Ontario Government Invests $878,878 For New Canadians For Training to Land Jobs In Trades Sector

The Ontario Government has invested $878,878 through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream to support new Canadians in Peterborough-Kawartha in acquiring skills for jobs in the construction industry, announced at Toromont Cat and Battlefield Equipment Rentals on Thursday.

Trainer Shawn Shaw (left) gives a lesson on heavy machinery to New Canadian students getting into the trades sector. Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect more than half a million job seekers with skills and training for careers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This funding is a part of our broader effort to strengthen Ontario’s workforce, improve productivity, and protect workers from U.S. tariffs, according to David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

“Our government is protecting Ontario by investing in the tools, training, and resources needed to keep our workforce strong,” he said. “Through targeted funding, we’re strengthening our supply chains, growing a job-ready workforce, and building the foundation for a more self-reliant and productive province – one that can compete, deliver and win.”

The investment is made in partnership with Utimus, a business that aims to provide new Canadians with proper training to enter the workforce. Augmented by some online training and job resumé help, students can go through training as quickly as two to three weeks said Brian Macdonald, Utimus CEO.

“We have a number of partners and through those partners, we deliver both online and in-person training,” he explained. “In this case, we do heavy equipment training and some basic carpenter skills to get New Canadians into worksites as quickly as possible and ultimately careers in the skilled trades.”

The ‘Training New Canadians for Construction Jobs’ program aims to prepare newcomers to Canada to work in the construction sector in Eastern Ontario such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and other in-demand skilled trades said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“By investing in new Canadians, we're not only helping them build a new life in Ontario but also addressing a critical labour shortage in the construction industry,” he said. “This funding will ensure that our newcomers have the skills to thrive and contribute to a stronger, more prosperous Ontario.”

@ptbo_canada The Ontario Government has invested $878,878 through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream to support new Canadians in Peterborough-Kawartha in acquiring skills for jobs in the construction industry. #ptbocanada #peterborough #journalism #news #fyp ♬ Trendsetter - Connor Price & Haviah Mighty

The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is open to a wide range of applicants, including employers, industry associations, labour unions, hospitals and more.

“We are training excellent people that are ready to go on your jobsite,” said Macdonald. “They've got the safety training, they've got basic skills, they're going to provide good labour so let's get them building.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Ontario Government Introducing Legislation For Employers to Disclose Salary Range and AI Use In Hiring

The Ontario Government intends to introduce legislation that, if passed, would require employers to include expected salary ranges in job postings and disclose if artificial intelligence (AI) is used in its hiring process, announced at the YMCA on Monday morning.

SCreenshot.

Disclosing this information allows employees to make informed decisions in their career search, according to the Ontario Government. Ontario would be the first jurisdiction in Canada to require businesses to disclose if AI is used during their hiring process.

“At a time when many companies are posting record profits, it is only fair they communicate transparently about how they pay workers,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “And as the use of artificial intelligence in Ontario skyrockets, our government will continue to take action to ensure workers aren’t excluded from the job market because of technological biases and that their privacy rights are protected.”

AI tools and algorithms are being adopted by Ontario businesses at a rapid rate and generate high volumes of personal data about job applicants and employees, according to a press release. In response to the growing concerns about the ethical, legal and privacy implications of AI, the provincial government is proposing to require employers to inform potential employees if it is being used in the hiring process.

The Ontario Government continues to vow to help end workplace misconduct and hold abusers to account. They will also be conducting consultations and detailed analysis on ending the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in the settlement of cases of workplace sexual harassment, misconduct or violence, as stated by Piccini.

“The consultations will identify legislative options to restrict the use of NDAs while protecting the rights of victims and survivors,” he said. “It’s past time we end a practice that allows businesses to shelter the behaviour of some of the worst members of our communities.”

These changes are part of a larger package that, if passed, would expand on the ground-breaking actions introduced in the Working for Workers Acts, 2021, 2022 and 2023. They will be unveiled in the coming days to protect workers, help them earn bigger paycheques and help newcomers contribute to building Ontario according to a press release.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough County Hires New County Leadership Team Member

Jennifer Stover, has been appointed the new Chief Information/Financial Officer/Sr. Director of Corporate Services for Peterborough County announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

Stover is coming from The City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL), where she worked as their Corporate Services Director. Prior to her job at CKL, Stover worked for the Town of East Gwillimbury and the City of Markham.

She holds a B.A. Hons. Commerce from Laurentian University, and has her Certified Professional Accountant designation.

Her well-rounded expertise is said to be extremely valuable for the County.

Stover will start in this position on Oct. 31.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Employment Planning and Counselling Peterborough Is Hosting An Open House To Celebrate 40 Years

Employment Planning & Counselling Peterborough is hosting an Open house on Wednesday to celebrate their 40th anniversary and to help job seekers find employment.

Nine employers will be on site, including SGS, Quaker, AON and more to take resumes and meet with potential employees.

EPC’s virtual reality career exploration system will be there for visitors to try.

The VR system allows visitors to experience up to 30 different careers.

Those visiting will also be able to seek help refining their resume for future job hunts.

“It’s for everyone,” said “Even if you’re not a job seeker, if you’re a small business looking for employees we can help with that. Certainly is there’s anyone looking for work or looking to change careers - they can come here any day but Wednesday there will be a lot going on.”

The Open House will take place at 418 Sheridan St. on Wednesday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Concentrix To Hold Weekly Summer Hiring Events For Full-Time Positions

Concentrix Peterborough is hosting live virtual hiring sessions from 4 – 5 p.m. every Wednesday throughout the summer beginning on May 11.

Concentrix staff temporarily work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

They are hiring for their customer service representative full-time positions.

The following are job requirements:

• Courteous with strong customer service orientation

• High School diploma or equivalent

• Six months of customer service minimum

• Typing speed of 35 wpm minimum

• Dependable with attention to detail

• Familiarity with iOS and/or macOS, or comparable technology, is preferred

Applicants can e-mail ptbocareers@concentrix.com to learn more or to receive a Zoom invite.

Concentrix encourages anyone who cannot attend a session to view available roles at jobs.concentrix.com.

Applicants can also apply directly at their job postings.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.