Welcome
Welcome to BOOST Ontario (Building Opportunities & Outcomes for Skilled Trades in Ontario).
BOOST Ontario is designed to support success in the skilled trades. We work with participants to understand their goals, identify strengths and barriers, create a personalized action plan, and connect them with the right tools, resources, and supports.
We are committed to helping participants succeed and ask participants to stay engaged and work with us throughout the process. Working together gives us the best opportunity to achieve positive outcomes.
Why we collect information
BOOST Ontario collects information to better understand what supports success in the skilled trades and how we can improve our services. This may include:
- Personal information such as name and contact information
- Demographic information
- Employment and apprenticeship information
- Education and training background
- Learning preferences, goals, strengths, and support needs
We use this information to:
- Develop a personalized action plan
- Connect participants with appropriate services and supports
- Track progress toward goals
- Understand how BOOST Ontario is performing overall
- Improve services for future participants
To help protect privacy, participants may be assigned a unique Participant ID number.
Any information used for research, evaluation, or reporting purposes will be de-identified, meaning names and other information that could identify an individual will be removed.
BOOST Ontario follows applicable privacy requirements, including Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), where applicable.
Use and storage of information
Your information is used to:
- Build your Individual Pathway Plan
- Support your participation in BOOST Ontario
- Coordinate services and referrals
- Evaluate and improve BOOST Ontario
Your information will be stored securely.
Paper and electronic records will be kept and securely destroyed according to program record-retention requirements and applicable privacy obligations.
BOOST Ontario will not disclose personal information except where authorized by the participant, required for program administration, required by funders, or otherwise permitted by law.
Collaborative support and AI tools
The BOOST Ontario team may meet regularly to discuss how best to support participants and coordinate services. These discussions help us:
- Identify strengths and support needs
- Coordinate referrals and services
- Develop personalized strategies and action plans
To support this work, BOOST Ontario may use AI tools to help create summaries of case notes, learning plans, or participant information.
Any AI-generated summaries used for internal planning will not include unnecessary personal information and will only be used to support service delivery, planning, and collaboration.
Your choices matter
We will ask questions to help us understand your goals, experiences, and support needs.
You may choose not to answer most questions unless the information is required to:
- Confirm eligibility
- Meet program requirements
- Complete required reporting
- Administer services
During meetings and interviews, staff may take notes to help develop your action plan and document services provided.
If there is information you would prefer not to include in reports or summaries, please let us know.
You will always have a chance to review your report before it is shared with anyone.
You may also request a copy of your report by email or mail.
Use of Social Insurance Number
BOOST Ontario may be required to collect or enter a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for:
- Program administration
- Eligibility confirmation
- CaMS documentation
- Skills Development Fund reporting requirements
The Social Insurance Number will be treated as confidential information and used only for authorized program purposes.
If a participant does not have a Social Insurance Number, staff will follow applicable Skills Development Fund and CaMS requirements regarding exemptions and documentation.
Staying in touch
After registration, a BOOST Ontario team member will contact participants regarding next steps. This may include:
- Learning exploration activities
- Service planning
- Referral supports
- Apprenticeship navigation
- Review of an Individual Pathway Plan
- Follow-up meetings and check-ins
Participants may also be contacted after services are completed to gather feedback and complete follow-up activities required by the project. This information helps us understand program outcomes and improve services.
Respect, fairness, and concerns
Everyone is welcome at BOOST Ontario.
We are committed to providing services that are respectful, inclusive, and accessible.
BOOST Ontario follows the Ontario Human Rights Code and is committed to equity and inclusion.
If accommodations are needed to fully participate, please let us know. We will work with you to identify appropriate supports where possible.
If something does not feel right, you have the right to raise a concern. Participants may:
- Speak with the BOOST Ontario team member they are working with.
- Request assistance from a project lead.
- Request that the matter be reviewed by a senior staff member.
We will make every reasonable effort to address concerns fairly and respectfully.
Participant acknowledgement
By acknowledging the Orientation Package on your intake form, you confirm that you have reviewed it and understand:
- Why BOOST Ontario collects information.
- How your information will be used and stored.
- That your information may be used to support your participation in BOOST Ontario.
- That BOOST Ontario may create reports, action plans, summaries, and records related to services provided.
- That BOOST Ontario may share relevant information with partner organizations involved in supporting your goals and participation when appropriate and permitted by applicable privacy requirements.
- That BOOST Ontario may use de-identified information for evaluation, reporting, research, and program improvement purposes.
- That you may choose not to answer most questions unless the information is required for eligibility, program administration, or reporting.
- That you have had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers regarding your participation.
- That BOOST Ontario may contact you during and after your participation for follow-up activities, surveys, outcome tracking, and program evaluation purposes.