Learner Skill Attainment

(LMDA), and the Canada-Ontario Labour Market Agreement (LMA). These agreements have resulted in more resources for skills training for the people of Ontario. The LMDA has included the transfer of federal government projects, programs and staff to the provincial government. The LMA will strengthen efforts to maintain a skilled workforce and target the rapid re-employment of unemployed Canadians and new Canadians who want to continue their careers in Ontario.

By 2009-10, both agreements will result in an investment of nearly $900 million per year in skills training in Ontario including apprenticeship, literacy and basic skills, bridge training for new Canadians, and initiatives to involve more Aboriginal people and people with disabilities in skills development programs.

At a time when 70 percent of all new jobs require some form of postsecondary education, Employment Ontario is helping people get the skills they require and the jobs they want, and helping employers find the skilled workers they need. Employment Ontario offers job seekers, newcomers, apprentices, students, employers and communities a single point of access to Ontario’s employment and training programs and services.

(Employment Ontario Program Guide, 2007, p. 2)

Specifically, Employment Ontario will

provide comprehensive employment and skills-related services to improve labour market outcomes for people in Ontario
provide fair and convenient access to customer services in communities across Ontario including access by telephone and Internet
provide individuals with information on the full array of services they need to achieve labour market goals
provide flexible and innovative approaches to labour market and community needs through a broad range of services, including labour market information, job matching and employment counselling
provide specialized assistance for individuals such as Aboriginal peoples, new immigrants, long-term unemployed, and older workers with particular barriers to training, employment and re-employment
expand services to employers to help them find the people and skills they need and to encourage them to increase investment in skills development
use an effective system for managing performance of the third party agencies delivering training and employment programs across Ontario