Employment Ontario Programs and Services

1. Employment OntarioPrograms and Services May 13, 2011

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

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

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

5. Components of the Employment Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

26. Questions?

27. Thank You! www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employmentontario/