The Future Is In Your Hands
ABOUT STDP
The Skilled Trades Development Program (STDP) stands as a beacon of social innovation, demonstrating its remarkable efficacy in curbing recidivism rates among youth who have encountered the justice system in some of Toronto's most challenging neighbourhoods.
Mark Tenaglia and Joe Williams, the visionary founders and driving forces behind the STDP, have not only emerged as leading experts in reducing the rate of recidivism across Canada but also significantly contributed to increasing employment opportunities in the skilled trades sector. Their innovative leadership in the STDP has facilitated transformative pathways for marginalized individuals, enabling them to ascend into Canada's middle class through skilled trade careers. By integrating comprehensive rehabilitation strategies with vocational training, Tenaglia and Williams have crafted a program that not only mitigates reoffending but also fills critical gaps in the labor market. Their efforts in fostering partnerships, mentorship, and skill development among disenfranchised youths have been instrumental in both enhancing the skilled workforce and promoting social mobility. This dual impact of the STDP underscores its role as a catalyst for change, highlighting the program's commitment to creating a more inclusive and prosperous society through the empowerment of its participants.
This pioneering initiative has given rise to a novel and personalized model of intervention. At its heart, this approach centers around guiding young individuals on a transformative path through comprehensive partnerships that unite Trade Unions, and many other agencies in a collaborative effort.
This initiative has introduced a new, tailored approach to helping young people. It emphasizes leading them towards positive change through wide-ranging collaborations that include Trade Unions and various organizations working in unison. In response to the multifaceted and dynamic issues confronting today's youth, the program deploys a comprehensive array of engagement tactics. Throughout a year-long period, it deeply involves the young participants in a deliberate curriculum aimed at fostering deep personal transformation. The journey begins with mentorship to provide early guidance and support, laying the groundwork for their developmental journey. It then expands to include vocational training, giving them essential skills and hands-on experience. The culmination of this process is the provision of secure employment opportunities in a variety of skilled trades, a commitment made to every graduate of the program.
The STDP Process
Interview
Week 1
The initial phase of the STDP commences with a preliminary phone interview. This is followed by a comprehensive in-person interview designed to explore the candidate's qualifications and compatibility in greater detail. Concurrently, we perform thorough background checks and reference verifications to ensure the candidate's reliability and integrity. Additionally, we conduct risk assessments to evaluate potential security or compliance issues associated with the candidate. This multi-tiered approach ensures a robust evaluation process, essential for maintaining high standards within our program.
Mentoring
4 - 5 weeks
Revolutionary coaching and immersive mentorship program, harnessing time-tested strategies from the realms of entrepreneurship and the lessons passed down through generations of wealthy families. Our approach draws inspiration from ancient wisdom, which serves as the cornerstone of our program, guiding participants on a transformative journey toward securing their place within the Canadian middle class through opportunities in the skilled trades.
Skills Training
6 - 8 weeks
The Skills Training segment of our program is conducted in collaboration with a renowned skilled trade training facility. Through this partnership, our clients receive specialized training that equips them with valuable skills necessary for the workforce. Upon completion of this training, participants are awarded certifications or "tickets," which serve as recognized credentials across the industry. These certifications enable our clients to work safely and with confidence on various job sites throughout the country. This component of the program not only enhances the employability of our clients but also ensures they meet national safety and performance standards, preparing them for successful careers in their chosen trades.
Employment Prep
1 Week
Upon completion of the skills training portion of our program, we transition our focus towards preparing our clients for the workforce. This next phase involves continuous mentoring, where we offer personalized guidance and support to ensure clients are fully prepared for job searches and employment challenges. Additionally, we provide comprehensive assistance with resume writing, helping clients to effectively showcase their new skills and experiences in a professional format. We also conduct interview preparation sessions, which include mock interviews and feedback, equipping our clients with the confidence and techniques needed to excel during real job interviews. These efforts are aimed at smoothing the pathway to employment, enhancing job prospects, and ultimately supporting our clients in securing meaningful employment in their trained fields.
Employment Placement
After the training segment is successfully completed, our collaboration between the training partners and the STDP progresses to the crucial phase of empleyment placement. Leveraging our extensive network of industry connections and partnerships, we actively engage in securing praetorships for our clients. These praetorships, which are essentially practical work experiences, are carefully matched to each client's skills and career aspirations. This targeted placement strategy not only helps to ensure that our clients are introduced to opportunities that are well-suited to their newly acquired skills, but it also facilitates their smooth transition into the workforce. Through these efforts, we aim to boost employment rates among our graduates and contribute positively to their professional development and career success.
