Exploratory learnings with post-secondary institutions and workforce planning boards across Ontario

Often what comes out of the labour force strategy is a workforce development plan which defines the skills and capabilities needed for future sector needs, identifies key gaps in the current workforce, and creates innovative strategies and programs to build, buy, borrow, and apply those capabilities all with the worker in the center. [...] The goals of the learning circles were to have strategic discussions and understand the following: Post-secondary institutions’ level of engagement with the nonprofit sector and support for students’ learning and career development needs about the sector. [...] The learning circle focused on the following themes, and provided space for nonprofits to share their thoughts, experiences, challenges, and ideas: successes and challenges with engagement with post-secondary institutions, partnerships to prepare students for entering the nonprofit workforce, and nonprofit preparation of onboarding students and/or recent graduates. [...] There are many critiques from the sector on the design and implementation CSJ program and in late 2023, the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) began its study of the Canada Summer Jobs wage subsidy program to determine how the program can be modified to improve funding and flexibility for applicants. [...] The main goal for the learning circle was to create an opportunity for cross-learning between ONN and workforce planning boards, and to better understand how they work with and support the sector.