History

1982

Five English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers recognize the need for integrated skills and language training and make a submission to Canada Employment and Immigration for funds to start a training program for Indochinese women

 

1983

Approval and funding is received from the federal government. Toronto Office Skills is incorporated as a non-profit registered charity, located at 299 Queen Street West (now the home of Citytv).

 

Beginning in May, the full time, 45 week On-The-Job Training (OJT) program provides the first group of four Indochinese women with training in office, computer and bookkeeping skills. All graduates find employment.

 

1984

Access Data Services (ADS) is started as a subsidiary bookkeeping and accounting business. ADS provides service to community agencies and workplace training for program participants. Six computers and two dot matrix printers are used for hands-on training.

 

A partnership is developed with the Toronto Board of Education’s ESL Continuing Education Department to provide program trainers.

 

1985

IBM provides a grant which funds the purchase of seven typewriters.

 

The organization moves to 511 King Street West.

 

1986

The first edition of the Print Out newsletter is published to provide information to program graduates and the community.

 

1987

The demand for services increases rapidly. The Board of Directors commissions a research study to examine possibilities of expanding target group and services.

 

1988

The Board of Directors approves a motion to serve women based on their language and skills training needs rather than ethnicity. This opens the programs to women from Sri Lanka, Korea, China and Somalia.

The Boards approves a new mission statement and officially changes the organization name to SKILLS FOR CHANGE.

 

At the annual Board retreat, a Multiculturalism Task Force is struck to examine broadening the programs to serve Toronto’s diverse communities.

 

1989

Skills for Change moves to 791 St. Clair Avenue West, a location better suited for the expanding programs, clients and staff.

 

The first Part-time skills and language training programs begin for women and men. Two hundred newcomers receive training in the first year.

 

A United Way funded pilot project focusing on language, life and job search skills is offered for refugee claimants. In 1991 this program becomes Skills for Change’s CareerStart Program.

1990

Information, Assessment, Settlement and Referral Services become a formalized process to address the needs of more than 1,850 newcomers.

 

A Job Development Department is created to provide career counseling and marketing support to job-ready immigrants and refugees.

 

The Part-time Program increases capacity to provide over 610 training seats.

 

Immigrant women from all countries of origin now find their way into the programs.

In partnership with the Catholic Immigration Bureau, pilot satellite services are provided in Scarborough for convention refugees.

 

1991

The CareerStart Program enrolls 193 newcomers including 77 refugee claimants. Over 75 per cent of participants find work placements, suitable employment or undertake professional upgrading in their field.

 

The continuing recession results in permanent job losses in many sectors employing newcomers.

 

1992

The agency begins providing Cultural Interpreter (CI) Services for newcomers accessing government services. Skills For Change selects, trains and schedules CIs under this Ministry of Citizenship program.

 

A redesigned Intake, Referral and Settlement Unit provides service to 3,936 newcomers.

 

The 48 participants in the OJT (On-The-Job) Program have a 70 percent employment success rate.

 

The Employment Outreach Program builds up an active employer bank of 300 companies and organizations who provide work placement opportunities, information and support to the organization and our clients.

 

1993

Skills for Change begins offering Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes. The program includes: settlement information, an introduction to computers and has an available childminding service.

 

A computer training program is developed out of the CareerStart Program for men and women with accounting backgrounds.

 

A pilot Mentorship Program for Foreign-trained Engineers pairs newcomers with established engineers. This program includes training in cross-cultural communication, workplace issues, and job search techniques. A success rate of 78 percent is achieved.

 

The first New Pioneers Awards Night is held to recognize outstanding immigrants and refugees who have achieved success in their field and have made contributions in the community. Over 300 people attend the gala awards night.

 

Skills for Change becomes a broker in the provincially funded jobsOntario Program.

 

Skills for Change applies to and is accepted as a United Way of Greater Toronto member agency.

 

1994

A new Customer Service Program is offered in partnership with Scott’s Hospitality Foundation. Annually this program provides training to 45 newcomers interested in working in the retail and hospitality sectors.

 

The Apprenticeship Program begins providing support for those interested in pursuing a career in the trades and enabling foreign-trained trades people to access licensing in their trade in Canada.

 

Monthly labour market information workshops begin for foreign-trained engineers offering quick and accurate information to those needing licensing and employment support.

 

A joint technical and job search training program is developed and offered to a pilot group of foreign-trained engineers in connection with Digital Equipment’s Learning Services.

 

Skills for Change’s work with foreign-trained engineers leads to the organization taking a leadership role in the development of the Coalition to Access for Professional Engineers (CAPE). This group is comprised of ethnic and community agencies who are working to remove barriers to licensing access for foreign- trained engineers.

 

1995

Strategic Planning is undertaken to evaluate how well the organization is meeting the needs of Toronto’s newcomer communities. This planning leads to Skills For Change purchasing the building that houses its programs at 791 St. Clair Avenue West with the support of a jobsOntario Community Action Project. A capital campaign is launched and building renovations begin.

 

A total of 1,500 training seats are available to newcomers in the Part-time Program in the evening and on Saturdays. In the spring 70 clients graduate after receiving training in five or more courses.

 

A first ever project for newcomer youth is offered to young people interested in Apprenticeship.

 

The Engineering Internship Program is offered through the jobLink Ontario Innovations Fund to provide individualized training and mentorship support to 20 foreign-trained engineers. A success rate of 75 percent is achieved.

 

1996

Building renovations and equipment upgrades are completed.

 

In the face of new federal government policies in training and employment the agency adopts a new modular approach to services and training.

 

New 16 week clerical and accounting programs are offered for immigrant women.

The CareerStart Program concludes and is replaced with specific training initiatives for foreign-trained professionals.

 

The Access Project is launched with support from the Trillium Foundation and Levi Strauss & Co. (Canada) Inc. This province-wide project will develop a coalition to address systemic barriers faced by foreign-trained tradespeople and professionals.

 

Skills for Change updates it's logo and organizational identity.

 

The fourth annual New Pioneers Awards Night recognizes seven outstanding newcomers in the categories of Arts, Community Service, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Science & Technology, Youth and A Skills for Change Program Graduate.

 

Skills for Change’s renovated home is called "The Elaine Ghazouli Centre for New Canadians", in memory of the mother of Lead Donors Sam and Evelin Ghazouli.




Skills for Change unveiled its new logo at an Open House on November 5, 1996. At the ceremony, designer Keith Rushton outlined the following reasons behind the new logo design:


The circle reflects the global nature
of the Skills for Change clientele.

The circle or arc of the circle is a
friendly,warm and inviting form.

The half circle represents
the new horizon for immigrants and refugees

The colour royal blue has both a
red and blue quality, it is a warm blue.
Internationally and culturally, blue is a colour
with few negative connotations.

The "S" in the logo represents
the "S" in Skills for Change and
a pathway into the future.

 

Last updated 03/22/2010