Ottawa Women Newcomers Tech Initiative 5-Year Report
In 2020, Lighthouse Labs, OCCSC, Riipen, and CATA Alliance launched the OWN initiative. Our goal: to help educated newcomer women with international information and communications technology (ICT) and digital experience—talent that wasn’t yet recognized in Canada—find meaningful tech careers. Five years later, we celebrate the program’s success and the 58 women who integrated into the workforce and built meaningful careers.
- $20M+ Cumulative Earnings
- $4.6M+ in Economic Return
- 10:1 ROI for Every Dollar Spent
- 220+ Employers Engaged
Recommendations from the OWN 5-Year Report
Programs like OWN show what’s possible when workforce investments are built on outcomes, employer partnerships, and local delivery. With Ontario’s 2025 Budget recognizing “extraordinary circumstances” and raising expectations for return on public dollars, our recommendations respond to this new reality with strategic, tested, and scalable solutions.
Recommendation 1: Explore a “Scaling Stream” to Build on What’s Working
Ontario has an opportunity to fast-track impact by creating a dedicated stream within the Skills Development Fund for programs that have already demonstrated strong outcomes. Exploring this approach could reduce duplication, speed up delivery, and improve ROI within existing workforce investments.
Recommendation 2: Explore the Potential of Educated and Experienced Newcomers as Part of Ontario’s Economic Response
Degree-holding newcomers with relevant experience are already trained and ready to contribute. By exploring ways to activate this talent pool, Ontario can achieve near-term results that support productivity, integration, and economic growth—without long retraining cycles.
Recommendation 3: Explore Sector-Based Hiring Pathways Across Workforce Programs
Ontario’s workforce strategy could benefit from deeper alignment between training programs and sector-specific hiring needs. Exploring stronger industry partnerships can lead to faster job placements, improved employer engagement, and more resilient talent pipelines in sectors critical to the province’s growth.