PTP Impact Report 2020
The Pivot
Rising to the Challenge
“A pivot is a change in strategy without a change in vision”
— Eric Ries
COVID-19 has shone a powerful light on inequality in Canada, laying bare deep social and economic disparities.
Good, safe, sustained work is more important now than ever, underscoring the critical nature of PTP’s efforts to create positive pathways to meaningful employment.
It’s a testament to our team that when the pandemic took hold and our in-person locations had to close, the learning did not stop. The ongoing digital expansion of our education, training and employment services – launched before lockdowns even began – allowed us to pivot quickly and seamlessly to the new online reality.
And there were other notable wins during a year marked by so much loss. Staff and clients alike embraced challenging new technology. Key partnerships expanded. Our Decent Work Charter was completed and our business model optimized to ensure a more resilient PTP.
We also began an overdue process of listening to our BIPOC clients and communities around systemic racism. While equity has always been at the core of our mission, we are committed to doing more to understand the lives of those who face unjust barriers to a better life.
Our national efforts – especially key work-readiness training initiatives in support of Indigenous groups – can play an important role in that effort. These projects continued throughout COVID-19, and we’re looking forward to leveraging technology to deepen their impact in the months and years to come.
It’s the future we’re most excited about now. As the pandemic recedes across Canada, we are looking ahead with an eye to how we can do even more to support our clients by making our services more accessible, more convenient and more relevant to the changing times.
As always, thank you for helping us rise to every challenge.
Warmest regards,
360° services
Our experienced educators and employment services team continued to offer clients comprehensive and customized supports in the face of COVID-19.
Job Developers
Through strong partnerships with employers, PTP’s Job Developers open up new and rewarding opportunities for clients. They work directly with candidates to prepare them for interviews, and then offer support and mentorship during the first few weeks on the job.
Elevate
When the pandemic hit, Canadians quickly realized the critical importance of the food industry. Our Elevate program – which prepares clients for rewarding jobs in food manufacturing – and the skilled team that runs it were well-positioned to help the industry stay staffed in uncertain times.
Employment Counsellors
A client’s very first discussion with one of our skilled Employment Counsellors can be the beginning of a whole new life. Employment Counsellors dig deep to find out where each client is, where they want to go and what they need to get there.
Essential Skills
From pre-employment preparation to upgrading a client’s reading, writing, math, document use and computer skills, essential and employability skills development underpins everything we do. PTP’s adult educators create pathways to support all participants in achieving their education, training and employment goals.
No one left behind
Staying apart may have been one way to help defeat COVID-19 but it was a hardship for those PTP clients already experiencing isolation and barriers to safe, stable employment. Maintaining connections and ensuring learning journeys stayed on track quickly became the main focus for PTP staff. Their extraordinary efforts over the last year made sure no client was left behind.
Outreach
As soon as the first lockdown went into effect, staff contacted every client, checking in to identify their needs, whether it was help with technology or childcare or putting a nutritious meal on the table. In the days that followed, we delivered everything from laptops and Staples gift cards to 254 FoodShare food boxes to make sure clients had what they needed to stay safe and keep learning.
Leveraging Tech
Technology has long been the backbone of our work but when lockdowns closed our in-person sites, staff members immediately adopted new ways to deliver services virtually. The switch has been so successful, we’re certain that these tools will play an important role in the days ahead.
Let’s Connect
COVID-19’s mental health impacts were harder to see but no less potent, so we designed and implemented a new program, funded by the city of Toronto, to provide one-on-one counselling and other supports to any client who is struggling. Let’s Connect has been a lifeline for many over the last 18 months.
Pandemic Job Prep
Our regular job-preparation efforts took on a new level of urgency during COVID-19 as we readied clients for what was often front-line work. Staff recognized the risk some clients would be taking and went above and beyond to ensure they were well-trained and feeling confident.
“I’m more motivated than ever!”
Fareeha wasn’t sure PTP was for her. Then she saw how much our staff members care.
Good jobs for today and tomorrow
Now more than ever, truly meaningful work is work that lasts. That’s why PTP’s efforts have always been about more than just finding our clients a job. They’re about building people up – through education, training and support – so they’re ready to be successful for the long term.
We create a customized program for every client, ensuring that their unique needs are met every step of the way. It’s an approach that continues to pay dividends in improved lives and livelihoods for those we serve.
Technology that helps clients get ahead
In the early days of the pandemic, adopting new technology was a must. Over the months that followed, we realized that these powerful tools could be key to our future efforts, driving both success for clients and greater access to our programs.
Collaboration. Accountability. Time management. The ESAT – a Futureworx tool – helps our clients build these essential job skills and more.
Pinpoints strengths and skill gaps
Supports self and staff assessments
Enhances communication
Provides motivating progress reports
Develops social and emotional skills
Collaboration. Accountability. Time management. The ESAT – a Futureworx tool – helps our clients build these essential job skills and more.
Pinpoints strengths and skill gaps
Supports self and staff assessments
Enhances communication
Provides motivating progress reports
Develops social and emotional skills
Innovation in action
We asked Kamran Ahmadpour, our IT administrator and instructor, to detail PTP’s digital literacy journey.
National outreach
We may be based in Toronto, but our across-Canada efforts are expanding by the day. Here’s a look at some of the new projects we undertook over the past year, which highlights our work in British Columbia and Manitoba with Indigenous partners.
British Columbia
New Opportunities
Pathway to Work continued talks with Tseshaht First Nation and began a partnership with Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose) First Nation.
Manitoba
Workforce Readiness
Our Pathway to Work team partnered with Swampy Cree Tribal Council in Grand Rapids to help community members build job-ready skills and a brighter future. More than half of the participants completed the program and went on to safety training and work placements.
Anytime Learning
Working in support of the Pine Creek First Nation, Manitoba Building Trades, and First Peoples Development Inc., our Pathway to Work team developed a pandemic-proof work readiness course that can be implemented whenever in-person learning is disrupted.
Planning for the Future
In March 2021, we began discussions with the Dakota Tipi First Nation to explore how our Pathways to Work team could support their efforts to ready community members for meaningful work.
Ontario
New Partnership
We joined forces with Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association, providing assessment support for learners at program intake and completion.
Custom Training
PTP collaborated with East Scarborough Storefront to create and implement customized job-training services for local residents.
Online Workshops
We supported East Scarborough Storefront’s effort to foster economic vitality and resilience in the Kingston Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood with online workshops designed to boost digital literacy, improve access to education for newcomers and help job seekers achieve their goals.
Enabling E-Learning
In partnership with Seven Generations Education Institute, the Indigenous led educational organization based in Fort Frances, we worked to digitize the workwrite curriculum and Signposts.
Strengthening Skills for Success
With funding from Employment and Social Development Canada, we worked to align CAMERA content and scoring criteria to the government’s Skills for Success framework. Adjusting CAMERA’s instruments and introducing a new online assessment will help strengthen Skills for Success and facilitate its rollout.
Digital Assessments
COVID-19 highlighted the need for a digitized version of CAMERA, so we began the foundational work to create this potent new tool.
Nova Scotia
Upgrading CAMERA (Communication and Math Employment Readiness Assessment)
We finalized the CAMERA 2021 renewal project. The latest version of our proven system for assessing and developing critical workplace skills was piloted in February, with plans for a nationwide launch this fall.
Assessor Training
As part of our longstanding relationship with the government of Nova Scotia, we led a cohort of literacy program coordinators and facilitators through the first-ever Zoom Assessor training for CAMERA 2021.
Financials
PTP’s mixed revenue model – which includes restricted grant funding, pay-for-performance funding and fee-for-service options – gives us the flexibility to support a broad range of exceptional program and service initiatives. In a year with so many uncertainties, we’re proud to say we exceeded budget performance in 2020 and are well positioned to make 2021 one of PTP’s most successful yet.
The Road Ahead
Even in the midst of unprecedented change, we have been planning for the path forward – building towards a better PTP, one that’s future-ready and focused on the needs of our clients.
To get there, we have committed to three strategic areas of focus:
1
Innovation
Over the past year we’ve not only adopted new technologies – Zoom and Google Classroom are here to stay – but the plan ahead is to further develop tools of our own, including updating and digitizing CAMERA. The modernization of all our efforts will no doubt continue into 2022.
2
Digitization
Our new digital roadmap is a first step in an ongoing transformation, a blueprint for action that will help align future digital initiatives with both short- and long-term business objectives. We have already begun making these digital initiatives accessible not only to Ontario but to Indigenous communities across Canada.
3
Resilience
COVID-19 challenged us in ways we couldn’t have imagined just two years ago, but with sound governance from our Board, a solid financial foundation and a commitment to managing risk, we believe we are well positioned to withstand the organizational shocks to come.
1
Innovation
Over the past year we’ve not only adopted new technologies – Zoom and Google Classroom are here to stay – but the plan ahead is to further develop tools of our own, including updating and digitizing CAMERA. The modernization of all our efforts will no doubt continue into 2022.
2
Digitization
Our new digital roadmap is a first step in an ongoing transformation, a blueprint for action that will help align future digital initiatives with both short- and long-term business objectives. We have already begun making these digital initiatives accessible not only to Ontario but to Indigenous communities across Canada.
3
Resilience
COVID-19 challenged us in ways we couldn’t have imagined just two years ago, but with sound governance from our Board, a solid financial foundation and a commitment to managing risk, we believe we are well positioned to withstand the organizational shocks to come.
Fareeha’s bright future
From getting help to helping others
When COVID-19 hit, I never felt more demotivated in my life! My Ontario Works case worker referred me to PTP’s online CHOICES program, but I was uncertain about joining – what if the classes were too difficult or the teacher unhelpful? I was so anxious!
The day before my first class all that changed. Andrew, the program manager, delivered my class materials straight to my front door. That’s when I realized that if PTP would make such an effort to ensure I’m ready for this new journey, the least I can do is give my best effort. I was now more motivated than ever!
The atmosphere at PTP was fun and relaxing. My program instructor, Cheryl, was supportive and made learning manageable by teaching at a good pace and ensuring we were not overwhelmed.
With the amazing support I received from my classmates and staff at PTP, I completed the program with flying colours and applied for a part-time administrator position at PTP. I can happily say I landed a dream job and now support people like myself – newcomers, women and people who face barriers in finding meaningful employment, training or education.
No matter what happens in the future, one thing is certain: I will continue to provide support and motivation to those who need it, just as Andrew and Cheryl did for me!
Innovation in action
We asked Kamran Ahmadpour, our IT administrator and instructor, to detail PTP’s digital literacy journey.
Supporting learners any way we can
Success looked a little different for everyone in 2020. Kamran Ahmadour shares his take on learning during an unprecedented time.
What challenges did PTP learners face at the beginning of the pandemic?
Many had inadequate digital devices – most were using smartphones instead of laptops. Some learners couldn’t use their web cameras because they were in a shelter, so they lost out on some of the connection that comes with being able to see their peers. Some also experienced parenting challenges, like being interrupted during class times.
Can you share some positive effects digital learning had on learners?
One surprising success was that virtual classrooms allowed teachers to identify signs of depression, anxiety and other COVID-19 challenges among some vulnerable learners. Teachers were then able to keep them engaged and help lessen the severity. The schedule of online classes provided structure for students, keeping them connected to other people. We were even able to close the technology gap for some by loaning out and donating Chromebooks.
How important was technology to PTP’s success over the past year?
Tools like Zoom and Moodle were critical but just having access to technology doesn’t mean we are all set. The key is to use it effectively to enhance teaching and improve students’ learning processes and outcomes. We focused on learner engagement and empowering them to be active participants in every class.
