Welfare Reform Through Tailor-Made Training

This paper describes “tailor-made training,” an approach to welfare reform that focusses upon individual skills. Under this model, a nonprofit organization identifies job opportunities in the local economy. The organization then provides very short-term, intensive training that equips individuals to carry out the targeted jobs. Training lasts from three days to a maximum six weeks. The organization helps match the trained individuals with the job opportunities. The work of the Winnipeg-based Opportunities for Employment, one of the most advanced models of tailor-made training, is profiled. To date, the program has had very positive long-term results. The paper acknowledges that there are problems with this model; it is not the single “magic bullet” that governments appear to be seeking. But at least it is based on a constructive rather than a punitive approach to welfare reform. Tailor-made training is also a good model for lifelong learning.

ISBN – 1-894159-15-2