September 15, 2011
Aim of workshops is to improve human resources
By Sally Harvey CLT, CLP
Education and Labour Development Department
As I write this article (third week of August), we have completed three of four solutions-based workshops in Ottawa (Algonquin College), Toronto (Humber College) and London (Fanshawe College). We plan to host the final workshop in Northern Ontario, in Thunder Bay early in September.
At the workshops, attendees were focused on:
Workshop attendees were focused, productive and provided concrete information that will certainly assist our project’s human resources consultant and marketing consultant with the next steps, which include the development and communication of the employer HR toolkit and the HR capacity plan.
Once the toolkit and capacity plan are developed, we will invite a focus group to Landscape Ontario this autumn to review and provide feedback.
The final toolkit and capacity plan will be made available online to all industry members and partners in January of 2012. If you wish to be involved at this level, please watch for the invitation in your inbox this September.
The survey report was released in early August and can be found at www.horttrades.com/labour-resources (see story on page 18). Look for the survey heading. I draw your attention to pages 1 to 4, where you will find the executive summary, and pages 78 to 80, where the key observations are identified.
Dates range from November 2011 to January 2012. Each delivery institution has a unique program start date. Make sure you register today with the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to ensure you secure your seat, and to get a head start on the workplace training standard sign-off book. The MTCU registration process takes time, thus the sense of urgency. The 12-week, in-class learning segments for the Horticulture Apprenticeship program Level 1 and Level 2 are available at the following colleges/locations: University of Guelph, Kemptville College, Fanshawe College, Humber College, Loyalist College and Mohawk College. For more information on the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship program go to www.horttrades.com/apprenticeship, where you will find the pre-registration form. Complete the form and fax in immediately to the MTCU office in your region as directed on the form to get the process started.
For a detailed, step-by-step guide, check out CAF-FCA’s Employer Toolkit, http://bit.ly/n5elXC.
Register your employees for apprenticeship training without delay, where they will learn primarily by doing and gain the opportunity to achieve their Red Seal certification. As the industry continues to grow, we must plan to ensure that we have a skilled workforce to support and sustain the expected growth that is projected for our businesses and the industry.
Contact Sally Harvey should you have any questions at sharvey@landscapontario.com.
Education and Labour Development Department
As I write this article (third week of August), we have completed three of four solutions-based workshops in Ottawa (Algonquin College), Toronto (Humber College) and London (Fanshawe College). We plan to host the final workshop in Northern Ontario, in Thunder Bay early in September.At the workshops, attendees were focused on:
- Identifying solutions to issues and barriers to skilled labour development, as identified in the labour issues survey report.
- Providing input on an effective employer human resources tool kit to be prepared by Landscape Ontario, to better equip employers with recruitment and retention strategies.
- Providing input on the priority components of a sector-wide human resource capacity plan to gain an industry-wide competitive advantage.
- Providing input on the type of marketing program that will entice employers and their employees to participate in skilled labour development opportunities that include apprenticeship, certification and skill development training.
- Providing feedback on which communication channels are preferred to receive and access information.
- Identifying any challenges or barriers in the past, regarding accessing information of this type from Landscape Ontario.
Workshop attendees were focused, productive and provided concrete information that will certainly assist our project’s human resources consultant and marketing consultant with the next steps, which include the development and communication of the employer HR toolkit and the HR capacity plan.
Once the toolkit and capacity plan are developed, we will invite a focus group to Landscape Ontario this autumn to review and provide feedback.
The final toolkit and capacity plan will be made available online to all industry members and partners in January of 2012. If you wish to be involved at this level, please watch for the invitation in your inbox this September.
Labour Market Partnership Project
Entitled, ‘Identifying Labour Issues and Challenges in the Landscape Horticulture Industry,’ this Employment Ontario project is funded by the Ontario Government.The survey report was released in early August and can be found at www.horttrades.com/labour-resources (see story on page 18). Look for the survey heading. I draw your attention to pages 1 to 4, where you will find the executive summary, and pages 78 to 80, where the key observations are identified.
Apprenticeship training season
A reminder to register employees for the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship training programs.Dates range from November 2011 to January 2012. Each delivery institution has a unique program start date. Make sure you register today with the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to ensure you secure your seat, and to get a head start on the workplace training standard sign-off book. The MTCU registration process takes time, thus the sense of urgency. The 12-week, in-class learning segments for the Horticulture Apprenticeship program Level 1 and Level 2 are available at the following colleges/locations: University of Guelph, Kemptville College, Fanshawe College, Humber College, Loyalist College and Mohawk College. For more information on the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship program go to www.horttrades.com/apprenticeship, where you will find the pre-registration form. Complete the form and fax in immediately to the MTCU office in your region as directed on the form to get the process started.
Making apprenticeship work for you
Making plans for your firm’s apprenticeship program is an important factor for success. The following is a list of simple best practices that you should consider to ensure success as an apprenticeship employer.- Prepare your staff (apprentices and trainers)
- Welcome apprentices and make them feel valued
- Envision a career path, not just a job
- Plan training with the trainer and apprenticeGradually give the apprentice less supervision and more responsibility once competency is achieved
- Respect and commit to the need for classroom instruction
- Keep accurate records
For a detailed, step-by-step guide, check out CAF-FCA’s Employer Toolkit, http://bit.ly/n5elXC.
Register your employees for apprenticeship training without delay, where they will learn primarily by doing and gain the opportunity to achieve their Red Seal certification. As the industry continues to grow, we must plan to ensure that we have a skilled workforce to support and sustain the expected growth that is projected for our businesses and the industry.
Contact Sally Harvey should you have any questions at sharvey@landscapontario.com.