Skills, Training, Partnerships

Smart companies hire people who fit the way they do business. Equitable, proactive employers are more than prepared to hire individuals who are employment-disadvantaged.

People with disabilities seeking employment are capable of doing competent work. Frequently, though, they don’t possess the marketable skills and experience required to meet specified job qualifications. Often specific training is what they need to meet a job’s basic requirements.

SKILLS TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS assists companies to develop training programs that provide job-ready employees for available jobs. We do it by helping to clarify their goals and then connecting them with partners that provide the services they need...partners such as agencies that refer training candidates, educational institutions that provide training expertise and training funders. Together they enable people with disabilities to gain real skills for real jobs.

PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS TO COMPANIES THAT PARTICIPATE:
- Saves time: Using our knowledge and expertise about employment and disability, we will help you to clarify your goals and objectives around an S.T.P. training program. Our connections in the community simplify the process of recruiting relevant partners.
- Saves money: Finding the right people for the right job and training them to do their job well can reduce attrition and recruitment/retraining costs. Our Training Consultants assist in every phase of developing a training program.
- Enhances equity results: Your hiring track record towards people with disabilities will be greatly enhanced through an S.T.P. training program.
- Proactive ownership: Dealing proactively with the demands of the modern workplace puts you in the driver’s seat. Implementing a custom-designed S.T.P. training program provides employees who fit the way you do business.
Joint initiatives: If your company is not hiring at levels high enough for an individual S.T.P. training program, we will find other company partners with which to pool jobs and share in a joint training venture.
- Excellent service: Investing in human resource development makes good business sense. We’re here to encourage and look after your investments.

STP TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR ANY SITUATION
Employers who hire in numbers for entry level positions are able to develop individual S.T.P. training programs. For example, in Toronto, the Bank of Montreal is involved in an S.T.P. training program with 15 participants preparing for bank teller/customer service representative positions. It is a partnership with centennial College, as training provider, and the Training Co-ordinating Group, as funder. All graduates will be hired for jobs in bank branches in the Toronto region. Classroom training began in May and practicums in branches in July.

Hetty O’Donnell, Manager in the Bank’s Workplace Equality department, has been involved from the outset. "S.T.P.’s experience was invaluable to its success. We are delighted to have this opportunity to participate with the CCRW in this program for people with disabilities." The Bank is interested in developing S.T.P. training programs in other locations, as well.

For employers who hire in fewer numbers, joint S.T.P. training programs with other companies that have similar jobs are developed. In Calgary, for instance, seven hotels and one restaurant have joined together with the assistance of S.T.P. Training Consultant Cal Schuler to start the Hospitality Careers Training Program for 12 participants. Other members of this partnership include local referral agencies, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) as the training provider, and the regional office of Employment & Immigration as funder. The eight employers, Chateau Airport Hotel, Delta Bow Valley Hotel, Elbow River Inn (Granny’s Kitchen), Glenmore Inn, Palliser Hotel, Quality Hotel, Skyline Plaza Hotel, Westin Hotel, and Denny’s Restaurant, are extremely enthusiastic about the program.

Starting on April 19th, six participants in housekeeping skills and six in food preparation skills trained for 10 weeks at SAIT. The participants were then placed with employer partners for nine weeks of practicum work. They graduated on August 20th with the basic skills to work as hotel room attendants or cook’s helpers. It is anticipated that most will be hired by the partner employers within a few months of completing their training.

In Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba, S.T.P. training consultants will assist your company to develop and implement a custom-designed training program. Please contact the S.T.P. office nearest you for further information.

Winnipeg Head Office:
410 Lombard Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T6
Voice: (204) 942-4862
TTY: (204) 944-0341
Fax: (204) 944-0753

Calgary Office:
300, 840 - 6 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2P 3E5
Voice/TTY: (403) 266-3490
Fax: (403) 266-3540

Toronto Office:
20 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5H 1C4
Voice/TTY: (416) 974-5575
Fax: (416) 974-5577


INTRODUCING THE CORPORATE TRAINING ACCESS PROGRAM

A new and innovative opportunity for job candidates with disabilities offering them access to larger companies’ internal skills training programs has been launched in Calgary, Toronto and Winnipeg. Through SKILLS TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS, CCRW has launched the CORPORATE TRAINING ACCESS PROGRAM (CTAP). It not only enhances individuals’ employment potential but benefits participating companies by providing broader opportunities for their employees to experience the abilities of these motivated individuals. CTAp is being piloted in the three S.T.P. sites under current funding from EIC. Funding is being pursued to replicate it in other centres. Companies, participants with disabilities and agencies are being recruited for this program.

CTAP consists of a curriculum of available courses from companies’ internal training programs made available to persons with disabilities who are either unemployed, underemployed (having no access to training) or on staff with a non-profit organization. Potential participants may apply personally or be referred by a participating agency.

The benefits of this program are outstanding for all involved. For employers, offering their courses demonstrates a commitment to workplace diversity and has positive effects on staff. persons with disabilities upgrade their skills and add impressive entries to their resumes. Agencies can build or expand their corporate contacts.

For a pamphlet or further information, contact the CCRW/STP office nearest you.