Ottawa, April 28, 2022 – COVID-19 and rapid digitization have disrupted Ontario’s labour force leaving many unable to return to their former occupations. Women, youth, recent newcomers, and racialized Canadians have been significantly impacted. A swift and equitable recovery requires understanding skill demand and supply across what is now an increasingly digital economy.
In collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skill Development through the Ontario Skills Development Fund, the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is launching a year-long project to support those most adversely affected by the pandemic. ICTC’s Reskilling Ontario: Labour Market Rebound for the Next Phase of Workforce Development project aims to enable Ontario workers to re-enter the province’s labour market through industry-validated upskilling opportunities.
By empowering workers currently on the economic sidelines to upskill and re-enter the province’s labour force, Ontario is creating new pathways to resilient employment opportunities. To accomplish this, ICTC is delivering the following:
- Identifying skills matches and gaps among Ontarians adversely affected by the pandemic
- Developing an open and accessible skill mapping web tool with industry-validated upskilling and retraining options to fill skills gaps
- Providing career support for 150 Ontarians to transition to in-demand jobs or retraining opportunities
This project focuses on developing insight into in-demand occupations, with an emphasis on the construction, manufacturing, retail, accommodation, and food services sectors.
“COVID-19 has changed the way we work, and we need to ensure no one is left behind,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “That is why our government is investing in programs like this, which help more than 150 vulnerable workers in the Ottawa region gain the skills they need to find rewarding careers and earn bigger paycheques for themselves and their families.” “We are delighted to undertake this initiative for Minister Monte McNaughton and the Ontario Ministry of Labour Training, and Skills Development to help ascertain the talent and skills needs and pave the way for labour strategies to reintegrate Ontario’s vulnerable workforce in the economy. Building workforce resiliency is critical in this fast-evolving digital marketplace.” Namir Anani, President & CEO
About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a not-for-profit, national centre of expertise for strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in a global economy. ICTC fosters globally competitive Canadian industries enabled by innovative and diverse digital talent through trusted research, practical policy advice, and creative capacity-building programs. In partnership with an expansive network of industry leaders, academic partners, and policymakers across Canada, ICTC has empowered a robust and inclusive digital economy for 30 years.
For more information on this program, please contact Tyler Farmer at @email.
