Small Business: Too Big to Ignore. Breaking the Skills and Digital Divide

The COVID-19 crisis is having a devastating impact on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), charities, and not-for-profit organizations in Ontario.

SMEs are the backbone of the Canadian economy, accounting for more than 90% of jobs in the private sector. Yet they face critical labour shortages, skill gaps and challenges related to access to broadband that threaten their competitiveness.

Join us on Thursday, October 15 from 12:00 - 1:30pm for the launch of Diversity Institute's latest report, Small and Medium Size Employers (SMEs): Skills Gaps and Future Skills, a Skills Next project and a collaboration between the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Diversity Institute, Public Policy Forum, Future Skills Centre, followed by an exciting panel conversation to deep dive on some of these critical issues facing small business. Skills Next is funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Program.

We will be joined by panelists:

• Pedro Barata, Executive Director, Future Skills Centre

• Andria Barrett - President and CEO, Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce

• Lesley Gouldie - President and CEO, Thornhill Medical

• Melissa Hardy-Giles - Owner, ORIGIN

• Donna Skelly - MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook

• Jennifer Turliuk - CEO, MakerKids

• Report presentation by: Wendy Cukier, Diversity Institute Founder, Academic Director, WEKH and Research Lead, Future Skills Centre & Ashley Challinor - Vice President of Policy, Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

As a special addition to this event, tune in at 11:40am for the launch of the first ever VIRTUAL Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs): Difference Maker Edition.

While the OBAAs has typically been an in person gala event, this year we’re pleased to come together virtually to celebrate Difference Makers – the incredible businesses, men and women who have worked tirelessly to keep our communities running throughout the pandemic.

In this episode, we’ll be celebrating grocery workers across the province who stepped up to support Ontario’s communities. Join us as we celebrate them!