Education/training
A new website and 1-800 number will reduce duplication.Job training given boostThe provincial government has set up a new umbrella agency to oversee hundreds of job placement and training agencies across the province. HANK DANISZEWSKI |
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 [ 2006-12-02 ] |
The provincial government has set up a new umbrella agency to oversee hundreds of job placement and training agencies across the province.
Employment Ontario will provide a single website and 1-800 number for both job seekers and employees, said Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Chris Bentley.
He said the Ontario government is now funding 470 agencies at 900 locations providing job training and placement ranging from basic literacy programs to apprenticeship training.
"That's all great, but where do you start? Employment Ontario is the place when you don't know where to start," said Bentley making the announcement at the London Chamber of Commerce yesterday.
Bentley is not planning to merge or eliminate any of the agencies delivering the services but simply provide "one-stop" shopping, he said.
"This does not eliminate your identity at all. It's not a rebranding. It's just another link to an individual who doesn't know who you are or what you do," said Bentley, who is also MPP for London West.
The new agency will be welcomed by businesses across the province who are often confused by a patchwork of service agencies, said Chamber of Commerce general manager Gerry Macartney.
"This will go a long way to demystify the maze that is out there. It's all good and valuable but it's confusing and business people do not have the time," he said.
The new agency will become even more important after Jan. 1, when the provincial government will take over most federal job training programs under a new agreement, said Bentley.
There are dozens of provincially-funded job training and placement services in the London area alone including Job Connects, The London Unemployment Help Centre and Youth Opportunities Unlimited.
Bentley is also working with construction companies and trade unions on an agreement loosening education restrictions on hiring badly-needed apprentices for the industry. If a deal is reached, the apprentices would be allowed to start their training as they work to complete their high school credits.
Bentley has already reached a deal with the trucking industry to allow a voluntary trucking apprenticeship for people who have not completed high school.
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