KITCHENER — The Ontario government is working for workers by investing over $300,000 in the Project Read Literacy Network to provide free job skills training to people with developmental disabilities and others facing barriers to employment, such as mental health issues, brain injury, or autism. The Leg Up! To Retail program prepares participants for meaningful jobs in the community by teaching essential skills like customer service, completing a sales transaction, retail math, and communication. Training will empower participants to find rewarding work with local retailers in Waterloo and Wellington and help fill the local labour shortage.
“Everything our government is doing is to help people find meaningful work close to home, earn a good paycheque, and build stronger communities,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “This investment means that people with disabilities in Waterloo and Wellington regions will have the opportunity to gain crucial life skills that will help them provide for themselves, contribute to the growing local economy and, most importantly, find a job that they can be proud of.”
Each cohort of learners will receive eight weeks of training available at various community partner locations across the region. It will include up to $500 in support for each participant to ensure disability-related services and needs are met. Participants can also receive financial support for travel expenses, and access mentorship and mental health services through a job coach and workshops.
In addition to retail-specific skills, the program teaches more general employment skills like job professionalism, coping with feelings, conflict resolution, and balancing work and personal life.
“We are very excited to bring adult literacy and developmental services together to develop and deliver an all-new Leg UP! to Retail program,” said Robin Crank, Project Manager, Project Read Literacy Network. “We know this will help job seekers to find and maintain their employment by building and applying their literacy skills through practical experiences while also supporting the retail employers to find the candidates they need. The retail sector has struggled through the pandemic and this new training will make it possible for more adults to access these jobs.”
Upon completion, participants will have the opportunity to work with local employers, potentially leading to permanent jobs in retail positions within the community.
“I am very thankful to the Minister of Labour for acknowledging this need within the community and for taking action to provide free job skills training to those individuals who need it,” said Mike Harris, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga. “This funding will provide access to rewarding jobs and help our workforce become a more diverse and accessible space for all.”
This project is funded by Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, a more than $200 million initiative that supports innovative programs that connect job seekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying careers close to home.