News

Fleming College shines a light on disability employment in October

Peterborough ON – (October 14, 2021) – Fleming College, in partnership with its Service System Manager (SSM), will Light it Up! For National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) on October 21 at 7 p.m. Campus buildings and employment service offices will be lit bright in purple and blue to celebrate contributions that people who have a disability make to their workplaces.

Big cities, small towns and rural communities across Canada will shine bright in purple and blue on October 21 for the Ontario Disability Employment Network’s (ODEN) event, Light it Up! For NDEAM. Community businesses and organizations are invited to do the same to help raise awareness of disability-inclusive employment.

“Our participation in Light It Up! For NDEAM is important as we reinforce Fleming’s commitment as being a welcoming place for all and an important reminder that we must continue to effectively remove barriers to employment and education for people living with disabilities,” said Fleming President Maureen Adamson. “We encourage local businesses and organizations to join us. Together, we can demonstrate our joint commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive region to learn, work and live.”

In addition to Light It Up! For NDEAM with ODEN, Fleming’s SSM is hosting online employment workshops in October in partnership with Discover Ability Network, and presenting renowned keynote speaker Unstoppable Tracy, an award-winning four-way amputee, World Cup sailor, TEDx speaker, and an expert in disarming limiting beliefs. Event information and registration details can be found at flemingemploymenthub.ca. Space is limited.

For more information about Light It Up! For NDEAM, please email ssm@flemingcollege.ca.

Muskoka-Kawarthas SSM expands local employment service with a new team of virtual advisors

Peterborough ON – (May 10, 2021) – With a high demand for employment support in the Muskoka-Kawarthas region and the need for virtual service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Fleming College’s Muskoka-Kawarthas SSM has launched a new way for job seekers and employers to seek professional employment advice, online and on-demand.

The Muskoka-Kawarthas SSM has introduced a team of virtual employment advisors who offer guidance on job search, resume building, writing cover letters, interview techniques, exploring labour market information, and accessing funded training resources. The advisors will serve community members and employers in Haliburton County, City of Kawartha Lakes, District of Muskoka, Northumberland County, and City and County of Peterborough.

“We are excited to introduce our team of virtual employment advisors who are helping us increase the number of people we are able to serve, safely,” said Director of Workforce Development Shanthi Rajaratnam. “This online service creates an opportunity for us to respond immediately to individuals who have quick employment questions and make sure those who have higher support needs are connected to appropriate community resources. Our advisors are also ready to help employers post jobs locally and access resources to hire and train staff.”

To access a virtual employment advisor, visit the Muskoka-Kawarthas SSMs employment hub at www.flemingemploymenthub.ca and click on the chat or video conference icon on the right-hand  side of the web page. Employment advisors are online weekdays, evenings and weekends.

Fleming College launches new employment service for Muskoka-Kawarthas

Innovative employment service model focuses on collaboration, employability skills and job retention

Peterborough, ON (February 16, 2021) – A new employment service for Muskoka-Kawarthas takes a locally responsive approach to help employers find workers with the right skills, and job seekers find sustainable employment. As the Muskoka-Kawarthas Service System Manager (SSM), Fleming College has launched the Ontario Government’s prototype of streamlined employment services that will define the future of labour market support across the province.

“We are pleased that the Ontario Government chose Fleming College to lead its new SSM model, and stand ready to address current labour market needs and advance the future of employment services,” said Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. “Fleming’s expertise in delivering high quality skills training, paired with the experience of our local employment agencies, will result in solutions for job seekers including youth and older workers, Indigenous peoples and newcomers. We will also help employers find workers equipped with the right skills.”

As employment agencies continue to provide life-changing support to job seekers and employers, the new model streamlines 17 local employment service providers within Peterborough County, Haliburton County, City of Kawartha Lakes, District of Muskoka, and Northumberland County into one employment service team managed by Fleming College through its Muskoka-Kawartha SSM Office.

The Muskoka-Kawarthas SSM aims to help approximately 10,000 people per year find meaningful employment. To achieve this goal, the SSM’s network of Service Providers and Employment Success Facilitators will provide supports not previously available in the region including:

• job readiness training to ensure job seekers have the right employability skills,
• client support in their job search to secure meaningful work, and
• coaching for new workers throughout their first year of employment to encourage job retention.

A partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association will ensure increased mental health support to job seekers throughout the region. The Muskoka-Kawarthas SSM will also collaborate with local employers to understand increasing demands in the workplace, find solutions, and promote job creation.

The Muskoka-Kawarthas SSM office is located downtown in Peterborough Square. Services for job seekers and employers are available online at flemingemploymenthub.ca, including free access to job opportunities, skills training, and community resources.