Policy and Program Evaluation

By shedding light on the effectiveness of policies and programs they are managing, Prism provides clients with the analysis they need to confidently evaluate and review programs and policies related to labour markets, housing, workers compensation and workplace health and safety, industrial sectors, trade unions, and post-secondary education. 

Additionally, Prism has conducted numerous studies into issues impacting apprenticeship and training such as the impact of specialization, and studies on apprenticeship completions. Further, Prism’s research has supported various individual skilled trades (e.g. Masonry, Sheet Metal Workers, Carpenters) on the development of training centers and the review and addition of new skills and technologies to programs.

Housing Data Analysis

Ontario Ministry of Finance

Conducted for the Ministry of Finance, Personal Tax Policy and Design Branch, the objectives of the assignment were to ascertain the availability of data on social housing from Local Service Managers, to compile these data, and to normalize the data for incorporation into master databases.  This assignment demonstrates Prism’s experience in housing policy on a provincial level and social housing for various disadvantaged populations. This assignment shows Prism’s ability to examine large scale data sets and build databases for use by economists to meet the needs of the Ministry of Finance for policy analysis.

Delivery of Health and
Safety Training

Ontario Ministry of Labour

Commissioned by the Prevention Office at the Ontario Ministry of Labour, this report used survey research to estimate the actual use of occupational health and safety resources by employers in all industries and size categories and by workers.  The report found that large employers were generally well served by Ontario’s occupational health and safety system. However, small and medium-sized employers were significantly less aware of occupational health and safety resources and also significantly under-utilized those resources in comparison with larger employers.  The report recommended a number of changes, including changes to the way that provincially-mandated health and safety associations are funded, more partnerships with industry associations, union training centres, colleges and other not-for-profit organizations, and the provision of a no-cost, basic suite of services to all employers.

Future Industry Training Needs as Part of the Low Carbon Building Skills Strategy

Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges
and Universities

The role of buildings as sources of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions has increased both absolutely and relatively.  A significant reduction of GHG emissions both in newly constructed buildings and also in the existing stock of buildings is integral to combatting climate change by reducing overall GHG emissions. 

The transition to low carbon buildings will have both employment and skill impacts. This report offers both a quantitative estimate of the impact on employment of shifting to low carbon building strategies and also a qualitative assessment of how the skill needs in different trades will be affected.  The report is based a series of case studies (prepared by KPMB Architects), interviews and engagement sessions with informed stakeholders and a literature review.