Workforce Development in Health Care in Eastern Ontario

In the chaos of the pandemic's peak, John secured a substantial provincial grant to address the urgent workforce development needs of Eastern Ontario's health services sector. The ambitious project aimed to train 1200 individuals, forge a consortium of five colleges, partner with 100 employers, and create enduring training content.

The clock was ticking; we had less than 30 days to launch. Amidst the challenges of meeting funding outcomes and navigating pandemic-era workplaces, my immediate tasks were daunting: establish an organizational structure, develop job descriptions, hire or reassign staff, secure agreements with consortium members, create and implement budgets, and generate internal and external awareness.

To manage this effectively, I devised a three-team structure. The first team would oversee the consortium, managing relationships, documentation, reporting, finances, CRM implementation, and industry liaison. The second, our college's internal team, would work directly with local employers to identify needs and deliver training and support. The third, a consortium-wide curriculum team, would collaborate on creating and revising content accessible to all partners.

Despite the tight timeframe and immense challenges, the 18-month project exceeded expectations. We trained 2400 participants, developed 26 new training programs, allocated over $800,000 for capital equipment, and engaged 175 employers, leaving a lasting impact on the healthcare workforce in Eastern Ontario.

Thanks to co-leads Rose Gavin and Glenna Schaillee, and consortium partners.