Collège Boréal in Sudbury will serve as a new regional centre for employment services in northeastern Ontario.
On Oct. 23, the college announced it had been named by the province as a Service System Manager (SSM), one of 15 centres situated around the province that are aimed at helping people find work.
The goal is to streamline existing employment services to be more efficient and better fill the needs of job seekers, businesses, and local communities.
In a news release, the college said it had been selected by the province following a “rigorous bidding process,” as required by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
“This appointment as employment Service System Manager for northeastern Ontario reflects the strong organizational foundation that Collège Boréal has built over many years in the employability sector,” college president Daniel Giroux said in the release.
“It validates our institution’s solid expertise in workforce development and employment services. Winning this bid results from a shared commitment with our partners to create a lasting vitality that will help our region reach its full potential.”
As part of its work, the college is spearheading a consortium that includes the District Social Services Administration Boards in northeastern Ontario, the City of Greater Sudbury, four Northeastern colleges (Sault College, Northern College, Cambrian College, Canadore College), and Miikana, an agency focused on Indigenous strategic development.
The DSSAB members of the Consortium include those from the districts of Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma, Manitoulin-Sudbury, Parry Sound, Nipissing, Timiskaming, and Cochrane.
“Through this innovative, collaborative approach, Collège Boréal aims to enhance the region’s responsiveness to local labour market demands, ultimately delivering impactful outcomes for job seekers, employers, and communities,” the college said.
The integration of employment services in northeastern Ontario is set to be completed by 2025.
The province has also identified a Service System Manager for northwestern Ontario. That job will go to the Toronto-headquartered organization Serco Canada.
