VPI Working Solutions
VPI Working Solutions is a not-for-profit Employment Ontario service provider delivering free employment services to job seekers, employers, and community partners across 11 branches in Southern Ontario, funded by Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersMississauga, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What VPI Working Solutions does
VPI Working Solutions is a not-for-profit employment services provider operating as a designated Employment Ontario service provider under contract with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the organization delivers free employment services across 11 physical branch locations in Southern Ontario. It serves three primary stakeholder groups: job seekers — including general candidates, youth, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, and mature workers — local employers, and community partner organizations. The organization's stated values framework, branded "EPIC" (Empower, Partner, Inspire, Connect), structures its program delivery.
The organization's service portfolio includes the Scarborough Youth Bridge to Employment (SYBE) youth program, sector-specific interview preparation workshops covering Manufacturing, Healthcare (HSW/PSW), and Security industries, and a now-paused Ontario Equine Education and Employment Program (OEEEP). Operational infrastructure includes a job board built on the SmartSimple platform and ADP for payroll processing. VPI collects labor market intelligence through its annual Employer One Survey, organizes multi-employer job fairs, and maintains an AODA Multi-Year Accessibility Plan covering 2021-2026. As a designated EO service provider, it holds mandated Social Insurance Number (SIN) collection authority for client intake and provincial reporting.
VPI's business model is government-funded rather than commercially monetized: services are provided at no charge to job seekers or employers, with revenue derived entirely from provincial contracts under the Employment Ontario network. Its go-to-market approach relies on community-based outreach, a referral partner ecosystem that includes VPI Foundation Opportunity (VFO), the Canadian Armed Forces, and Learning Connections Hamilton, and the geographic visibility of its 11-branch footprint. The named employer customer in the data is Woodbine Racetrack, with the remainder of employer engagement appearing as distributed outreach to local Southern Ontario employers rather than concentrated anchor accounts.
VPI Working Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VPI Working Solutions
- Legal name
- VPI Employment Services
- Website
- https://vpi-inc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- VPI Working Solutions is a not-for-profit Employment Ontario service provider delivering free employment services to job seekers, employers, and community partners across 11 branches in Southern Ontario, funded by Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VPI Working Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Employment Services
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Employment Placement Agencies (561311)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Supported Employment & Job Coaching (EDAKANAE)
Keywords
Where VPI Working Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mississauga
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
VPI Working Solutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Employment Ontario Government Funding: VPI delivers services as a service provider under Ontario's Employment Ontario program administered by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). The ministry mandates collection of Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) for service delivery and reporting, indicating flow-funded government contracts as the primary revenue stream.
- Employer Partnerships & Hiring Support: VPI provides tailored hiring support, talent matching, and workforce solutions to local employers (including participation in programs like the Veteran Friendly Ontario Challenge and the 2024 Employer One Survey). Employer-related revenue is not itemized publicly but appears to flow through funded program delivery.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | All jobseeker and employer services are FREE, funded by Employment Ontario (MLITSD). |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
VPI Working Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VPI Employment Services is a designated Employment Ontario service provider that delivers free, personalized employment counselling, vocational assessments, and wraparound career support to job seekers across Southern Ontario. Services are delivered through 11 physical offices and a SmartSimple-powered online job board, supplemented by a calendar of recurring workshops (resume writing, interview prep, LinkedIn, customer service, accessibility), specialized programs (Better Jobs Ontario, OEEEP equine training, SYBE youth program), and employer/community partner referral pipelines.
Product overview
VPI Employment Services operates a single integrated service portfolio (not a modular SaaS platform) composed of three core service lines — Jobseekers, Employer Partners, and Community Partners — delivered through a 10-branch network across Southern Ontario (Ajax, Etobicoke, Georgetown, Hamilton, Mississauga, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Toronto, Vaughan) and a corporate head office in Mississauga. The Jobseekers service line bundles free personalized career counselling with specialized programs including Better Jobs Ontario (government-funded), Vocational & Assessments, the Ontario Equine Education and Employment Program (OEEEP), and the Scarborough Youth Bridge to Employment Program (SYBE), plus a calendar of recurring virtual workshops (e.g., Ace Your Job Interview, Resume & Cover Letter Writing, Identifying Your Strengths and Skills, Introduction to LinkedIn, Disclosure of Disabilities, Empowering Mature Job Seekers, Customer Service Excellence, Advanced Job Searching Strategies) and sector-specific interview prep (Manufacturing, Healthcare HSW/PSW, Security). Operational delivery relies on the VPI Job Board (backed by SmartSimple as the registration/intake system) and ADP Workforce Now for internal recruitment, with public events surfaced through The Events Calendar (Google Calendar, iCalendar, Outlook 365/Outlook Live subscriptions). The product portfolio is wrapped in a published Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2021-2026 aligned with Ontario's AODA and supported by CASL and privacy policies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- VPI Jobseekers Services Free personalized support service for individuals seeking sustainable employment, including career counselling, skills development, life stabilization, and job-readiness resources delivered through VPI's Ontario branch network.
- VPI Employer Partners Recruitment and workforce development service that connects Ontario employers with diverse job seeker talent pools and provides tailored hiring support to strengthen their workforce.
- VPI Community Partners Partnership program offering wraparound community support, workforce readiness training, and pathways to inclusive employment through collaborations with community organizations addressing housing, mental health, and financial assistance needs.
- Better Jobs Ontario Government-funded employment program delivered by VPI providing financial resources and practical tools to help Ontario job seekers secure meaningful, long-term employment.
- Vocational & Assessments Vocational assessment service for individuals (including those with injury, illness, or disability) that evaluates skills, medical history, and employment readiness to inform career planning and return-to-work strategies.
- Ontario Equine Education and Employment Program (OEEEP) Free introductory training program for job seekers interested in the Ontario equine industry, covering horse anatomy, handling, nutrition, and facility management, paired with work placements and 12–18 week employer wage subsidies.
- Scarborough Youth Bridge to Employment Program (SYBE) Free program for Scarborough youth aged 18–29 who are out of school, providing virtual info sessions, job-ready skills training, real work experience, personalized support, and employer connections.
- VPI Job Board Online job search portal powered by SmartSimple that aggregates current openings from local Southern Ontario employers across VPI's branch locations (Ajax, Etobicoke, Georgetown, Hamilton, Mississauga, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Toronto, Vaughan).
- Ace Your Job Interview Workshop Free virtual workshop that equips job seekers with tools to prepare for interviews, manage stress, communicate experience effectively, and confidently handle difficult questions.
- Resume & Cover Letter Writing Workshop Free virtual workshop teaching job seekers how to craft impressive resumes and cover letters that stand out to employers, including common mistakes to avoid.
- Manufacturing and Production Industry Interview Preparation Free interview preparation workshop tailored for job seekers interested in Production and Manufacturing roles.
Companies that use VPI Working Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
VPI Working Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature5 records
VPI Working Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Women's Centre of York Region (WCYR)coreCo-delivers workshops on creative cover letters and impactful resumes for women job seekers. Quote from Allison Hermann: 'Partnering with VPI for workshops on writing creative cover letters and crafting impactful resumes has been an invaluable experience for our clients.'
- WORK SAFE TrainingcoreCollaborates with VPI on referrals for forklift training; ~2-year ongoing partnership. Quote from Sunita (WORK SAFE Training Course Administrator) praises VPI's dedication to supporting clients and providing excellent referrals.
- Ve'ahavtacoreRefers clients to VPI for employment services and reports fast response and good service. Quote from Jade Gould, Career Counsellor: 'When we refer clients to VPI, the team responds fast and provides great service to our client's.'
- Bridgecare (via Rev. Shirley Buchanan organization)coreHelps released prisoners integrate into communities; VPI provides clear referral process and timely intake for shared goal of reducing recidivism. Quote from Rev. Shirley Buchanan, Vice President - Programs & Missions.
- South Central Region (Robin Brushey organization)coreReciprocal referral partnership supporting individuals looking for educational and employment opportunities. Quote from Robin Brushey, Director, Recruitment & Partnerships, South Central Region.
- Immigrants Working Centre (IWC)coreCo-delivers workplace-culture sessions that enhance IWC's WorkLink program for newcomer clients. Quote from Paula Castano, Manager of Employment Services at IWC.
- Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre (CONC)coreRefers clients to VPI employment counsellors; quotes Noreen Ninsiima, Income Security Worker at CONC, praising VPI's commitment and consistency in following up with clients until suitable employment is found.
- Veteran Friendly Ontario Challenge (VFO)coreCost-free training program forges partnerships between military veterans and Ontario business owners; VPI promotes and co-hosts VFO virtual meetings to help employers tap into veteran talent (≈8,500 CAF members transitioning annually).
- Canadian Armed Forces (Sgt. Michael Bailey)minorGuest speaker partnership: Sgt. Michael Bailey joins VPI workshops to present employment opportunities beyond combat positions across Navy, Army, and Air Forces. Open to ages 16–56.
- Learning Connections Hamilton (Fiona Gordan)minorGuest speaker partnership: Fiona Gordan delivers information sessions at VPI on essential skills, academic upgrading, Grade 12 equivalents, post-secondary education, apprenticeships, and skills assessment.
- ADP (Workforce Now)coreADP Workforce Now powers VPI's recruitment and applicant tracking system; all current job postings link through workforcenow.adp.com for application submission.
- SmartSimplecoreSmartSimple hosts VPI's online job board and event registration system at vpi3.smartsimple.biz, used by both job seekers and event registrants.
- Woodbine RacetrackcoreWork Experience Placement host for the Ontario Equine Education and Employment Program (OEEEP); OEEEP participant Ihab was hired there as a Hot Walker.
- The Events Calendar (Tribe / Stellar Events)coreWordPress plugin powering VPI's workshop/events calendar with .ics, Google Calendar, iCalendar, and Outlook 365/Live subscription support.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
VPI Working Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- JVS Toronto: Toronto-based nonprofit employment services provider delivering free career counselling, employer partnerships, and newcomer/youth programs funded by Employment Ontario and other government sources — directly comparable to VPI's service portfolio and funding model.
- ACCES Employment: Ontario-wide nonprofit providing free employment services with a strong focus on newcomers, skilled immigrants, and youth — funded in part by Employment Ontario; competes with VPI for the same jobseeker and employer segments in the GTA.
- COSTI Immigrant Services: Greater Toronto Area nonprofit delivering settlement and employment services to newcomers and immigrants under government-funded contracts — directly competes with VPI for newcomer employment programming in the same geography.
- The Career Foundation: Ontario employment services nonprofit operating Employment Ontario-funded programs across multiple GTA/Hamilton locations, with a similar service mix of career counselling, employer partnerships, and specialized programs.
- Centre for Education & Training (TCET): Ontario-based employment and training services provider delivering EO-funded career counselling, apprenticeship supports, and employer services — comparable in funding model, geography (GTA/Hamilton), and target segments.
- WoodGreen Community Services: Toronto nonprofit delivering employment, settlement, and wraparound community services including EO-funded employment programming — competes with VPI for newcomer and low-barrier jobseeker clients in the GTA.
- Catholic Crosscultural Services (CCS): Ontario nonprofit delivering settlement and employment services to newcomers and immigrants under government contracts — directly comparable service mix and target segments as VPI's newcomer programs.
- March of Dimes Canada — Employment Services: Canadian nonprofit delivering vocational assessments, employment supports, and disability-focused employment programming — directly comparable to VPI's Vocational & Assessments service line and Persons with Disabilities segment.
Broad incumbents
- YMCA of Greater Toronto — Employment Services: Broader community-services incumbent operating Employment Ontario-funded employment programs as part of a much larger YMCA portfolio — comparable service delivery model but with significantly broader funding base and brand recognition.
Others
- Findhelp Information Services (211 Central): Ontario information and referral service connecting residents to community, social, and employment supports — an ecosystem participant that overlaps with VPI's community referral model and partner ecosystem rather than directly delivering employment services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
VPI Working Solutions social profiles
Digital presenceVPI Working Solutions compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
VPI Working Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VPI Working Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
VPI Working Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VPI Working Solutions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about VPI Working Solutions
What does VPI Working Solutions do?
VPI Employment Services is a designated Employment Ontario service provider that delivers free, personalized employment counselling, vocational assessments, and wraparound career support to job seekers across Southern Ontario. Services are delivered through 11 physical offices and a SmartSimple-powered online job board, supplemented by a calendar of recurring workshops (resume writing, interview prep, LinkedIn, customer service, accessibility), specialized programs (Better Jobs Ontario, OEEEP equine training, SYBE youth program), and employer/community partner referral pipelines.
Is VPI Working Solutions a public or private company?
VPI Working Solutions is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was VPI Working Solutions founded?
VPI Working Solutions was founded in 1988. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is VPI Working Solutions based?
VPI Working Solutions is headquartered in Mississauga, Canada, in the North America region.
How does VPI Working Solutions make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Employment Ontario Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are employer Partnerships & Hiring Support.
Who are VPI Working Solutions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are JVS Toronto, ACCES Employment, COSTI Immigrant Services, The Career Foundation, Centre for Education & Training (TCET), WoodGreen Community Services, Catholic Crosscultural Services (CCS) and March of Dimes Canada — Employment Services. YMCA of Greater Toronto — Employment Services is listed as a broad incumbent. Findhelp Information Services (211 Central) is listed as an others.
Does VPI Working Solutions have an API?
No public API is recorded for VPI Working Solutions.
What industry is VPI Working Solutions in?
VPI Working Solutions's product category is Employment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAJ, Employment & Job Readiness Support Services, with a secondary code of EDAKANAE, Supported Employment & Job Coaching. Its NAICS code is 6243 and its SIC code is 8200.