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Employers, government and employees all have a role.

Whether you're competing in the local, national or international marketplace, investing in workplace training serves as an excellent retention and recruitment strategy for any organization. Here is a list of ideas on how to get started on a workplace training initiative in your organization:

• Workplace Skills Strategy is a Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) program with three priority areas: workplace skills investment; skills recognition and utilization; and partnerships, networks and information. More information about the Workplace Skills Strategy is available by clicking here.
• Continuing Education consult the course listings at your local community college, university and school divisions to find out what kind of courses and training opportunities, relevant to your industry, are offered to improve skill sets of your employees and provide training.
• Government of Canada offers supports for businesses, including financial and tax assistance, information and advisory services, and support for innovation, technology, research and development which can help companies in addressing workforce training needs. HRSDC programs include employment insurance, sectoral partners and support for sector councils, support for apprenticeship, the Red Seal program, the National Literacy Secretariat and youth employment programs. Visit the HRSDC website at hrsdc.gc.ca and Industry Canada's website at strategis.ic.gc.ca for more information.
  
• Consult a human resources professional to conduct a competency review of your workplace talent and together create a plan for workplace training initiatives.

Whatever path you decide to explore when mapping out a workplace training initiative, one thing is clear: partnership and working together are important. Make sure you have a clear idea of what kind of training you want to offer your employees and, conversely, make sure the employees have a clear understanding of why the training is being offered to them.

To find out more about workplace learning, click here and download the PDF copy of the Canadian Council on Learning's discussion paper, Employer Investment in Workplace Learning in Canada.