Studio Arts provided an update to the Employment Training Panel on progress under its active contract. The contractor reported it is about 61% into the training period, has enrolled 202 trainees across 62 participating employers and is currently tracking about 44.96% of potential earnings, the contractor said.

Staff told the panel that the training period is 20 months, with the last three months reserved for retention, and that the current tracking level is not, at this point, an immediate cause for concern. Staff said it is standard practice to check in with contractors at this point so they can adjust training plans to meet ETP performance expectations.

Why it matters: The update provides transparency on the contract’s performance and gives regional staff and the contractor an opportunity to take corrective actions early in the training period if necessary.

Panel discussion: Members asked specifically about wage progression and examples of post-training wage outcomes. The contractor responded with examples of union and nonunion trainee wage ranges (union junior animators beginning around $35/hour with senior roles higher; nonunion ranges noted as variable). Staff confirmed they will continue to monitor performance and follow up if needed.

Ending: Staff and the contractor agreed to continued monitoring; staff said they would raise any unresolved concerns at subsequent panel meetings.