June 22, 2021
GROW Program continues for 2021-2022
Landscape Ontario’s GROW Program announced the renewal of funding for the New Entrant, Incumbent Worker and Employers of Choice training programs launched in 2020.
“GROW’s success is due in large part to the incredible support of professionals throughout the landscape and horticultural sector,” said GROW Workforce Development Program Manager Amanda Laszcz. “We are excited to continue our work to expand, enhance and promote the industry’s workforce and employers.”
LO’s GROW Program seeks to develop, advance and promote Ontario’s landscape and horticultural profession by providing specialized training to the sector’s workers and firms. GROW training programs support new workers looking to launch green careers, current professionals seeking to expand their skills, and employers striving to enhance their ability to attract and retain talented staff.
The GROW Program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. GROW provides training at no cost to eligible participants within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area and the Kawartha/Muskoka region.
GROW Program goals:
The New Entrant Training Program program prepares eligible participants for entry-level positions in the landscape and horticultural sector. The six-week training program includes four weeks of skills training followed by a paid two-week workplace trial intended to lead to ongoing employment.
The program welcomed their first training group on June 7 and will add a new cohort of participants regularly until October.
Employers in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area can apply now to to be part of the GROW: New Entrant Worker Job Bank.
Eligible Job Bank employers receive:
Later this year, employers in the Muskoka/Kawartha Region will also be eligible to apply to the Job Bank.
All training is provided free of charge. Candidates must be nominated by their employers before the close of nomination this August.
Eligible employers may nominate up to two candidates with the potential for advancement within their organization. Each successful candidate receives an Individual Training Plan, developed in coordination with their employer. Plans include a budget for supplemental training and certifications. All candidates also receive the GROW: Foundational Supervisory Skills Training and Advanced Workplace Health & Safety Compliance Training.
For more information on the program including eligibility requirements please visit growoutdoors.ca/IWTP.
The Employers of Choice Program enhances the ability of sector employers to attract, recruit and retain a dedicated team of exceptional staff. Training is delivered online. Eligible employers spend an average of two hours per week attending virtual instruction sessions and receiving one-on-one coaching and learning support.
This year, Employers of Choice is launching a new forum, open to employers who have graduated from the program. This confidential forum allows employers and managers to trade best practices and seek advice from one-another as well as from GROW Program Instructors.
For more information on this program or to apply on behalf of your company please visit: growoutdoors.ca/EOC.
“Thanks to SkillsAdvance Ontario funding, Landscape Ontario is pleased to have this opportunity to develop a program that takes a unique approach in terms of training new workers, upskilling current workers and helping employers to improve human resource practices,” said Sally Harvey, Landscape Ontario’s Director of Education & Workforce Development. The program is intended to develop a workforce of choice, who are employed by Employers of Choice, so that we can continue to grow as a sector and meet consumer demand.”
To learn more about the GROW training programs, please visit the GROW Program website at growoutdoors.ca.
“GROW’s success is due in large part to the incredible support of professionals throughout the landscape and horticultural sector,” said GROW Workforce Development Program Manager Amanda Laszcz. “We are excited to continue our work to expand, enhance and promote the industry’s workforce and employers.”
LO’s GROW Program seeks to develop, advance and promote Ontario’s landscape and horticultural profession by providing specialized training to the sector’s workers and firms. GROW training programs support new workers looking to launch green careers, current professionals seeking to expand their skills, and employers striving to enhance their ability to attract and retain talented staff.
The GROW Program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. GROW provides training at no cost to eligible participants within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area and the Kawartha/Muskoka region.
GROW Program goals:
- Develop the sector’s workforce by attracting and training entry-level workers and enhancing the skills of current professionals;
- Advance the ability of sector employers to attract, recruit and retain a dedicated team of exceptional staff;
- Promote the broad range of opportunities offered by Ontario’s landscape and horticultural sector.
New Entrant Training Program
The GROW Program is working to expand the landscape and horticulture workforce by training new entrant workers and promoting entry-level opportunities with employers.The New Entrant Training Program program prepares eligible participants for entry-level positions in the landscape and horticultural sector. The six-week training program includes four weeks of skills training followed by a paid two-week workplace trial intended to lead to ongoing employment.
The program welcomed their first training group on June 7 and will add a new cohort of participants regularly until October.
Employers in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area can apply now to to be part of the GROW: New Entrant Worker Job Bank.
Eligible Job Bank employers receive:
- Exclusive access to program graduates seeking entry-level positions.
- Free company profile page.
- Unlimited entry-level job postings.
Later this year, employers in the Muskoka/Kawartha Region will also be eligible to apply to the Job Bank.
Incumbent Worker Training Program
Nominations are now open for the GROW: Incumbent Worker Training Program. The program helps employers strengthen the contributions of their existing workforce by helping their candidates reach their full potential within the organization.All training is provided free of charge. Candidates must be nominated by their employers before the close of nomination this August.
Eligible employers may nominate up to two candidates with the potential for advancement within their organization. Each successful candidate receives an Individual Training Plan, developed in coordination with their employer. Plans include a budget for supplemental training and certifications. All candidates also receive the GROW: Foundational Supervisory Skills Training and Advanced Workplace Health & Safety Compliance Training.
For more information on the program including eligibility requirements please visit growoutdoors.ca/IWTP.
Employers of Choice
The GROW Program is committed to helping all sector employers expand their organizations and establish professional connections to foster a spirit of continuous improvement.The Employers of Choice Program enhances the ability of sector employers to attract, recruit and retain a dedicated team of exceptional staff. Training is delivered online. Eligible employers spend an average of two hours per week attending virtual instruction sessions and receiving one-on-one coaching and learning support.
This year, Employers of Choice is launching a new forum, open to employers who have graduated from the program. This confidential forum allows employers and managers to trade best practices and seek advice from one-another as well as from GROW Program Instructors.
For more information on this program or to apply on behalf of your company please visit: growoutdoors.ca/EOC.
“Thanks to SkillsAdvance Ontario funding, Landscape Ontario is pleased to have this opportunity to develop a program that takes a unique approach in terms of training new workers, upskilling current workers and helping employers to improve human resource practices,” said Sally Harvey, Landscape Ontario’s Director of Education & Workforce Development. The program is intended to develop a workforce of choice, who are employed by Employers of Choice, so that we can continue to grow as a sector and meet consumer demand.”
To learn more about the GROW training programs, please visit the GROW Program website at growoutdoors.ca.