On Friday February 14, 2020 the government announced a significant milestone in its ongoing transformation of employment services. After a two-stage competitive process, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has selected service system managers (SSMs) for three previously identified catchment areas, where the prototype for the new employment services model will begin.
The government’s goal is that the new employment service system will be efficient, cost-effective, and focused on helping all job seekers, businesses, and communities, including those on social assistance or with a disability. By integrating and modernizing the delivery of employment services, they can help job seekers – including those with disabilities and on social assistance – find employment in good jobs and help employers get the workers they need to grow their businesses.
The service system managers are:
- The Fedcap Consortium for the Hamilton-Niagara Peninsula
- Fleming College for Muskoka-Kawarthas, and
- WCG, part of the APM Group for Peel.
Beginning April 1, SSMs will oversee your organization’s contract for providing employment services within the prototype region. As such, the process for developing your contract will be slightly different this year.
New Contracts for 2020-21 (April 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020)
As of April 1, 2020, your contract will be with the new SSM in your area. Your initial agreement will be for a six-month period from April 1 to September 30, 2020.
The SSMs will begin by establishing a presence in their prototype region and familiarizing themselves with the existing service provider network. SSMs will be contacting you for an initial meeting to discuss next steps in the coming weeks.
Decisions about future contracts from October 1 onwards will be made by the SSM and communicated to you by the SSM. Prior to the October 1 date, SSMs will submit plans to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development outlining their approach to service delivery and network changes. This plan will be reviewed to ensure it meets ministry-established standards.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development both have been very clear that they recognize the need for specific consideration regarding the service approach for people who have a disability as part of the transformation. The government remains committed to working with delivery partners and stakeholders to effectively support people who have disability in securing and sustaining employment.
At this time, the Ministry asks that you continue to be in touch with your program supervisor if you have any questions or require further information.
We have attached the information sheets for each catchment area published on Friday afternoon:
Read full MCCSS Memorandum Here
Employment Transformation Key Messages
Ontario Adopting Process To Better Connect Job-seekers in Hamilton-Niagara
Ontario Adopting Process To Better Connect Job-seekers in Muskoka-Kawarthas
Ontario Adopting Process To Better Connect Job-seekers in Peel