In today’s competitive job market, technical competencies no longer ensure employment. The workplace has evolved and soft skills such as effective communication, organization, teamwork, initiative, and conflict resolution are paramount.
Responding to this identified need of employers, the Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board (SMWDB) has developed a comprehensive curriculum framework, with broad employer appeal, that will enhance participants’ soft skills and employability skills.
To this end, in late 2013 the SMWDB engaged Millier Dickinson Blais to advance a project that would centre on the following objectives:
1. Identify and analyze related curriculum in Southern Ontario
2. Identify global and national best practices in soft-skill curriculum framework delivery and content
3. Develop a Curriculum Framework
4. Develop a Curriculum Delivery Framework
What is Soft Skills Solutions©?
-
A 25-30-hour employability/soft skills training program for youth and adults - developed by Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board (SMWDB)
-
Designed to help individuals not only obtain or retain employment, but to become highly valued employees
-
Certificates issued upon successful completion
What Makes Soft Skills Solutions© (SSS) Different?
-
Custom, copyrighted content
-
Comprehensive - yet compact - program
-
Universal and equitable access to training - free for participants
-
Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board trains facilitators
-
Authentic response to employer needs; addresses workplace issues from the employer's perspective
What are people who have taken Soft Skills Solutions© saying about it?
“You learn how to get along with coworkers”
“It helps to both remind you of some skills you have but forgot, and teach you the skills needed to be successful in the
modern workforce”
What are SSS facilitators are saying about Soft Skills Solutions©?
“Excellent materials - set up for simple and straight forward presentation”
“Excellent! It is clear that a great deal of research and effort went into the preparation of this program”






Background of Soft Skills Solutions©
Through an Employability Skills Training Research Project conducted in 2013/2014,
best practices in soft skills training at the local, national and global levels were examined which validated the development of an employability skills training framework.
Further, the employers surveyed clearly indicated:
-
Employability skills are a critical element informing hiring decisions and retention.
-
The majority of employers would send their employees for “no cost employability skills training”
-
The majority of employers indicated “yes” they would be more likely to consider hiring a job candidate that has participated in an ‘employability skills training program’’ considering that 'hard skills' are met.
Over time, Soft Skills Solutions© will be more widely recognized among employers, organizations and job-seekers as a standard in employability skills training program.
Everything You Need to Know
Job Seekers
Learn more about the skills that will help you compete and advance in today’s job market.
Soft Skills Solutions© (SSS) is a free program, offered at many employment resource and adult upgrading/literacy centres.
This program is taught by SSS Trainers. The program is approximately 25 hours in length, and covers important topics that will give you confidence and a competitive edge at your next job.
Learn more about the key workplace skills that employers are asking for:
-
Communication
-
Teamwork
-
Personal Management
-
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
-
Professional Development
Click here for a detailed list of the program details: SSS Training Unit - Highlights
To find out if there is training available near you, call your local Employment Ontario Employment Services or Literacy Program go to http://www.211ontario.ca for listings.
Employers
Soft Skills Solutions© (SSS) was created with employers in mind! We conducted studies and researched extensively, and we listened to your concerns:
“Employability skills (soft skills) are a critical element informing hiring decisions and retention.”
As a result, we developed Soft Skills Solutions©, which is currently being rolled out to communities across Central Ontario.
Soft skills can be taught!
-
Training current (or potential) employees in soft skills helps improve work performance, retention, teamwork, staff morale and profits
-
SSS is designed to help people enhance overall work habits and interact better with others
-
Focuses on professionalism, and what it means to be successful in today’s workplace
We are currently developing this program to be able to offer it to employers – so your staff can be trained on-site or off-site at a minimal charge. For more information, phone us at 705-725-1011.
Employment & Literacy Trainers
Your non-profit organization may qualify to run Soft Skills Solutions© at your centre. This program is 25-30 hours in length, and is free for all participants.
All facilitators must be trained through Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board Please note there is a small fee for the one-day training.
Email us at sss@smwdb.com to find out more about SSS and how it may benefit your job-seekers or learners.
Related Articles on the Importance of Soft Skills in Today's Workforce
See below for a list of SSS Delivery Organizations 2017
