Ontario – The Ontario government is investing $6.5 million to launch five innovative training programs that give people with disabilities the skills they need to land meaningful jobs in their communities. This is part of Ontario’s $700 million Skills Development Fund, which supports innovative ideas for training and skills development to help drive Ontario’s economic growth and build a stronger province.
The funding recipients include:
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
- Canadian National Institute for the Blind is receiving $3,476,885 for a project helping youth who are blind, partially sighted or deafblind find jobs. This includes providing mentorship and coaching programs, goal-setting workshops, accessible technology training and peer support groups.
- The program will also help Ontario employers better accommodate workers with sight loss.
- This project will help 1,300 people work in many sectors including health care, digital media, retail and education across Ontario.
Community Living Toronto
- Community Living Toronto is receiving $1,816,053 to support a project that aims to help more people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find jobs. Through the MyJobMatch (MJM), job seekers are connected with employers who are seeking to fill positions in industries such as hospitality, customer service, retail, IT, manufacturing, janitorial and maintenance.
- This project will help 2,400 people access employment in Toronto and the surrounding area.
Do Good Donuts
- Do Good Donuts is receiving $149,230 for a project that supports youth with intellectual and or developmental disabilities through a work-based training program that includes hands-on training for front and back of house roles, and comprehensive wrap around supports including training for applicable certificates. Participants will also be supported as they transition into employment in the community.
- This project will help 15 people work in the hospitality industry within the greater Toronto area.
Geneva Centre for Autism
- Geneva Centre for Autism is receiving $848,890 to support a project that aims to better prepare people with autism for good jobs.
- Participants will receive eight weeks of accessible pre-employment group training followed by an additional four weeks of one-to-one support with an employment facilitator for skill building, career exploration, resource development, certification courses and other opportunities based on individual career goals and skills.
- This project will train 20 staff, from a network of 25 employers, to hire, accommodate, and retain employees with autism.
- It will also prepare 20 people to work in various sectors in the Toronto area.
PTP Adult Learning & Employment Programs
- PTP Adult Learning & Employment Programs is receiving $256,177 to support a project to help people with intellectual disabilities find meaningful employment.
- Working with George Brown College’s College Vocational (CV) Program, this program will focus on employability skills training, employment counselling, specialized workshops, and assistance in securing work placements.
- This project will help 35 people in the Toronto area work in their sectors of interest and could include hospitality, childcare, retail, and IT.