OVIN — Content Partnerships Program
ON, Canada
The OVIN Content Partnerships Program funds Ontario-based institutions up to $50,000 to develop micro-credentials for the automotive and mobility workforce.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateFebruary 15, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Educational services
grant_single|grantors
- Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)’s Content Partnerships Program aims to develop and deliver Ontario-made micro-credentials for the automotive and mobility workforce, hosted on OVIN’s Uptooling Platform. Eligible applicants, including Ontario-based post-secondary institutions and non-profits, can apply for up to $50,000, or up to $100,000 for projects creating at least four interconnected micro-credentials, to support sector-specific upskilling through validated content reflecting industry needs.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, several project activities are eligible for this grant, focusing on micro-credential development for the automotive and mobility workforce in Ontario.
- Design and development of new sector-specific micro-credentials, with an emphasis on electrification
- Modification of existing automotive and mobility-related content into micro-credentials
- Creation of content to support new online learners
- Industry consultation and validation of content
- Development of bilingual curriculum and course materials
- Implementation of competency-based approach for skills mastery
- Include various types of content pieces (interactive, practical elements, community discussion board)
- Detailed content logistics and administration planning
- Establishing plans for regular maintenance and support assessments of course content
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$100,000
Hamilton
Developing four micro-credentials focused on electric vehicle maintenance at Mohawk College
$100,000
Toronto
Creating competency-based micro-credentials for autonomous vehicle software at Ryerson University
$95,000
Toronto
Modification of existing automotive technology courses into micro-credentials at Seneca College
$100,000
Toronto
Establishing four micro-credentials on sustainable automotive practices at Centennial College
$50,000
Kitchener
Development of an online course for electric vehicle design at Conestoga College
$90,000
Windsor
Creating a bilingual curriculum for advanced automotive cybersecurity at University of Windsor
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for this grant include accredited post-secondary institutions, other accredited institutions creating sector-relevant micro-credentials, and Ontario-based non-profit organizations conducting education programs for the automotive and mobility workforce.
- Accredited Ontario-based post-secondary education institutions
- Other accredited institutions creating micro-credentials or other courses
- Ontario-based non-profit organizations that run sector-relevant education programs for the automotive and mobility workforce in Ontario
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the grant include specific types of organizations that are focused on sector-relevant education programs for the automotive and mobility workforce in Ontario. These organizations must meet certain criteria to be considered for funding.
- Accredited Ontario-based post-secondary education institutions
- Other accredited institutions creating micro-credentials or other courses
- Ontario-based non-profit organizations that run sector-relevant education programs for the automotive and mobility workforce in Ontario
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant include costs and activities directly related to achieving the objectives of the grant. Expenses must be actual costs directly attributable to and necessary for the completion of the project.
- Salaries and benefits for program support staff and instructors, not exceeding $5,000 per month
- Professional services such as consultant fees and accounting services
- Licenses and permits
- Cost of research or technical studies directly related to the project
- Project-related computer hardware and software
- Cost of usage/lease of equipment directly related to the project
- Costs of direct materials necessary for the completion of the project
- Travel expenses explicitly project-related (e.g., subway tickets, bus trips)
- Marketing costs attributed to the project
- Project-related training and development costs for staff
- Costs related to the use of premises including rent, lease, and utilities
- Costs of moving or upgrading project-related equipment
- Materials used for prototypes and testing production processes
- Replacement costs for faculty release (for colleges) not exceeding $9,000 per course load reduction, per semester
- Costs of part-time faculty hired to support the program not exceeding $9,000 per semester
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant are those based in Ontario, Canada. All partners and applications must be Ontario-based.
- Ontario-based
- All partners must be Ontario-based
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for the OVIN Content Partnerships Program consider various factors to ensure the proposed micro-credentials effectively address industry needs and promote equitable access to learning opportunities for the automotive and mobility workforce in Ontario.
- Demonstrated industry need for the proposed micro-credential.
- Consultation and validation with industry partners, including letters of support.
- Creativity and relevance of content design and focus.
- Incorporation of equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations.
- Quality and clarity of content logistics and administration plan.
- Sustainability and plan for updating content over time.
- Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan to measure program impact and outcomes.
- Adherence to intellectual property and content licensing requirements.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Complete the intake form to determine if the program is a fit for your business.
- Step 2: Develop a proposal that includes a high-level syllabus, course outline, and addressing if the content focuses on technical or non-technical programming.
- Step 3: Describe in detail your plan to engage and consult with an industry advisory committee for content validation.
- Step 4: Submit industry survey elements with your proposal, including survey questions, target audience, target completion number, and the proposed outcome of survey results.
- Step 5: Outline a logistics plan for the development and implementation of the program, including staffing requirements, prerequisites, learning outcomes, and evaluation criteria.
- Step 6: Provide policies and procedures related to Intellectual Property (IP) ownership and licensing requirements.
- Step 7: Develop a plan for monitoring and evaluating the program's impact and outcomes, including a strategy for data collection.
- Step 8: Submit the full application package, including the proposal and any supporting documents, by the deadline of February 15th, 2024.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Miscellaneous information about the grant includes a variety of details ranging from eligible expenditures to monitoring and evaluation requirements.
- Costs directly attributable to the construction and necessary for the project completion are eligible.
- Salaries and statutory benefits for program support staff not exceeding $5,000 per month are eligible.
- Salaries must be claimed proportionally to the amount of time spent on project activities.
- Travel expenses must represent the most economical option and be project-related.
- Professional services such as consultant fees, audit, and insurance that assist in achieving the objectives are eligible.
- Costs not directly associated with meeting deliverables, such as ongoing production costs and personal expenses, are ineligible.
- Stream One focuses on Electrification and requires skills related to battery and charging technologies among others.
- Stream Two involves modifying existing automotive and mobility-related content for micro-credentials.
- Stream Three supports topics to set up members for success in online learning environments.
- Recommendations for course content updates should ensure relevance and implementation flexibility.
- Intellectual Property (IP) developed under the program will be owned by Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) or licensed to OCI.
- Program outcomes must include data collection strategies and measure satisfaction, mastery of skills, and industry engagement.
Apply to this program
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Content Partnerships Program
The OVIN Content Partnerships Program aims to connect Ontario's automotive and mobility sectors with educational institutions and industry stakeholders to develop and deliver micro-credentials that address current and future skills needs. With funding opportunities of up to $50,000 and up to $100,000 for select projects, the program supports the creation of online learning content that meets industry standards and enhances the workforce's competencies.
Introduction to the OVIN Content Partnerships Program
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network's (OVIN) Content Partnerships Program is a forward-thinking initiative aimed at bolstering the automotive and mobility sectors in Ontario. Focused on enhancing workforce skills through the development of industry-specific micro-credentials, the program seeks to create a dynamic online learning platform that will serve as a central hub for training and development. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of upskilling Ontario’s automotive and mobility workforce to meet evolving industry demands.
Objectives of the Program
The primary goals of the OVIN Content Partnerships Program include:
- Bringing sector-specific educational programs online with a strong emphasis on micro-credential opportunities designed to upskill the workforce, addressing both current and future skill requirements.
- Engaging industry stakeholders in the validation and support of micro-credential development to ensure content relevance and impact.
- Providing a framework for navigating learning pathways through industry-approved credential and accreditation standards.
- Developing a comprehensive report outlining frameworks, gaps, and accreditation guidelines to ensure training outcomes align with industry needs.
Funding Opportunities
To encourage diverse participation, OVIN offers two funding tiers:
- Up to $50,000 for developing one or more micro-credentials.
- Up to $100,000 for select applicants who develop at least four interconnected micro-credentials in both English and French, creating comprehensive learning pathways.
Applicants must demonstrate significant experience in content development relevant to the automotive and mobility sectors and must consider the diverse needs of the workforce, from entry-level to executive management, across various industry segments.
Program Details and Requirements
Micro-credentials developed under this program should be digestible, short-term courses resulting in digital badges, certificates, or other industry-recognized credentials. The curriculum must address the workforce needs of the automotive and mobility sectors and be validated by industry partners to ensure relevance and impact.
Applicants must highlight their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion by considering:
- Different user accessibility needs.
- Various user learning styles.
- Diverse backgrounds and expertise of those developing the content.
An environmental scan is also encouraged to understand the ecosystem and identify potential partners. Proposals must demonstrate the impact on Ontario’s automotive and mobility workforce, industry needs, and the number of employees requiring upskilling in the proposed subject areas using OVIN’s Talent Strategy & Roadmap and Labour Market Data.
Streams of Content Development
Content developed must align with one or more of the following streams:
- Stream One: Net-new content focused on Electrification.
- Stream Two: Modification of existing automotive and mobility content.
- Stream Three: Content to support new online learners, focusing on online learning readiness and advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Key Components of the Content Partnerships Program
Applicants must exercise creativity and ingenuity in several critical components of the program delivery:
Content Design, Development, and Submission
The design must include a high-level syllabus or course outline and outline whether it is technical or non-technical. It should specify the type of learner, sector segment, and provide innovative elements suited to the automotive and mobility workforce's unique learning needs.
Industry validation is crucial. Applicants need to establish an industry advisory committee to work collaboratively, ensuring the micro-credentials reflect the industry's needs.
Content Logistics and Administration
A detailed logistics plan must outline the targeted workforce sector, staffing requirements, user prerequisites, course learning outcomes, and evaluation criteria. Mechanisms for recognizing course completion and ensuring sustainability of the micro-credential content are essential.
Intellectual Property and Content Licensing
Typically, all courses and related materials developed under the program will be owned by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) or licensed to OCI under an irrevocable and perpetual license. The materials will abide by Creative Common's Attribution 4.0 International License and be available for free use.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Applicants must outline plans for monitoring and evaluating the program’s impact. This includes data collection strategies to track outcomes such as learner satisfaction, mastery of skills, industry engagement, and effective integration of equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations.
Eligibility and Application Process
Eligible entities include accredited Ontario-based post-secondary institutions, other accredited institutions, and Ontario-based non-profit organizations running sector-relevant education programs. Partnerships with Ontario-based automotive and mobility industry members are mandatory for content validation.
The application process is straightforward, requiring a full proposal submission that includes relevant documents. The deadline for submission is February 15th, 2024. Detailed program guidelines and an eligible expenditures guide are available to assist applicants.
Conclusion
The OVIN Content Partnerships Program represents an innovative approach to bridging the skills gap in Ontario’s automotive and mobility sectors. By leveraging localized expertise and ensuring industry relevance, the program aims to build a future-ready workforce equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in an increasingly digital and automated world. Successful applicants will not only contribute to individual career advancements but also bolster the overall growth and competitiveness of Ontario’s automotive and mobility industries.
