First Work

Yesterday, The Career Foundation joined partners from across the province at Queen’s Park for Advocacy Day, hosted by First Work. As part of Ontario’s Workforce Development Network — representing more than 115 employment and employer service providers — we met with MPPs and ministers to share one clear, collective message: strong workforce systems matter. With a united voice, our conversations focused on practical solutions that strengthen results for Ontarians: stabilizing funding to move beyond short‑term cycles, reducing red tape so frontline teams can focus on people rather than administration, and leveraging community‑level expertise to respond quickly to labour market needs. These are proven ways to increase impact, efficiency, and value from existing investments. We also had the opportunity to meet with MPPs from the constituencies where The Career Foundation operates, grounding system‑level priorities in local impact. These discussions highlighted how employment services help people facing barriers to employment build stability — improving outcomes not only in work, but across income support, health, and community well‑being. Thank you to the government representatives and partners who took the time to connect with us: Stephanie Smyth, MPP for Toronto–St. Paul’s; Stephanie Bowman, MPP for Don Valley West; Mohamed Firin, MPP for York South–Weston and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills / Travail, Immigration, Formation et Compétences; Sheref Sabawy, MPP for Mississauga–Erin Mills and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills / Travail, Immigration, Formation et Compétences; Michelle Cooper, MPP for Eglinton–Lawrence and Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Finance | Ontario Finances, Akosua A., Executive Director (First Work), Lance Barrett, Director, Workforce Development (The Career Foundation), Kristy Sansom, Director, Stakeholder Relations, Resource Development & Growth (The Career Foundation), Shauna McKenzie-Onita, Manager, Economic and Workforce Development Strategies (The Career Foundation)   #WorkforceDevelopment #AdvocacyDay #Ontario #CollectiveVoice #CommunityImpact #EmploymentServices

We were at Queen’s Park yesterday alongside Ontario’s workforce development network, led by First Work, to engage with members of government on the importance of investing in frontline workforce capacity, reducing administrative burden, and strengthening sustainable funding so our organizations can continue supporting communities across Ontario. Our SVP of Marketing and Public Affairs, Julia Rim Shepard, MCM, APR, CMP, and our SVP of Services and Strategic Initiatives, Manjeet Dhiman, joined fellow workforce development leaders for a morning reception and key meetings with members of government, where the value and impact of employment services were strongly reinforced. At a time when workforce disruption continues to impact all sectors, collaboration between government, employers, and employment service providers remains essential. We are committed to working together to develop practical solutions that respond to Ontario’s evolving labour market needs. Thank you to the members of government and Parliamentary Assistants from key ministries who took the time to engage: ✔️ Stephanie Bowman, MPP for Don Valley West ✔️ Michelle Cooper, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Ontario Finance | Ontario Finances and MPP for Eglinton-Lawrence ✔️ Mohamed Firin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills / Travail, Immigration, Formation et Compétences and MPP for York South-Weston Learn more about our programs and services at: www.accesemployment.ca Akosua A., Executive Director (First Work), Gabriel Busca, Public Affairs Specialist (First Work), Kristy Sansom, Director, Stakeholder Relations, Resource Development & Growth (The Career Foundation), Stephanie Smyth (MPP for Toronto- St Paul’s), Sheref Sabawy, (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills / Travail, Immigration, Formation et Compétences and MPP of Mississauga-Erin Mills), Brenda Roxburgh, Executive Director (VCCS Employment Services), Lorna Hunda, Executive Director (Youth Employment Services YES (Thunder Bay), Carolyn Warkentin CAE, Executive Director (South-Essex Community Council), Rory Stouffer, Program Coordinator (Lake Of The Woods Employment Action Project Inc (LEAP), Ikram Abdi, Event and Training Lead (First Work). #WorkforceDevelopment #ONpoli #EmploymentServices #FutureofWork #SkillsDevelopment #EconomicDevelopment

Grateful to be part of Amplify 2026 alongside a community of leaders who care deeply about people, opportunity, and the systems that connect the two. Days like today remind us that workforce development is built through collaboration - across communities, organizations, and perspectives - and that meaningful change happens when we learn from one another. Proud to show up, listen, and contribute to conversations that strengthen pathways to employment and participation for all. Thank you to the organizers at First Work for bringing the community together for this important conversation. #Amplify26 #WorkforceCommunity #EconomicInclusion #WCGServices Adam Collison, Deborah Childs MSW, Shanthi Rajaratnam, Jennifer Adams (Sturgess), Nathalee Leblanc, Salima Tejani, Migdalia Jones, BBA, CCDP®

What does it take to build a stronger workforce system, together? That question was front and centre at Amplify 2026, hosted by First Work, and we were glad to be part of the conversation! The event created space for honest dialogue, learning, and collaboration across Ontario’s workforce and employment services system. From policy to practice, speakers and participants explored how we collectively strengthen pathways for jobseekers, support the organizations delivering services on the ground, and respond to evolving labour market needs. Our team left encouraged by the ideas shared and the shared responsibility felt across the room - proof that meaningful progress happens when we approach this work as system stewards, not in silos. Thank you to First Work and to all the sector leaders, practitioners, educators, and partners who contributed their insights. We’re proud to be part of a system committed to inclusion, collaboration, and long-term impact. #Amplify2026 #SystemStewardship #EmploymentServices #WorkforceDevelopment #EconomicInclusion #OntarioJobs #EmployNext #CanadaWorks

Local jobs for youth mean so much to every community across Ontario. Today, with Erin Kelly, I had the opportunity to speak at the First Work #Amplify Conference about something we care deeply about at the Ontario Public School Boards' Association: the power of partnership between local school boards and local workforce development agencies and services. If we’re serious about helping young people build meaningful futures, we need to work together to build strong pathways from classroom to career. When school boards and workforce partners align, students and their home communities win. Together, we can: • Open doors to local job opportunities • Help students see themselves in careers earlier • Build skills that match the evolving needs of employers • Strengthen local economies while keeping talent close to home. This work isn’t just about employment—it’s about belonging, purpose, and possibility. Grateful to be part of a conversation that is focused not just on what’s next—but on what’s possible together. Thanks for the opportunity Akosua A.! #WorkforceDevelopment #publicEducation #FutureOfWork #CareerPathways

An amazing day - thank you First Work for assisting Ontario’s Employment Services Network to make these important connections.