EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES

LEF has been connecting people to employment for more than 30 years. We can support newcomers to Canada, those out of the workforce for a period of time, new graduates, those recently completing training or looking for training, as well as those in a host of other unique situations. LEF is also a 'registered private career college under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 ' and its programs are 'approved under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 '.

We offer:

• Workshops
• Individual Counseling
• Career Options
• Help, Support and Direction

In addition to enabling individuals to gain employment, LEF’s Employment Services also fosters the capacity for local economic development by working with local employers to ensure they have the human resources they need to operate and grow.

For more information or to start working towards your career goals, click on the Job Seekers area in the navigation. To partner with LEF to find employees, click on the Looking for Workers in the navigation.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

Over the years LEF has taken on the challenge of directly meeting local social needs head on, and underpinning that work with a fee for service financial model. This challenge has meant we have engaged in many enterprises over the years, including the following.

LEF Wood Works vaulted "at risk" youth back to school or into employment through the production of custom made pine furniture.

LEFonline enabled individuals to practice their newly learned IT Skills within a full-fledged Internet Service Provider (ISP) business.

Today our Food Services enterprise continues to thrive. Our Events Department ensures grassroots learning and relationship building while also providing first class national professional development opportunities.

Our Bicycle Assembly and Maintenance program (BAM) and other skills advancement work, with the accompanying funding through LEF's unique Community Skills Development Fund (CSDF), and our child care services continue to meet needs that would otherwise go unmet.

 In the late 1970s, the former city of York went through a major economic restructuring, with a significant loss of industry, including the closure of many large manufacturers, resulting in thousands of lost jobs. The economic change was felt throughout the community. Incomes fell and rental rates dropped. With the employment loss, the city became concerned that it needed to enhance social services, education and employment services. In 1978, with a small, one-time grant, a group of community members formed a charitable organization which incorporated itself as The Learning Enrichment Foundation. LEF began by offering multicultural theatre for children, but quickly diversified its services to offer skills training and youth counseling. By the early 1980s, LEF had opened child care centres, launched employment services and expanded our skills training opportunities. We are dedicated to the former city of York, where we have been delivering these quality, integrated services. This is an area with remarkable community spirit and diversity, but with the difficult challenges that come with having the highest level of poverty in the Greater Toronto Area and being one of the poorest communities in Ontario. Since our beginning, we have continually expanded our services to meet the needs of our community. We are now among the largest such organization serving the former city of York. We could not have reached this place without the guidance of our founding executive director Eunice Grayson and the vision of Donald C. MacDonald. Both shared a keen entrepreneurial spirit and deep belief that anything was possible. These passionate, understanding and determined leaders were the heart of LEF. Their legacy and leadership continue to guide our path. Today, LEF’s programs, services and resources position us as a hub for community economic development and social enterprise, serving many thousands of families every year