At the 2006 Ontario Economic Summit business, labour, academia and government thought-leaders agreed that in order for Ontario to remain competitive, the province must attract the right talent. As a result the GE@W program was created.

Objectives

1. To raise awareness among employers of the need to attract, recruit, hire and retain foreign trained professionals (FTPs) and skilled workers;
2. To leverage the OCC’s chamber network to design and implement local strategies and solutions (with local partners and stakeholders) that serve to better integrate FTPs into the workplace.

Phase 1 and 2

Phase 1: GE@W successfully completed an 18 month program. Local chambers of commerce/boards of trade worked diligently to create workshops, information seminars and tools that have positively affected Ontario’s FTPs.

Phase 2:Based on the results of the program, the OCC applied for subsequent funding to extend the program until 2012. The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario approved the request and has committed $2,475,000 to help the OCC continue to build on the success of GE@W.

To date, the OCC has committed approximately $1,000,000 to support 15 community projects led by local chambers of commerce and boards of trade throughout the province.

To continue to help Integrate FTPs into Ontario’s Workplace, the OCC invites all local chambers of commerce and boards of trade to consider applying for Phase 2: 2010 funding.

To learn more about this program please visit globalexperienceatwork.ca