Ontario Government Shuts Down 14 Practice Firms
MONTREAL, Feb. 2, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Le Réseau canadien des entreprises d'entraînement - The Canadian Practice Firms Network announced this week that the Government of Ontario has confirmed that they will no longer be funding Practice Firms in Ontario.
This has come as a major blow to the RCEE-CPFN as Ontario's Practice Firms represent almost 35% of Canada's Practice Firms and will result in a significant drop in service and support for Canada's unemployed.
Ontario Practice Firms have been helping Ontarians get jobs for over 10 years. Even in a recession, success rates of Practice Firms remained high; 85% of clients find employment within three months of completing the program. In 8 to 12 weeks, job seekers find jobs quickly , contributing again to their local economies and meeting the skill needs of employers. Practice Firms work with over 3,000 employers to help them find the talent they need to remain competitive in today's labour market.
Unique Approach
No other service in Ontario gives clients both the opportunity to practice their skills in a business setting and to conduct a focused job search. Job seekers gain global experience as the Practice Firms operates within an economy made up of over 7,500 Practice Firms worldwide. This network has increased by 2,000 firms in the last four years, evidence of their success in helping people find employment.
The Practice Firm model supports a wide range of job seekers such as: individuals receiving income support, persons with disabilities, newcomers needing Canadian work experience, post secondary school graduates having difficulty transitioning to paid employment and people who have been out of the job market and need to refresh their skills.
Scott Mitchell, Chair of the RCEE-CPFN Board of Directors, said, "The decision of the Government of Ontario is regrettable and misguided. The key to our economic recovery is getting people back to work. Ontario Practice Firms have continually reported success rates up to 85% in getting job seekers back into the workforce!"
Dolorès Soucy, General Manager of the RCEE-CPFN agreed, and added, "Although the practice firm concept has grown worldwide by over 4,500 practice firms in the past fifteen years, the decision of the Province of Ontario takes a turn in the opposite direction. The practice firm concept has been supported in Canada for the past 15 years. Just last week, three new practice firm projects were launched in the Quebec City area."
The RCEE-CPFN regards this as a wakeup call for Ontarians to voice their opinions on how the government is handling the jobs crisis at a time when the economy continues to struggle. Job seekers, who benefit from the hands-on, real life work experience offered through the Practice Firms, will no longer enjoy the benefits and competitive edge that the "Practice Firm experience" offers them.
The RCEE-CPFN hopes that the Government of Ontario will reconsider its decision and reinstate funding to Ontario Practice Firms.
Dolorès Soucy
General Manager
Réseau canadien des entreprises d'entraînement - Canadian Practice Firms Network
T 1 855 508-1620 F 1 514 721-9114
[email protected] www.rcee-cpfn.ca
Share this article