Sector-focused workforce development is a promising practice to improve employment opportunities for low-income workers while supporting business competitiveness. Sector strategies are focused on two outcomes. One is helping workers move into better jobs by removing barriers and skills gaps, or building ladders. The second is improving the quality of low-wage jobs, or raising the floor.

To address the growing interest and need for sector-focused workforce development in Toronto, the Metcalf Foundation established the Toronto Sector Skills Academy in partnership with the Aspen Institute. The goal is to build the capacity of leaders to grow, strengthen, and sustain sector strategies within the city. This leadership program is the first of its kind in Canada.

The highly regarded Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program created this leadership development model in 2005. Participants in the Toronto Sector Skills Academy become Aspen Sector Skills Academy Fellows and work with peers from a variety of organizations, learn from experts in the field, strengthen partnerships, engage in experiential learning with practical applications, and acquire new skills to explore, catalyze, and enable sectoral workforce strategies. Fellows attend three retreats and three workshops over a 10-month period.

The Toronto Sector Skills Academy brings together leaders from community-based organizations, colleges, workforce development organizations, government agencies, labour, labour management groups, employer associations, and worker centres.

Applicants must:

• be leading existing sector initiatives or leading industry programs that are seeking to develop sector strategies;
• hold positions of leadership and decision-making authority regarding sector-focused strategies;
• be based and active within the Toronto region;
• submit a letter of support from their supervisor approving their participation in the Academy; and
• commit to full participation over these set dates:

• Three 3-day retreats:
  • Retreat 1 – April 10 – 13, 2018
  • Retreat 2 – June 4 – 6, 2018
  • Retreat 3 – November 14 – 16, 2018

• Three events/workshops held in Toronto (dates to be confirmed):
  • Welcome Reception – March 2018
  • Fall Toronto Workshop (2 days) – September 2018
  • Closing Presentation and Graduation Reception – December 2018

The selection process will be based on demonstration of leadership competencies; commitment to improving job opportunities for low-income people; ability and desire to design, implement and strengthen sector-focused workforce development initiatives; and interest in learning about sector strategies to advance systems change.

Inclusivity and diversity of race, ethnicity, and gender are core values of the Toronto Sector Skills Academy. Members from equity seeking groups are encouraged to apply.

The deadline for the 2020 Toronto Sector Skills Academy will be announced in spring 2020.

A Word version of the Application Form can be found here.

A webinar on applying to the 2018 Toronto Sector Skills Academy was held on January 16, 2018. Click here to view a recording of the webinar. Presentation slides can also be accessed separately here.