TORONTO – The McGuinty government today launched Employment Ontario, its new, integrated gateway to training and employment services in Ontario, announced Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

“Our government knows that people and employers are looking for opportunities in our expanding economy,” Bentley said. “Employers looking for skilled workers and people looking for training and jobs don’t always know where to start or how to use the services we have. Employment Ontario provides a single point of access to coordinated training services that help people achieve their goals.”

Employment Ontario provides seamless, coordinated training, apprenticeship and labour market services, bringing together about 470 service providers in almost 900 locations funded by the Ontario government. Employment Ontario services will help over 500,000 Ontarians this year, including 76,750 employers. Today, the McGuinty government is launching:
• A new program name – Employment Ontario, Ontario’s employment and training network – to better reflect the integrated nature of the system and what it will deliver
• An easy-to-use new website [www.ontario.ca/employmentontario] with updated training and employment system information and access to an improved database of programs and services in communities across the province
• A toll-free hotline – 1-800-387-5656 – with expanded call centre capabilities for related services
• New multilingual web access to program information in 21 languages in addition to English and French

Currently, the government of Ontario will spend approximately $340 million through its Employment Ontario service delivery partners, representing an increase of $42.4 million over the past two years since 2004-05.

“Our goal is to provide user friendly access to employment training,” Bentley said. “Employment Ontario focuses on meeting local needs so that employers can find the skilled workers they need and people can pursue the training and learning they need to fully participate in our economy.”