October 2, 2015
Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of Toronto's Economic Development Committee, launched Workforce Development Month at the grand opening of a new Michaels retail store in RioCan Hall, a three-storey shopping centre at 142 John St., where many residents have secured employment opportunities through the City's recruitment partnership with Michaels.
"These partnerships give people two very important things – a job and the experience they need to move forward, especially for our young people," said Mayor John Tory. "I am committed to making this city a better place to work and live, and Workforce Development Month demonstrates the many ways we strive to make this happen."
The City of Toronto is committed to helping people find jobs and helping businesses find the skilled employees they need. Workforce Development Month, now in its fourth year allows the City and its partners to showcase initiatives, programs and events that are successfully connecting employers and job seekers.
"This collaboration between private industry and the City is an excellent example of the way employers are partnering with us to recruit quality candidates to fill their employment needs," said Councillor Thompson. "We need to keep our focus on creating jobs and working with industry to ensure that we are creating opportunities for our residents."
"Toronto is an important market for Michaels, and our new downtown location will have the largest sales floor of any Michaels store in Canada,” said Michaels District Manager Rod Falkins. "Having an excellent staff is the key to every Michaels store’s success, and our partnership with the City’s Workforce Development initiative has helped us find more than 60 qualified, reliable new associates who will meet or exceed our customers’ expectations when they shop with us.”
Members of the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) were also present, emphasizing that within retail there are many opportunities for great careers with potential for advancement.
"Employment opportunities in the retail sector are very diverse, from sales and management to information technology, marketing, logistics and so much more. Retail is an industry with opportunity for individuals to build impressive careers," said Andrew Siegwart, Senior Vice President, Membership Services of RCC.
Toronto residents and employers are encouraged to attend the many events happening throughout the month of October. For information about Workforce Development Month and the many public events, visit
http://www.toronto.ca/workone or follow Toronto, Employment and Social Services on Twitter @TorontoESS and Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/TorontoESS.
About The Michaels Companies, Inc.
The Michaels Companies, Inc. is North America's largest specialty retailer of arts and crafts. As of August 1, 2015, the company owns and operates 1,186 Michaels stores in 49 states and Canada and 118 Aaron Brothers stores, and produces 12 exclusive private brands including Recollections®, Studio Decor®, Bead Landing®, Creatology®, Ashland®, Celebrate It®, ArtMinds®, Artist's Loft®, Craft Smart®, Loops & Threads® and Imagin8®.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contacts:
Anna McGrath, Toronto Employment and Social Services, 416-392-9052, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Georgia Mason, The Michaels Companies, Inc., 817-329-3257, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Michaella Walton, The Michaels Companies, Inc., 817-329-3257, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
