The province is undertaking a review of its current training programs to ensure workers have the skills employers need.
Launched on March 9, the province said the Workforce Development and Training Review will include consultations with industry, employers, and other partners who play a role in hiring, training, and retraining talent.
It will look at how to improve existing programs, including Second Career and the Canada-Ontario Job Grant.
"In a world of global competition and rapid technological change, it is essential that Ontario's workers and businesses remain competitive," said Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s minister of labour, training and skills development, in a March 9 news release.
"That is why we will work closely with experts from the labour, training and education sectors and from employers to learn how we can ensure that Ontario has the talent to prosper today and in the future."
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According to the release, the province will also develop a workforce development and training action plan, which will “provide a roadmap for ensuring Ontario workers have the skills to find good, high-quality jobs in a changing economy.”
There was no word on when the review would start, nor a timeline for its expected completion.
But the announcement was accompanied by endorsements from both the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
“Labour and skills shortages are the manufacturers’ top concern,” said Mathew Wilson, the CME’s senior vice-president of policy and government relations and Ontario.
“Two-thirds of manufacturers have issues today finding the workers they need and 75 per cent expect significant labour shortages in the next five years. Specifically, manufacturers struggle to retain and attract youth and to find workers with the right skills.”
