Hamilton Chamber of Commerce to Government: Get Employer-Driven Training Programs Right

· by Marilyn Butkovic

Hamilton, ON, September 08, 2014: The Government of Ontario must ensure that upcoming changes to the province’s training and employment programs reflect the needs of employers, according to a new report released by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Essential Skills Ontario.

The call comes as the government works to reinvent the way that many training and employment programs are delivered in the province by giving employers a more direct role in the type of training their workers receive. The bulk of these programs will be supported through the Canada-Ontario Job Grant, which will cover two-thirds of the cost of training a current or prospective worker, with government chipping in up to $10,000.

“By encouraging businesses to invest more in their employees, these new employer-driven programs could be an important step toward improving Ontario’s economic competitiveness,” says Allan O’Dette, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “But they’ll only succeed if they are designed with the needs of employers in mind.”

The report, Moving Forward Together, makes the case that programs should be easy to access for employers. “We recognize that measures are required to maintain the integrity of these programs and minimize fraud,” adds O’Dette. “But government needs to be conscious that onerous red tape and paperwork will only deter employers from participating in the program.”

It also calls on government to foster collaboration among companies in the design of training programs to minimize the risk of poaching and to lower the costs associated with training. This will require government to develop a close relationship with sector associations that are already providing workforce training.

In addition, the report drives home the importance of increasing engagement between government and the business community as most employers are unaware of current training and employment provisions available to them.

“Hamilton has one of the most diverse economies in Canada according to the Conference Board. This diversity means our community has additional potential to take advantage of a well-designed program.” says Keanin Loomis, President & CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

“We particularly agree with the report’s recommendations concerning the additional concessions that must be create to incentivize small and medium enterprises that form the bulk of Hamilton’s economy. These sentiments were echoed during our member consultation process as well” adds Loomis.

Moving Forward Together: An Employer Perspective on the Design of Skills Training Programs in Ontario is based on extensive consultations with employers and training providers from across the province. Read the report.  Download the report Moving Forward Together in PDF format.

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For more information, please contact:
Huzaifa Saeed, Policy & Research Analyst
C: 905-220-3030 | T: 905-522-1151 ext: 230 | E: h.saeed@hamiltonchamber.ca