Item - 2023.EC1.8

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1. Directed the City Manager to report to the April 25, 2023 meeting of the Economic and Community Development Committee on the implementation of a revised omnibus agreement(s), that includes securing agreements with more post-secondary institutions and advancing additional opportunities for placements that align with the needs of the city and practical course requirements, in preparation of student placement intakes in September 2023.

Toronto is home to a number of world-class, publicly-funded post-secondary institutions and plays host to over 100,000 students from around the world. To meet the needs of a changing labour market, many of these institutions' programs include practical, hands-on placement requirements for students. After being paused at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, on September 1, 2022, the City relaunched the Omnibus Program with academic institutions for the 2022-2025 period. The Omnibus Program helps City Divisions bring on post-secondary students for unpaid work placements within the City. Acknowledging the keen interest in the program, the City should work to secure agreements with more academic institutions, including universities, so that quality placement opportunities are not lost.

The City of Toronto is one of the top employers in Canada and a major player in a number of critical industry sectors. As we look for our local economy to come back stronger than ever, we must be working in collaboration with our partners, like post-secondary institutions, to promote and strengthen workforce development opportunities. We have no time to waste. I am asking that the City Manager report back in short order on the agreements so that additional student placement intakes can begin in September 2023.