ANNUAL REPORT BUILDING BETTER FUTURES

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 BUILDING BETTER FUTURES

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3 Table of Contents PRESIDENT S AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S MESSAGE ABOUT MICROSKILLS PROGRAMS & SERVICES AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS STRATEGIC PLAN AGENCY ADMINISTRATION THANK YOU

4 President s and Executive Director s Message President s and Executive Director s Message Thank YOU! We are stronger and as committed as ever to enabling our clients and communities to achieve their potential. As we continue to build MicroSkills capacity for even greater impact in our community, areas of focused improvement this past year were financial stability, strong leadership and a positive work environment. Karen Webb Chair Lucy White Interim Executive Director BUILDING BETTER FUTURES FOR YOUTH In order to address high youth unemployment, MicroSkills helped pilot United Way Toronto and York Region s networks program to open networks and access to mentors for youth facing multiple challenges. This is a new way for young people to make the kinds of connections they need for meaningful career opportunities. Over the past year, MicroSkills built better futures with more than 17,000 women, youth, and newcomers across the GTA. And like our clients, faced with new realities and significant challenges, MicroSkills has undertaken major change. And also similar to our clients, it is the wrap-around support from you, our funders, sponsors, partners, volunteers and staff that is the key ingredient to success. In September, MicroSkills and the Rotary Clubs of Etobicoke and West Toronto cut the ribbon to the larger, brighter, modernized MicroSkills/Rotary Youth Centre. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of the Rotary Clubs, staff and volunteers are able to have a more dramatic positive impact on greater numbers of youth in the years ahead. 1 MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report

5 ENABLING SUSTAINABLE FUTURES FOR WOMEN MicroSkills continues to be a leader in advocating, enabling and supporting women to access stable careers in skilled trades, IT and self-employment. Thanks to the generous support from government and our many sector and corporate partners, these women received training, personal support and mentorship for high demand careers in areas such as transportation, horticulture and IT. BUILDING BRIDGES FOR NEWCOMERS In the last year, MicroSkills provided language training for over 1,300 newcomers. This is often the first of many services and programs that each individual receives from MicroSkills caring staff as they start their lives in Canada. Bridging programs enable internationally trained professionals to leverage their training, experience and strong motivation to access Canadian careers in supply chain, green economy and financial services. BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES We continue to be inspired by our clients and their stories as they learn new skills and form new networks to become both economically and socially self-sufficient. Our clients are often the first to give back to our communities as soon as they find success. Our Community Development work brought together area residents to take action on local priorities and in the process to acquire the confidence to make real change in their communities. BUILDING BETTER FUTURES TOGETHER At MicroSkills, we look forward to doing much more for the community as we strengthen our capacity and partnerships to have greater impact for the clients and communities that we so proudly serve. We must open the doors and we must see to it they remain open, so that others can pass through. - Rosemary Brown MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report 2

6 About MicroSkills MISSION STATEMENT Community MicroSkills Development Centre is a multi-cultural, non-profit, community based organization committed to assisting the unemployed, with priority to women, racial minorities, youth and immigrants. Recognizing barriers that immigrants, racial minority, youth and women face in their efforts towards self-sufficiency, MicroSkills aims to enable them to participate more fully in Canadian society and assist them in acquiring the skills needed to achieve self-determination and economic, social and political equality. VISION Our vision is to help individuals build a better future. We will achieve this by: Leading the way with quality and relevant services to our clients Maintaining service excellence and integrity in the way we conduct our business Continually developing and motivating our staff Continually growing and improving our programs Developing and maintaining relationships in the community. 3 MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report

7 CORE VALUES These core values guide how we deliver services, our conduct in the workplace, and the manner in which we undertake our strategic vision. Service with integrity, respect and adherence to the MicroSkills Code of Conduct Accountability to all Anti-racist operating framework Superior service delivery Working together Open management style that incorporates the principles of Appreciative Inquiry Achieving a balance in meeting the needs of all our stakeholders. OUR PROGRAMS Our programs are designed to assist the unemployed with priority to women, racial minorities, youth and immigrants to achieve career and personal goals. Clients choose from our many services as required to help them become self-reliant and economically self-sufficient. Services areas include: Women s Services Newcomer Services Employment Services Youth and Children Services Community Development and Resident Engagement. MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report 4

8 Programs & Services All of MicroSkills many programs and services share a common goal: to create sustainable change in the lives of individuals who are at risk of or living in poverty. Whether as one of MicroSkills 5,023 walk-in clients, one of 1,613 who called on the phone, or one of the 5,799 who participated in our more formal programs this year, our clients can access a wide-range of programs and services to meet their needs. And, by prioritizing women, youth, and newcomers, MicroSkills ensures those most at risk of poverty have the assistance they require to build better futures for themselves and their families. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES MicroSkills assisted unemployed and under-employed individuals by helping them to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to find and maintain sustainable employment. We offered a range of employment services, training programs and job search and placement supports and our counsellors worked with clients to match our programs with their requirements clients were assisted to find employment this year through one or more of our suite of programs and services. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT Our community development work brings together local residents to take collective action and create solutions to common issues. Our objective was to continue to build the capacity of local residents, and support each stage of resident-led efforts in being agents of change. To support the wellbeing of residents, and strengthen the community s vitality and resilience, MicroSkills delivered our key program Action for Neighbourhood Change Rexdale while also acting as trustee for funds raised by the community for their priority activities. 5 MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report

9 Employment Ontario Employment Services connected job seeking Individuals with employers needing skilled employees. Job seekers had access to many supports including Customized Job Search and Job Matching, access to Second Career Training, Career Discovery, Mentoring, and employer hosted Work Placements, as well as one-on-one referrals and information at our North Etobicoke and North York locations. Ontario Works Skills Training provided in-class training in workplace essential skills, computer fundamentals, occupation-specific training and placement opportunities for clients wishing to return to the labour market or to transition from social assistance benefits. Through our programs, 57 clients achieved valuable qualifications such as industry certifications in Materials Handling and Warehousing and Inventory Control and Operations Management. A key success factor with all of our Employment Services was the strong engagement of corporate partners in the programs and this year more than 45 new partnerships with business, associations, educational institutions and agencies were created. A component of our partnership with employers is the Canada Ontario Job Grant which MicroSkills administers to provide interested employers with training incentives to develop their workforce. In all, 593 MicroSkills clients found employment in 2015/2016. Our funders include Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, City of Toronto-Ontario Works, and Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade. NEWCOMER SERVICES Our Newcomer Services help all newcomers, whether immigrants or refugees, to gain a sense of belonging and to become fully engaged in all aspects of Canadian life -- social, cultural, and economic. Our programs helped 2,358 newcomers integrate into Canada in 2015/2016. This year, we were especially pleased to play a role in welcoming Syrian newcomers as they passed through on their way to settle elsewhere in Canada or began to put down roots here in the GTA. For Internationally Trained Individuals, our Bridging Programs provided sector-specific opportunities in fields commensurate with training and experience. This year, MicroSkills three programs helped 214 individuals find meaningful employment via the Green Economy Employment Program which connected clients with the Sustainability sector, Business Services which focused on employment in the Financial Services sector, and the Supply Chain Awareness and Employment Program. MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report 6

10 Newcomers had access to a range of programs and services at MicroSkills so that they could choose those that met their individual needs. 1,326 individuals accessed our Language Training and Skills Development, 564 individuals participated in Labour Market Access and Self Employment programming, 468 received support from our Settlement and Support Services,and 347 youth were engaged in Welcoming Communities initiatives. Our children s services provide our newcomer clients with childminding for their children between the ages of 18 months and 12 years. In 2015/2016, we offered a program of activities to help 146 children adapt to life in Canada, develop language skills, and have fun in a social setting. Our funders included Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, and Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade. WOMEN S SERVICES MicroSkills Women s Services offered pathways to assist women to find sustainable livelihoods. Our programs helped women build skills for labour market participation in growth areas of the economy, specifically information technology, trades and selfemployment. We design our programs within a holistic framework that this year included work experience placements, professional development, mentoring, access to career and employment counselling, job search support, violence prevention and personal counselling, and resources such as support for childcare and transportation. This year we served 140 women through flagship programs such as Trades and Technology Career Readiness, Advancing Women in Horticulture through Mentorship, and Women in Transportation. Our funders included Ontario Women s Directorate, Status of Women Canada, United Way-Women Gaining Ground and Canadian Women s Foundation. 7 MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report

11 YOUTH SERVICES MicroSkills Youth Services delivers programs and services which promote the healthy growth and development of youth aged 13 to 29 who face multiple barriers. 2,527 youth from underserved communities in North Etobicoke participated in one or more of MicroSkills Youth programs in 2015/2016. Our Youth programs address the needs of the whole person and offer a wide range of programs which foster educational advancement and future career success, while enhancing self-confidence and personal and social development in the youth we serve. This year, our Youth Services staff welcomed newcomer youth from Syria and elsewhere to Canada and provided them with the tools and experiences they need to reduce isolation and to participate in Canadian society. Academic supports help youth succeed in education while economic and skills development help youth find fulfilling career paths in sectors such as retail and media arts and technology. Programs which promote health and wellness and leadership development ensure youth have the opportunity to explore different interests and meet life goals. Our girls programs met the specific needs of girls in building self-esteem and self-confidence while offering academic and career related supports. We are proud to have officially launched the MicroSkills Rotary Youth Centre with our partners the Rotary Clubs of Etobicoke and Toronto West. Our new space provides a bright and vibrant welcome to youth participating in our programming for local youth. In addition to our new facility, we continued to offer multi-service programs in high schools, at The Rexdale Community Hub and the ProTech Media Centre. Our funders include Ontario Ministries of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Economic Development, Trade and Employment, and Community Safety and Correctional Services, the City of Toronto, Ontario Trillium Foundation, and United Way of Greater Toronto and York Region. MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report 8

12 Plan Audited Financial Statements $350K during fiscal 2015/2016 and beyond. In addition, we restructured operations at a onetime cost of approximately $220K. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW In fiscal 2015/2016, MicroSkills addressed a number of financial challenges as our revenues declined by 12% and expenses declined by 10% over the prior year. During the fiscal year, MicroSkills made material changes to our operations; we reduced our physical footprint to create greater space utilization which will lead to a savings of approximately The agency continues to identify and maximize efficiencies with the support of our Board of Directors, Audit and Risk Management Committee, senior leaders and staff. Our greatest support continues to be from the three levels of government at 81% of our revenue which funds programs and services provided to the community. As a member of the United Way of Greater Toronto and York Region, we continue to receive the United Way s support to help our charitable cause in the community. STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2016 REVENUE SOURCES Revenue Source Government United Way Toronto Others Total ,269, , ,750 7,691,284 7,472, , ,210 8,743,168 82% 7% 11% Government Expenses 8,285,042 9,302,285 United Way Toronto Contribution to Capital Acquisition Excess (Deficiency) of Revenue over Expenditure Opening Net Assets Closing Net Assets/(Deficiency) 181,142 (774,900) 660,733 (113,294) 135,697 (694,814) 1,355, ,733 Other 9 MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report

13 Strategic Plan STRATEGIC PLAN The end of this fiscal year also marks the end of MicroSkills three-year Strategic Plan. The six strategic directions were: Strengthen and build sustainable partnerships Ensure MicroSkills programs are relevant to clients and the labour market Use information technology to enhance client services and MicroSkills operations Strengthen MicroSkills funding and fund-raising capabilities Foster an environment of engagement to optimize working relationships and outcomes Create a culture of risk awareness Evaluation of the current plan and work on the new plan began at the annual spring Board and senior staff retreat. The new plan will be available in the fall of MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report

14 Agency Administration BOARD GOVERNANCE MicroSkills has a 15-member volunteer Board of Directors that sets the policies and strategic direction of the agency. The Board provides leadership to the Executive Director, who is responsible for managing the daily operations of the agency and ensuring that organizational objectives are being reached. Board members, in maintaining their accountability as Directors, take part in an annual orientation and strategic retreat, and conduct periodic evaluations of their work as a board and as individual directors. Each board member also serves on at least one committee. Functional experts further enhance committee work as full committee members and provide a pool of potential future board members. The current Board Committees are: Executive/Chairs Committee Audit and Risk Management Committee Corporate Governance Committee Resource Development Committee Nominations Committee. OPERATIONS MicroSkills staff complement consists of 107, including full-time, part-time and contractual staff. Together they speak over 40 languages to support the delivery of culturally sensitive services to our client group. In 2015/2016, MicroSkills undertook a restructuring and we continue to adjust our corporate structure to further improve service delivery to our clients. Restructuring was facilitated by refreshed training and professional development opportunities for staff throughout the agency beginning the spring of Following the initial restructuring, we consolidated our lease commitments and now operate more efficiently out of four locations, down from six, while still serving clients from our key catchment areas. MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report

15 Thank You THANK YOU Our many individual and corporate partners are a critical element in our clients success in moving from risk of or living in poverty to finding sustainable livelihoods. In some cases, our partnerships span years of dedicated commitment to MicroSkills. Whether contributing time or funds to our work, as volunteers, guest lecturers, employers, mentors, sponsors or donors, the value of our partnerships cannot be overstated. Although space does not allow us to list the many partners that supported us this year, please accept our heartfelt gratitude and thanks for helping MicroSkills build better futures. MicroSkills 2016 Annual Report

16 HEAD OFFICE 1 Vulcan Street Etobicoke, ON M9W 1L3 MICROSKILLS EAST 200 Consumers Road, 9th Floor Toronto, ON M2J 4R4 MICROSKILLS ROTARY YOUTH CENTRE 235 Dixon Road, Unit 16 Toronto, ON M9P 2M5 PROTECH MEDIA CENTRE 21 Panorama Court, Suite 1202 Toronto, ON M9V 3S6 REXDALE COMMUNITY HUB 21 Panorama Court Suite 2202 Toronto, ON M9V 3S6 How can you help build a better future? Donate Online at: or Call us at: or Charitable # RR0001