April 22, 2021
Landscape Ontario's GROW program renewed for 2021/22
Recruitment begins for the GROW New Entrant, Incumbent Worker and Employers of Choice training programs.
"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."
GROW (short for Get Ready for Opportunities at Work) was developed by Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association and 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.
"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. 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," said Sally Harvey, Landscape Ontario’s Director of Education & Workforce Development.
Recruitment is underway for the New Entrant Training Program. Training begins May 31 and will run regularly until October.
GROW Incumbent Worker Training and Employers of Choice programs begin accepting applicants this summer, with details on training coming soon.
To learn more about the GROW Training Programs, please visit growoutdoors.ca.
New Entrant Training Program: www.growoutdoors.ca/new-entrant-training-program
Incumbent Worker Training Program: www.growoutdoors.ca/incumbent-worker-training-program
Employers of Choice Program: www.growoutdoors.ca/employers-of-choice-program
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Media inquiries, please contact:
Rebecca Harrison
rharrison@landscapeontario.com
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Background:
GROW Program
The GROW Program seeks to develop, advance and promote Ontario's landscape and horticultural sector by providing specialized training to the sector's workers and firms.GROW training programs support new workers wishing to begin their sector career, current professionals seeking to expand their skills, and sector employers striving to enhance their ability to attract and retain the best possible teams.
GROW (short for Get Ready for Opportunities at Work) was developed by Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association and funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. GROW provides all 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.
GROW Program Training Streams:
The New Entrant Training Program:2021/22 Training Program Begins May 31
The New Entrant Training Program prepares eligible participants to obtain 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 Incumbent Worker Training Program
2021/22 Nominations Open this Summer:
The Incumbent Worker Training Program provides advanced professional development to current sector workers nominated for the program by their employer. All successful nominees receive foundational supervisory and advanced health and safety compliance training. GROW staff create individualized development plans with each participant in coordination with their employer. The program is delivered online for an hour a week for 14 weeks.
Employers of Choice Program
2021/22 Applications Opening soon
The Employers of Choice Program works with eligible sector employers to advance their ability to attract, recruit and retain a dedicated team of exceptional staff. New this year, the Employers of Choice Peer-to-Peer Network supports continued collaboration between program alumni and leaders as they endeavour to improve their human resource asset.
