Workplace Education Manitoba

What Workplace Education Manitoba does

Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM) is a Winnipeg-based non-profit organization founded in 1991 that delivers Essential Skills and workplace education programs across Manitoba. The organization operates through three sub-brands: Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM) for workplace-focused training, Essential Skills Manitoba (ESM) for unemployed individuals, and Workplace Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (WPLAR) for credentialing prior learning. Its core curriculum is built on the Skills for Success framework, covering nine competencies (Reading, Writing, Numeracy, Digital Skills, Problem Solving, Communication, Creativity and Innovation, Collaboration, and Adaptability), delivered through proprietary assessment tools including the Snapshot Skills Check, GROW workshop, Post-Secondary Readiness Assessment, and Valid 8 E-Portfolio.

The organization distributes training through 10 physical WEM Centres covering every region of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, Selkirk, Winkler, Dauphin, Swan River, The Pas, Thompson, Flin Flon), supplemented by virtual online classrooms and onsite workplace delivery. It serves six primary customer segments: unemployed and employed individuals, trades and apprenticeship candidates (in partnership with Apprenticeship Manitoba), workplace partners (SMBs), labour unions (Ironworkers, IBEW), and Indigenous communities, with a dedicated Director of Operations for the Northern Region coordinating Indigenous-facing programs.

WEM's revenue model is anchored by provincial core funding from the Province of Manitoba and multi-year federal grants, most recently the Government of Canada's Workplace Connections project under the Adult, Learning, Literacy and Essentials Skills Program. Free provincially funded programs are offered to Manitoba workplaces, while fee-for-service training is available to out-of-province clients and organizations seeking customized solutions. Governance is structurally tied to the Manitoba Federation of Labour, which appoints 50% of the Board of Directors.

Name

Workplace Education Manitoba

Legal name

WORKPLACE EDUCATION MANITOBA

Website

https://wem.mb.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Workplace Education Manitoba is a Winnipeg-based non-profit (founded 1991) delivering Essential Skills and workplace training across Manitoba through 10 regional Centres, serving unemployed and employed individuals, trades apprentices, employers, labour unions, and Indigenous communities via provincially and federally funded programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education and Workforce Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workplace & Employability Literacy (Forms, Policies, Communication) (EDAAAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adult Basic Education (ABE) & Foundational Skills Remediation (EDANAJAK), Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) & Equivalency Assessment Authorities (EDADAFAL), Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK), Productivity & Office Software Skills (EDAAAIAC)

Keywords

• Adult literacy training
• Essential skills education
• Workplace training programs
• Prior learning assessment
• Workforce skills development

Headquarters

HQ city

Winnipeg

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Provincial Government Funding: Funded by the Province of Manitoba to provide assessment and training responses. Some programs are provincially funded with no cost to Manitoba workplaces.
2. Federal Government Funding: Government of Canada has funded WEM for many years. Current funding from 2020 to 2024 is Workplace Connections project through Adult, Learning, Literacy and Essentials Skills Program.
3. Pay for Service Programs: Fee-for-service training programs for organizations outside of Manitoba or seeking specialized customized training solutions. WEM offers reasonably priced training programs for workplaces.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Workplace Education Manitoba provides customized Essential Skills assessment and training programs that help Manitobans develop foundational workplace competencies across nine areas: Reading, Writing, Numeracy, Digital Skills, Problem-solving, Communication, Creativity and Innovation, Collaboration, and Adaptability. Programs are delivered through in-person classes at 10 regional WEM Centres across Manitoba, virtual online classes, onsite workplace training, and dedicated services for trades/apprenticeship, Indigenous communities, and labour unions. The organization also offers Recognizing Prior Learning (RPL) assessments, the Valid 8 E-Portfolio digital tool, and specialized certificate programs for employed individuals.

Product overview

Workplace Education Manitoba operates as an integrated educational services organization comprising three main sub-brands: Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM) as the primary entity, Essential Skills Manitoba (ESM) focused on unemployed individuals, and WPLAR (Workplace Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition) for recognizing prior learning. The organization delivers skills training through multiple modalities including in-person classes at 10 WEM Centres across Manitoba, virtual/online classes, and workplace-based training. The core offering is the Skills for Success framework covering nine competencies (Reading, Writing, Numeracy, Digital Skills, Problem-solving, Communication, Creativity and Innovation, Collaboration, and Adaptability). Programs include Essential Skills Training, Skills for Success Classes (in-person and virtual), Computer Skills Classes, GROW and BOOST employment readiness programs, various workshops (Communicating in the Workplace, Speaking to the Skills I Have, Math Upskilling, Evening Upskilling), and assessment tools (Snapshot Assessment, Post Secondary Readiness Assessment, Skills Check). WPLAR provides additional services including the Valid 8 E-Portfolio tool and Igniting the Power Within certification for Indigenous communities. The organization also offers certificate programs for employed individuals including Transition to Leadership, Workplace Trainer, and Managing Diversity certificates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Skills for Success Classes (In-person) Face-to-face classroom training helping adults strengthen the nine essential skills (Reading, Writing, Numeracy, Digital Skills, Problem Solving, Communication, Creativity & Innovation, Collaboration, and Adaptability) needed for work and life. Delivered at WEM Centres across Manitoba for adults seeking foundational workplace competencies.
• Skills for Success Classes (Virtual) Online virtual classroom training delivering the same nine essential skills curriculum as in-person classes, accessible remotely for learners across Manitoba.
• Computer Skills Classes In-person computer classes helping adults develop essential digital skills, covering basics such as using the internet, sending emails, and digital best practices for work and daily life.
• Essential Skills Training Continuous intake program allowing individuals to begin upskilling on the next available Wednesday, covering core Essential Skills development for Manitobans.
• BOOST - Build Opportunities & Optimize Skills for Tomorrow A skills development program focused on building opportunities and optimizing skills for tomorrow. Prerequisite: completion of the GROW workshop is required for entry.
• GROW - Getting Ready for Work Workshop program preparing individuals for the workforce, helping them develop essential employment skills and readiness. Offered in-person.
• Snapshot Assessment A quick skills assessment tool used to measure current essential skill levels and provide recommendations for upgrading skills.
• Post Secondary Readiness Assessment Assessment tool measuring readiness for post-secondary education and technical training, helping individuals identify strengths and areas for development before entering programs.
• Skills Check Skills assessment session used to evaluate current essential skill levels and determine appropriate training pathways for participants.
• Communicating in the Workplace Workshop Workshop focused on developing communication skills in the workplace environment, available through online delivery for employed individuals.
• Valid 8 E-Portfolio Digital portfolio tool that helps managers and assessors demonstrate staff or learner competencies through documented evidence of skills and knowledge.
• Igniting the Power Within A unique five-level certification series of workshops designed specifically for community advisors, counselors, and educators from Indigenous communities.
• Certificate Programs for Employed Individuals Suite of certificate programs including Essential Skills for Women at Work, Transition to Leadership, Essential Skills for Human Resources at Work, Change Readiness, Workplace Trainer, and Managing Diversity certificates — designed for working professionals seeking career advancement.
• Pay for Service Programs Fee-for-service training programs for organizations outside of Manitoba or seeking specialized customized training solutions. WEM offers reasonably priced customized training for workplaces needing Skills for Success support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Organizations experience increased employee retention and productivity, maximizing efficiency and building engagement
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Government of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Multi-year partnership to build capacity across Canada in customized workplace training. Funded by Government of Canada's Adult, Learning, Literacy and Essentials Skills Program. Focuses on Relational Skills cluster of Skills for Success framework including curriculum development, workplace engagement, delivery, and mentorship. Part of Pan-Canadian Workplace Connections project.
• Indigenous Communities and NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong history of collaboration through Skills for Success development. Working together in a good way to realize meaningful Truth and Reconciliation. Ensuring solutions are delivered inclusive of Indigenous culture in relevant and respectful manner.
• Labour Unions (Ironworkers, IBEW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with labour groups throughout the years providing tools and knowledge to support success in training. Board of Directors includes 50% labour representatives appointed by Manitoba Federation of Labour.
• Manitoba Federation of LabourcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppoints 50% of WEM's Board of Directors, contributing to organizational governance and strategic direction.
• Apprenticeship ManitobacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking with Apprenticeship Manitoba to assist referred apprentices prepare for entry into Level 1 technical training. Close to 20 years of partnership supporting apprentices.
• Workplace EmployerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 30 years supporting small and medium-sized businesses with Skills for Success solutions. Customized assessment, training plan, materials development, training delivery, and post-training evaluation.
• Non-Profit OrganizationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner category for programming delivery and referral pathways for individuals seeking employment and training support.
• Educational InstitutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner category for supporting continuing education programs and post-secondary readiness.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Sprott Shaw College: Canadian private vocational college offering trades preparation, adult upgrading, and workforce training across multiple provinces. Comparable as a Western Canadian vocational training provider, with more commercial structure than WEM.
• NorQuest College (Workforce & Continuing Education): Alberta public college with continuing education and workforce development divisions delivering adult literacy, essential skills, and workplace training. Comparable as a larger incumbent in essential skills delivery, primarily Alberta-focused.
• ProLiteracy: Large US-based adult literacy and essential-skills organization supporting a network of local programs. Comparable as a scaled adult literacy training body operating workforce programs comparable to WEM's mandate.

Direct peers

• Laubach Literacy Canada: Canadian affiliate of Laubach Literacy delivering adult literacy and essential-skills training through volunteer tutors and local programs. Comparable as a non-profit essential-skills provider serving adult learners across Canadian regions.
• Frontier College: National Canadian literacy and essential skills non-profit offering workplace and community-based training programs. Directly comparable to WEM in mission, federal funding sources, and adult essential-skills training delivery model across Canadian provinces.
• Goodwill Industries of Canada / local Goodwills: Non-profit network operating employment and skills training programs for unemployed and underemployed individuals. Comparable mission and customer segment (job seekers needing skills upgrading) though delivery and funding model differ.
• ABC Life Literacy Canada: Canadian non-profit focused on adult literacy and essential skills, operating workplace and community programs nationally. Closely comparable to WEM in employer-facing essential-skills delivery and federal funding dependency.

Emerging players

• Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA): National non-profit supporting apprenticeship and skilled trades in Canada, closely tied to Apprenticeship Manitoba-style partners. Comparable as an apprenticeship-readiness ecosystem player, with adjacent (rather than directly competing) training delivery.

Regional players

• Essential Skills Ontario (ESO): Ontario provincial essential skills network delivering similar workplace and adult training programs. Highly comparable service offering but operating in a different province (Ontario vs. Manitoba).
• Douglas College Continuing Education: BC public college offering continuing education, workforce development, and adult upgrading programming. Comparable continuing-education and workplace-skills mandate, primarily serving BC/Metro Vancouver.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/workplaceeducationmb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/workplace-education-manitoba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Workplace Education Manitoba