The Metcalf Foundation, in partnership with the Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunities Program and with support from the Counselling Foundation of Canada, is pleased to announce the selection of twenty-four participants for the 2018 Toronto Sector Skills Academy.
The following individuals have been granted acceptance into this year’s program:
- Adam Melnick, Business Agent, Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 95
- Andrew Reddin, Senior Director, NPower Canada
- Annu Sood, Manager of Community and Labour Market, Toronto Employment and Social Services
- Bronwyn Oatley, Manager, Toronto Enterprise Fund, United Way Toronto and York Region
- Carolyn Saenz-Esterhuyse: Manager of Local Economic Opportunities, East Scarborough Storefront
- Fawzia Ratanshi, Senior Program Design and Development Analyst, Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development
- George Okurapa, Manager of Community and Labour Market, Toronto Employment and Social Services
- Georgina Elliott, Manager of Community and Labour Market, Toronto Employment and Social Services
- Gladys Okine, Executive Director, First Work
- Glory Ressler, Director of Education, Training and Data, Canadian Mothercraft Society
- Heather Marshall, Campaigns Director, Toronto Environmental Alliance
- Jacqueline Cureton: Director of Program Delivery Support Branch, Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development
- Jeanie Son, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Yonge Street Mission
- Jodi O’Gorman, Vice President of Public Partnerships, VPI Working Solutions
- Ken Tang: Project and Data Manager, Hospitality Workers’ Training Centre
- Kim Marshall, Director of Projects and Strategic Initiatives, Ontario Tourism Education Corporation
- Kim Patel, Director of Employment Services, St. Stephen’s Community House
- Kris Erickson, Research Associate, Ontario Centre for Workforce Innovation
- Marc Soberan, Executive Director, Building Up
- Paula Calderon, Director of Services, Peel Region, ACCES Employment
- Qazi Hasan, Manager of Workforce Development, WoodGreen Community Services
- Richard Derham, Executive Lead of Opportunities for All Youth, MaRS Discovery District
- Shalini da Cunha, Executive Director, Peel-Halton Workforce Development Group
- Stefany Hanson, Manager of Youth Development, SDFA City of Toronto
We would like to thank members of the TSSA Advisory Committee for their assistance in the recruitment and selection process and who will continue to provide strategic advice over the duration of the program.
Through an intensive ten-month program led by Canadian and international guest faculty, TSSA participants engage in experiential learning with practical applications, explore case studies, and acquire new skills that allowed them to analyze, catalyze, and implement cutting-edge workforce employment strategies geared towards the evolving needs of today’s rapidly changing economy and job market. Working together, the group collaborates on developing practical solutions to address our region’s challenging workforce issues.
The 2018 TSSA cohort recently completed their first three-day retreat and over the next year, will participate in two additional retreats and three workshops. This is the second cohort of the TSSA.
The TSSA is anchored in Aspen Institute’s sector skills development model and is the first academy of its kind in Canada. Upon completion, participants become Aspen Economic Opportunity Fellows, joining an international network.
For more information on the program, please visit Inclusive Local Economies.
