:
http://www.eopg.ca/eng/guidelines.html
A French version of the guidelines is also available at:
http://www.eopg.ca/fre/guidelines.html
Labels: MTCU_Updates
The Golden Horseshoe Hears From MTCU
On June 17, over 180 employment and training service providers from the Hamilton-Burlington-Niagara region met for the 2nd Annual Golden Horseshoe / Bi-Regional Networking Day. ACTEW co-hosted this event, in partnership with the Employment Assistance Resource Network (EARN) of the Hamilton area.
The day included a spotlight on the changes the employment and training sector is experiencing as a result of the LMDA and the emergence of Employment Ontario. Sherree Mahood, MTCU’s Regional Director for the Western Region began this session.
Sherree set out MTCU’s vision for Employment Ontario and described what service providers will see next:
An energetic question and answer period followed Sherree’s presentation. Service providers raised concerns related to funding, engaging employers, the "Rapid Employment" philosophy and its effect on multi-barriered clients, and the status of portfolios related to client groups such as youth, and OW and ODSP recipients that are not covered in the LMDA.
In response to a question about how service providers can best prepare themselves for the changes, Sherree said that she felt confident community-based service deliverers would be supported by Employment Ontario. She encouraged agencies to create "service maps" that set out the "pathways" clients can take to services in their community. Such maps will illuminate the gaps in services as well as areas of duplication. These maps will also help agencies "learn to speak the same language" as the other service providers in their communities.
The room then broke out into small groups in a session guided by group leaders from St. Joseph Immigrant Women’s Centre Facilitating Inclusion program. The results of these discussions will be available from ACTEW once they are compiled and analyzed by Facilitating Inclusion.
The day included a spotlight on the changes the employment and training sector is experiencing as a result of the LMDA and the emergence of Employment Ontario. Sherree Mahood, MTCU’s Regional Director for the Western Region began this session.
Sherree set out MTCU’s vision for Employment Ontario and described what service providers will see next:
- ongoing regional community stakeholder engagement meetings
local planning processes for labour market development and service delivery charters; for the Western Region, this planning is scheduled for July and August
consultations on service delivery models, which for the Western Region will begin in September
the roll-out of 24 "Transition Projects"
An energetic question and answer period followed Sherree’s presentation. Service providers raised concerns related to funding, engaging employers, the "Rapid Employment" philosophy and its effect on multi-barriered clients, and the status of portfolios related to client groups such as youth, and OW and ODSP recipients that are not covered in the LMDA.
In response to a question about how service providers can best prepare themselves for the changes, Sherree said that she felt confident community-based service deliverers would be supported by Employment Ontario. She encouraged agencies to create "service maps" that set out the "pathways" clients can take to services in their community. Such maps will illuminate the gaps in services as well as areas of duplication. These maps will also help agencies "learn to speak the same language" as the other service providers in their communities.
The room then broke out into small groups in a session guided by group leaders from St. Joseph Immigrant Women’s Centre Facilitating Inclusion program. The results of these discussions will be available from ACTEW once they are compiled and analyzed by Facilitating Inclusion.
Labels: Meetings_and_Events, MTCU_Updates
Monday, June 18, 2007
MTCU Community Stakeholder Meetings
As ACTEW's representative, Deanna Yerichuk attended the MTCU Central Region Community Engagement Stakeholder Meeting on Thursday June 14, along with several ACTEW member agencies from the GTA. Many of the concerns held by ACTEW members are shared with the other employment and training stakeholders attending this Central Region meeting.
The goal of the MTCU "community stakeholder engagement meetings" is to assess local employment and training needs as MTCU moves forward with Employment Ontario. The consultation Deanna participated in was one of five that are occurring within Central Region alone, and all regions will be holding similar meetings in an effort to focus on local planning. MTCU will compile the feedback and release reports in the Fall.
Four themes emerged at the Central Region meeting.
The goal of the MTCU "community stakeholder engagement meetings" is to assess local employment and training needs as MTCU moves forward with Employment Ontario. The consultation Deanna participated in was one of five that are occurring within Central Region alone, and all regions will be holding similar meetings in an effort to focus on local planning. MTCU will compile the feedback and release reports in the Fall.
Four themes emerged at the Central Region meeting.
- The employment and training system needs to be flexible in order to equally accommodate the diverse needs and barriers of all clients.
-> Among agencies serving women only that responded to ACTEW's Pre-LMDA Survey, this point was especially important. In particular, these agencies see multi-barriered clients excluded from programs because of eligibility criteria.
Funding for supports such as transportation and child care is essential.
-> The majority of respondents to our survey told us they did not have enough funding for program supports.
The expertise of local boards, umbrellas and agencies are a key way for MTCU to reach priority client groups, perform research, and engage community stakeholders, and the Ministry can tap into this expertise more.
-> Pre-LMDA Survey respondents indicated that there were a number of regional differences in the province, and agencies have evolved innovative ways of making the most of their specific advantages. You can review some outstanding programs in our profile listings.
Strategies are needed that will draw employers into the dialogue on labour market development.
-> This was an important issue at the Ottawa meeting ACTEW hosted with the Ottawa Women’s Training and Employment Network.
Labels: Issues_and_Trends, Meetings_and_Events, MTCU_Updates
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Service Delivery Advisory Group Update: MTCU Reorg
Community stakeholder participation in the reorganization of MTCU was the key focus for this meeting of the Service Delivery Advisory Group (SDAG).
Forty "Transition Projects" are at various stages of development. These projects, which will aid in the smooth implementation of the reorganization, look at six general areas:
This SDAG meeting also included continued discussion regarding the Terms of Reference for the group and the "Visibility Guidelines" for Employment Ontario.
ACTEW members are encouraged to share their thoughts about the reorganization and the Transitional Projects. Contact Deanna Yerichuk, ACTEW's SDAG representative, at: deanna@actew.org
Forty "Transition Projects" are at various stages of development. These projects, which will aid in the smooth implementation of the reorganization, look at six general areas:
- Programs and Policy Coherence
- Organizational Development
- Service Delivery Management Framework
- Channel Development
- Governance and Accountability, and
- Enterprise Management and Business Continuity.
This SDAG meeting also included continued discussion regarding the Terms of Reference for the group and the "Visibility Guidelines" for Employment Ontario.
ACTEW members are encouraged to share their thoughts about the reorganization and the Transitional Projects. Contact Deanna Yerichuk, ACTEW's SDAG representative, at: deanna@actew.org
Labels: MTCU_Updates
What is the Service Delivery Advisory Group?
The Employment Ontario Service Delivery Advisory Group (SDAG) is a mechanism designed to enhance Employment Ontario as the Province implements the LMDA. The SDAG ensures that there is regular dialogue among MTCU and third-party delivery stakeholders on employment and training service design, implementation and delivery.
Deanna Yerichuk, ACTEW's Interim Executive Director and Program Manager of Putting Women in the Picture, sits on the SDAG. This means that ACTEW member agencies have an ongoing opportunity to provide input and feedback through ACTEW to the provincial government. It also gives ACTEW current information to distribute to our members.
You can review updates from the SDAG on this blog. Here are entries on meetings held in the last six months:
MTCU is also in the process of carrying out focus groups with service providers on labour market development issues. Regional meetings are taking place across the province and ACTEW will be attending a meeting on Thursday, June 14, to represent our members and to raise issues specifically related to women's employment. ACTEW members are encouraged to share their concerns and feedback with us by Thursday morning. However, we always welcome input, which we can table at the SDAG meetings.
Contact Deanna Yerichuk at (416) 599-3590 or deanna@actew.org.
Deanna Yerichuk, ACTEW's Interim Executive Director and Program Manager of Putting Women in the Picture, sits on the SDAG. This means that ACTEW member agencies have an ongoing opportunity to provide input and feedback through ACTEW to the provincial government. It also gives ACTEW current information to distribute to our members.
You can review updates from the SDAG on this blog. Here are entries on meetings held in the last six months:
MTCU is also in the process of carrying out focus groups with service providers on labour market development issues. Regional meetings are taking place across the province and ACTEW will be attending a meeting on Thursday, June 14, to represent our members and to raise issues specifically related to women's employment. ACTEW members are encouraged to share their concerns and feedback with us by Thursday morning. However, we always welcome input, which we can table at the SDAG meetings.
Contact Deanna Yerichuk at (416) 599-3590 or deanna@actew.org.
Labels: MTCU_Updates
Monday, May 28, 2007
MTCU Update
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) is reorganizing itself into three divisions.
The announcement, released Deputy Minister, Philip Steenkamp, on May 24th to various stakeholders and service delivery networks, explains that the reorganization comes out of substantial investments in labour market training and education, in part because of the LMDA. The new divisions are to help the Ministry deliver expanded services in a comprehensive manner, and include formal linkages to the Ministry of Education through the Aboriginal Education Office and a newly created French-Language Continued Learning Unit.
The divisions are:
MTCU is also formalizing the Service Delivery Advisory, which will provide a bridge between the Employment and Training Division and the Strategic Policy and Programs Division from the community perspective. ACTEW continues to represent our network at these meetings, and we’ll continue to bring your issues, ideas and feedback to the Ministry. When the terms of reference are finalized for the Service Delivery Advisory, we will provide a full update.
The announcement, released Deputy Minister, Philip Steenkamp, on May 24th to various stakeholders and service delivery networks, explains that the reorganization comes out of substantial investments in labour market training and education, in part because of the LMDA. The new divisions are to help the Ministry deliver expanded services in a comprehensive manner, and include formal linkages to the Ministry of Education through the Aboriginal Education Office and a newly created French-Language Continued Learning Unit.
The divisions are:
Employment and Training Division: Formerly the Labour Market and Training Division, this division will continue to be responsible for direct and third-party delivery of the Province’s 17 employment and training programs.
Postsecondary Education Division: This division will manage student financial assistance and transfer payments to postsecondary institutions.
Strategic Policy and Programs Division: This new division will provide strategic policy and planning, with a focus on integrated program development.
MTCU is also formalizing the Service Delivery Advisory, which will provide a bridge between the Employment and Training Division and the Strategic Policy and Programs Division from the community perspective. ACTEW continues to represent our network at these meetings, and we’ll continue to bring your issues, ideas and feedback to the Ministry. When the terms of reference are finalized for the Service Delivery Advisory, we will provide a full update.
Labels: MTCU_Updates
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Report from Service Delivery Advisory Group (SDAG) Meeting
ACTEW’s Deanna Yerichuk attended the most recent LMDA Transition Service Delivery Advisory Group (SDAG) meeting on February 16, 2007. We have the following information to share with you:
Now that the transfer is complete, the LMDA transition team continues focus on business continuity (“business as usual”) and is starting to turn long-term attention to policy and program integration and alignment.
That being said, MTCU still says they are continuing with a slow planning approach, and intend to engage key stakeholders and local planning processes to ensure systems meet the needs of communities. They intend to make “Customer Focus” the priority through focusing on the infrastructure build as well as program design and service delivery.
Here are copies of the PowerPoint presentations provided at the meeting:
Also, we understand that MTCU will soon be launching an “Employment Ontario Partnership Gateway”. We’ll let you know as soon as this site is live.
The meeting also established that there is an important and ongoing role for community service providers through the SDAG, and MTCU appears committed not only to working with community reps in the existing committee structure, but examining ways that community knowledge and expertise can be more effectively leveraged in their planning and implementation processes. This may include tapping into community networks to collect and disseminate information for planning purposes.
The terms of reference for the group will be redrafted and ACTEW looks forward to bringing input from Ontario’s women’s training community to the table in policy and program development.
Finally, the LMDA transition team is actively seeking input on the challenges, opportunities and priorities that the community-based training sector sees over the next year. If you have feedback you’d like to get into MTCU’s hands, please contact Deanna at deanna@actew.org, and we’ll bring forward all concerns, issues and priorities.
Want to find out what happened at the December 2006 SDAG meeting?
Now that the transfer is complete, the LMDA transition team continues focus on business continuity (“business as usual”) and is starting to turn long-term attention to policy and program integration and alignment.
That being said, MTCU still says they are continuing with a slow planning approach, and intend to engage key stakeholders and local planning processes to ensure systems meet the needs of communities. They intend to make “Customer Focus” the priority through focusing on the infrastructure build as well as program design and service delivery.
Here are copies of the PowerPoint presentations provided at the meeting:
Also, we understand that MTCU will soon be launching an “Employment Ontario Partnership Gateway”. We’ll let you know as soon as this site is live.
The meeting also established that there is an important and ongoing role for community service providers through the SDAG, and MTCU appears committed not only to working with community reps in the existing committee structure, but examining ways that community knowledge and expertise can be more effectively leveraged in their planning and implementation processes. This may include tapping into community networks to collect and disseminate information for planning purposes.
The terms of reference for the group will be redrafted and ACTEW looks forward to bringing input from Ontario’s women’s training community to the table in policy and program development.
Finally, the LMDA transition team is actively seeking input on the challenges, opportunities and priorities that the community-based training sector sees over the next year. If you have feedback you’d like to get into MTCU’s hands, please contact Deanna at deanna@actew.org, and we’ll bring forward all concerns, issues and priorities.
Want to find out what happened at the December 2006 SDAG meeting?
Labels: ACTEW_Activities, MTCU_Updates
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
MTCU Consultations on Labour Market Planning
Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities has embarked on a consultation process to get stakeholder feedback on labour market planning processes. MTCU is looking to consolidate the best practices of many diverse planning processes to create an integrated, consultative framework to identify more opportunities for collaboration in program design and service delivery.
MTCU held a series of focus groups with stakeholders in early December in Toronto, Sudbury, London, Belleville, Thunder Bay, Hamilton and Ottawa. Each focus group provided background information on the LMDA, Employment Ontario, and sought input on the development of the integrated labour market planning framework for MTCU to pilot in 2007, and to help inform fiscal year 2008/09 program and allocation decisions.
A consultation package is also available to get input from stakeholders who were unable to participate in the focus groups. Packages are being distributed by MTCU Regional Offices, but you can also get copies of the consultation letter, questionnaire, and background materials on the ACTEW site at:
http://www.actew.org/projects/pwp/mtcu_consultations.html
Please note that the January 15th deadline provided in the invitation letter has been extended until Monday, January 22nd.
MTCU held a series of focus groups with stakeholders in early December in Toronto, Sudbury, London, Belleville, Thunder Bay, Hamilton and Ottawa. Each focus group provided background information on the LMDA, Employment Ontario, and sought input on the development of the integrated labour market planning framework for MTCU to pilot in 2007, and to help inform fiscal year 2008/09 program and allocation decisions.
A consultation package is also available to get input from stakeholders who were unable to participate in the focus groups. Packages are being distributed by MTCU Regional Offices, but you can also get copies of the consultation letter, questionnaire, and background materials on the ACTEW site at:
http://www.actew.org/projects/pwp/mtcu_consultations.html
Please note that the January 15th deadline provided in the invitation letter has been extended until Monday, January 22nd.
Labels: MTCU_Updates
Report from Service Delivery Advisory Group Meeting
ACTEW’s Jen Liptrot attended the most recent Service Delivery Advisory Group (SDAG) meeting on December 15, 2006. The following items were reported:
Through late November and early December MTCU held several regional consultation sessions with stakeholders to walk through “the plan for the plan” with respect to local labour market planning in a post-LMDA Ontario.
Considerable work has also been taking place behind the scenes to support MTCU’s reorganization of their Labour Market and Training Division in anticipation of the LMDA.
One major change is a move towards a “functional model” in their organizational design. According to MTCU, this new model will provide better information channels, clear pathways and easier navigation among the full range of training and employment services. Read the short MTCU presentation on this new functional model here:
http://www.actew.org/projects/pwpsite/functionalmodel.pdf
If you’re interested, you can also see the new management org chart at
http://www.actew.org/projects/pwpsite/LMTD_MGMT_DEC21.pdf
All this planning seems to be looking good and MTCU is hoping for a reasonably smooth transition.
The most important piece of information to pass along to agencies is that the Employment Ontario web site should be updated as January 2007 to include descriptions and info on all the federally-funded programs that are being devolved. Agencies can check this web site for updates on LMDA transition.
Agencies should also be receiving letters from MTCU and/or Service Canada about the changes. Information will also be provided to support branding and referrals.
Once again, business continuity is being emphasized, which means that MTCU and Service Canada are striving for little noticable change come January 1.
We’d be interested in hearing from you over the next few weeks—did your agency experience any changes? If so, what were they? We’ll take the information back to the next SDAG meeting.
Through late November and early December MTCU held several regional consultation sessions with stakeholders to walk through “the plan for the plan” with respect to local labour market planning in a post-LMDA Ontario.
Considerable work has also been taking place behind the scenes to support MTCU’s reorganization of their Labour Market and Training Division in anticipation of the LMDA.
One major change is a move towards a “functional model” in their organizational design. According to MTCU, this new model will provide better information channels, clear pathways and easier navigation among the full range of training and employment services. Read the short MTCU presentation on this new functional model here:
http://www.actew.org/projects/pwpsite/functionalmodel.pdf
If you’re interested, you can also see the new management org chart at
http://www.actew.org/projects/pwpsite/LMTD_MGMT_DEC21.pdf
All this planning seems to be looking good and MTCU is hoping for a reasonably smooth transition.
The most important piece of information to pass along to agencies is that the Employment Ontario web site should be updated as January 2007 to include descriptions and info on all the federally-funded programs that are being devolved. Agencies can check this web site for updates on LMDA transition.
Agencies should also be receiving letters from MTCU and/or Service Canada about the changes. Information will also be provided to support branding and referrals.
Once again, business continuity is being emphasized, which means that MTCU and Service Canada are striving for little noticable change come January 1.
We’d be interested in hearing from you over the next few weeks—did your agency experience any changes? If so, what were they? We’ll take the information back to the next SDAG meeting.
Labels: ACTEW_Activities, MTCU_Updates
Thursday, December 07, 2006
MTCU Announces Regional Directors and Job Openings
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) has announced some appointments, hirings, and job postings. The LMDA comes into effect as of January 1, 2007, which includes the transfer of 600 Service Canada staff positions to MTCU. Here are a few hiring announcements that have been released over the past few months:
Kevin French has been appointed to the position of Assistant Deputy Minister of the Labour Market and Training Division.
He will oversee the change process associated with the Labour Market Development Agreement implementation, as well as the longer-term goal of the One Stop integrated training and employment system, now called Employment Ontario.
Four Regional Directors were hired in the Spring of 2006. They are:
Central Region, Toronto - Barb Simmons
Western Region, London - Sherree Mahood
Northern Region, Sudbury - Peter Armstrong
Eastern Region, Ottawa - Robert Dupuis
And MTCU just recently posted 30 Program Officer positions at the Government of Ontario Jobs site. The posting is available online at www.gojobs.gov.on.ca.
Most of the 600 positions being transferred from Service Canada will transfer employees, but there will be many vacant positions to fill.
Kevin French has been appointed to the position of Assistant Deputy Minister of the Labour Market and Training Division.
He will oversee the change process associated with the Labour Market Development Agreement implementation, as well as the longer-term goal of the One Stop integrated training and employment system, now called Employment Ontario.
Four Regional Directors were hired in the Spring of 2006. They are:
Central Region, Toronto - Barb Simmons
Western Region, London - Sherree Mahood
Northern Region, Sudbury - Peter Armstrong
Eastern Region, Ottawa - Robert Dupuis
And MTCU just recently posted 30 Program Officer positions at the Government of Ontario Jobs site. The posting is available online at www.gojobs.gov.on.ca.
Most of the 600 positions being transferred from Service Canada will transfer employees, but there will be many vacant positions to fill.
Labels: MTCU_Updates
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Brockville LMDA Update Meeting and Women’s Summit
I’m thrilled to report back from this meeting at the Employment and Education Centre in Brockville last Wednesday and Thursday, November 29 and 30.
The LMDA Update on Wednesday was an excellent opportunity for people in Eastern Ontario to hear about LMDA implementation from the MTCU and Service Canada. About fifty stakeholders from community agencies, public and private colleges, and provincial and federal government attended this session presented by Patrick Donnelly (MTCU District Manager for Eastern Region) and Cheri Crosby (Director of Eastern Ontario Service Canada Centres).
The messages weren’t any different from what we at ACTEW have been hearing.
The Employment and Education Centre will share these results in meetings with their MP Gord Brown and MPP Bob Runciman.
Our thanks to the Employment and Education Centre for hosting two fantastic events!
Deanna
The LMDA Update on Wednesday was an excellent opportunity for people in Eastern Ontario to hear about LMDA implementation from the MTCU and Service Canada. About fifty stakeholders from community agencies, public and private colleges, and provincial and federal government attended this session presented by Patrick Donnelly (MTCU District Manager for Eastern Region) and Cheri Crosby (Director of Eastern Ontario Service Canada Centres).
The messages weren’t any different from what we at ACTEW have been hearing.
- Business continuity is the main focus now, meaning there will be as little disruption to agencies and clients as possible as of January 1, 2007.
- Attendees were concerned that communications would be a challenge through the transition, expressing worry that they would not receive accurate and up-to-date information.
- Many felt that keeping client-focused may be difficult through the implementation.
- Attendees also saw the integration of federal and provincial systems as an opportunity for reducing duplication, revisiting program structures, and enhancing and improving client services.
The Employment and Education Centre will share these results in meetings with their MP Gord Brown and MPP Bob Runciman.
Our thanks to the Employment and Education Centre for hosting two fantastic events!
Deanna
Labels: Meetings_and_Events, MTCU_Updates
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Developing Skills through Partnerships Symposium
I attended the Developing Skills through Partnerships Symposium, put on by the Ontario Network of Employment Skills Training Projects (ONESTEP) on Friday, November 24.
The Symposium brought stakeholders together in Toronto from various sectors, including trades, non-profit and public training sectors, and provincial and federal government representatives to discussing how we can best “build Ontario’s Workforce for the 21st Century through a Client-Centred Training and Employment System.”
Honorable Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, opened the conference with a rousing speech, noting that only 30% of people in Ontario qualify for EI and therefore only 30% can access programs funded through EI.
He called for the federal government to honour the LMPA so that Ontario can better serve people who do not qualify for EI. Notably and quotably, Minister Bentley said this:
…to which ACTEW says “here here!”
Also worth mentioning, the conference featured presentations from the governments of Alberta and Quebec, provinces that have had LMDAs in place for close to ten years now.
In particular, I was impressed with the fact that the Quebec model has advisory committees for equity groups, and yes, actually has a women’s advisory committee. This is the first province that I’ve heard of that recognizes women’s specific employment and training issues through a formal group.
Does anyone know of other provinces that has a similar mechanism for women or other equity groups?
You might want to check out the web site www.skillsthroughpartnerships.ca, which will post the presentations given at the Symposium.
Deanna
The Symposium brought stakeholders together in Toronto from various sectors, including trades, non-profit and public training sectors, and provincial and federal government representatives to discussing how we can best “build Ontario’s Workforce for the 21st Century through a Client-Centred Training and Employment System.”
Honorable Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, opened the conference with a rousing speech, noting that only 30% of people in Ontario qualify for EI and therefore only 30% can access programs funded through EI.
He called for the federal government to honour the LMPA so that Ontario can better serve people who do not qualify for EI. Notably and quotably, Minister Bentley said this:
Ontario will never reach its potential until everyone in Ontario reaches their potential.
…to which ACTEW says “here here!”
Also worth mentioning, the conference featured presentations from the governments of Alberta and Quebec, provinces that have had LMDAs in place for close to ten years now.
In particular, I was impressed with the fact that the Quebec model has advisory committees for equity groups, and yes, actually has a women’s advisory committee. This is the first province that I’ve heard of that recognizes women’s specific employment and training issues through a formal group.
Does anyone know of other provinces that has a similar mechanism for women or other equity groups?
You might want to check out the web site www.skillsthroughpartnerships.ca, which will post the presentations given at the Symposium.
Deanna
Labels: ACTEW_Activities, Meetings_and_Events, MTCU_Updates
Monday, October 30, 2006
Update on LMDA Implementation
Jen Liptrot, ACTEW's ED, attended the LMDA Service Delivery Advisory Group meeting on September 6, 2006 and has the following updates to share:
The Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities (MTCU) is taking a slow and steady approach to the planning, which seems likely to result in a better, more inclusive process that builds stakeholder engagement.
MTCU is planning a preliminary series of consultations over the next couple months. Ideally one planning session will happen in each of their 4 regions (Central, Eastern, North and West), facilitated by the new MTCU Regional Directors. Preliminary thinking is that these could be "blended sessions" to include municipal service providers (OW), reps from other provincial ministries, community-based training and employment providers, colleges, employers/organized labour/education, and the literacy sector. The goals of the sessions will include soliciting feedback on future planning process, discussing business continuity, and initiating exchange of program information.
We’ll share information about the consultations as it becomes available.
The Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities (MTCU) is taking a slow and steady approach to the planning, which seems likely to result in a better, more inclusive process that builds stakeholder engagement.
MTCU is planning a preliminary series of consultations over the next couple months. Ideally one planning session will happen in each of their 4 regions (Central, Eastern, North and West), facilitated by the new MTCU Regional Directors. Preliminary thinking is that these could be "blended sessions" to include municipal service providers (OW), reps from other provincial ministries, community-based training and employment providers, colleges, employers/organized labour/education, and the literacy sector. The goals of the sessions will include soliciting feedback on future planning process, discussing business continuity, and initiating exchange of program information.
We’ll share information about the consultations as it becomes available.
Labels: LMDA, MTCU_Updates
