MICROSKILLS' SUPPLY CHAIN AWARENESS PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYMENT

MicroSkills, a Toronto-based non-profit organization that provides settlement and employment services to individuals – in particular immigrants, youth, people from visible minorities, and low-income women – completed Phase I of its Supply Chain Awareness Program for Employment (SCAPE) project in early 2010. Through the two-year awareness and employment project, MicroSkills undertook to increase the participation of internationally trained individuals (ITIs) in the supply chain sector, and succeeded. As of March 31, 2010, 232 project participants – more than the hoped-for 225 – had completed the program. Of those, 70 had been placed in jobs in their field and 38 had jobs in related fields. While the placement levels are lower than desired, the outcome isn't surprising given the recession's impact on hiring during the project's term.

Since 2008, the Council has been advisory and sector liaison partner in the SCAPE program. As well as being a member of the program advisory board, the Council has helped to attract other appropriate members to that board, to involve several of the pillar associations in the program, to offer monthly introduction-to-the-supply-chain presentations to incoming program participants, and to interest employers in participating.

MicroSkills recently received funding to carry on for another year with a modified version of the SCAPE project. The Council will continue to be involved in the project.