Community Sector Transitional Jobs for Individual with Barriers to Employment

The original intent of the project was to propose a transitional job program in Toronto that would offer temporary paid positions to people who find it difficult to maintain regular employment. Researchers met with government officials to discuss the weaknesses in existing employment programs and benefits of a transitional job pilot project. It became clear that broader changes needed to be made to help those facing employment barriers and instead of implementing a single transitional work program, the researchers shifted their focus to reviewing the strengths and weaknesses employment programs in Ontario. As a result of this project, the Downtown East Community Development Collective has become involved in employment policy discussions at the municipal and provincial levels.