The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development announced a comprehensive review of its portfolio of training programs on March 10. The intent of the review is to ensure that workers receive adequate training for the skills employers want.

The Workforce Development and Training Review will include consultations with industry, employers and other partners who play a role in hiring, training and retraining talent. The review will study how to improve existing skills training programs, including the Second Career and the Canada-Ontario Job Grant, as well as other workforce development system features, like local workforce planning.

"In a world of global competition and rapid technological change, it is essential that Ontario's workers and businesses remain competitive," said Minister Monte McNaughton. "That is why we will work closely with experts from the labour, training and education sectors and from employers to learn how we can ensure that Ontario has the talent to prosper today and in the future."

The review will also provide the foundation for the province's first workforce development and training action plan, which will provide a roadmap for ensuring Ontario workers have the skills to find good, high-quality jobs. Ontario's approach follows other jurisdictions in Canada and around the world, who have responded to technological advancement and workforce changes by developing comprehensive workforce development strategies.

"To make our economy fit for the future, we need to support all Ontario workers," said McNaughton. "Be it postsecondary education, apprenticeship, job training and retraining, employer-driven training, life-long learning, skilled immigration—we can't afford to leave any stone unturned if we want to make sure our economy remains competitive, and that Ontario workers are prepared for jobs and opportunities to come."

According to Mathew Wilson, senior vice-president, policy and government relations and Ontario, with the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, two-thirds of manufacturers have difficulty finding the workers they need and three-quarters expect significant labour shortages in the next five years.

“Labour and skills shortages are the manufacturers’ top concerns,” he said. “We welcome the Government of Ontario’s review of workplace training programs to help address the labour and skills shortages and achieve economic prosperity in Ontario.”