10/19/2013 7:35:54 PM

October 18, 2013
The City of Toronto is helping people find jobs and helping businesses find the skilled employees they need. Today Councillor Adam Vaughan (Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina) launched the second annual Workforce Development Week, which runs from October 21 to October 25. During this time, the City and its partners will showcase initiatives, programs and events that are successfully connecting employers and job seekers.

"For the past three years, the City of Toronto has been focused on creating the conditions to drive economic growth and boost employment in our city. We are committed to keeping our great city prosperous by helping businesses thrive," said Mayor Rob Ford. "We are also working to keep our economy strong by helping unemployed Toronto residents get back into the workforce. We are not only doing this during Workforce Development Week, but throughout the year across the city."

In March 2012, City Council unanimously endorsed Working as One: A Workforce Development Strategy for Toronto. This strategy has three key objectives: ensuring that employers' workforce needs are addressed; ensuring that job seekers get access to opportunities and jobs; and delivering the best possible value to employers, job seekers, communities and the City for the resources invested in workforce development.

Today's launch took place at the newly opened Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, where City staff have been working closely to help residents connect to emerging employment opportunities there.

Several corporate and community partners were on hand today as Councillor Vaughan announced an impressive line-up of events, including hiring events, employment centre open houses, employer forums and small business events.

"It is inspiring to see the private and public sectors create new jobs together," said Councillor Adam Vaughan (Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina). "We are all invested in making this city a better place to work and to live, and Workforce Development Week shows how the City of Toronto is making that happen across the city."

Patricia Walcott, General Manager of Toronto Employment and Social Services, strongly encourages Toronto residents and employers to participate in the many events going on during the week. "Workforce Development Week is a glimpse of what the City and its numerous employer and community partners work on all year round. This week demonstrates the City's commitment to employers and job seekers throughout Toronto's diverse communities."

More information about the Working as One: A Workforce Development Strategy for Toronto and the Workforce Development Week schedule of events is available at http://www.toronto.ca/workone