Calibre Recruitment Inc., co-founded by Fanshawe graduates Bonnie Macklin and Tracy Tolton in 2016, is a talent acquisition firm dedicated to connecting job seekers with employers. Specializing in the hospitality and manufacturing sectors, Calibre Recruitment focuses on job development, employer connections and workforce training.
Project Summary
Calibre Recruitment partnered with Fanshawe’s Corporate Training Solutions (CTS) to launch the “Bridging the Skills Gap” project—a training initiative aimed at connecting job seekers with non-violent criminal records to employers in the London region. The project combines skills training from Fanshawe and job readiness coaching from Calibre.
The Challenge
The London region faced a dual challenge: high-potential candidates with non-violent criminal records were being consistently overlooked by employers, while the hospitality and manufacturing sectors struggled to fill job openings. This gap left many qualified individuals unemployed, and businesses understaffed. Calibre Recruitment identified a need to advocate for these job seekers and encourage more inclusive hiring practices among local employers.
For many years we saw high potential candidates being overlooked because of a criminal record, while employers in those sectors were having issues filling openings...This program essentially bridges that gap.
The Solution
In response, Calibre Recruitment, supported by CTS, launched the “Bridging the Skills Gap.” Funded by the Skills Development Fund Training Stream, an Employment Ontario project supported by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, the program commenced in September 2022. Fanshawe provided credible skills training, while Calibre Recruitment focused on job readiness coaching, confidence building and preparing both job seekers and employers for successful placements. Bonnie Macklin and Tracy Tolton emphasized the importance of understanding the full context of an applicant's background and advocating for their potential. By partnering with CTS, they ensured the training was highly regarded by employers, making participants more attractive candidates. Several participants from the first training cohort have already secured full-time, meaningful positions, demonstrating the program's effectiveness.
Partnering with CTS ensures the training is seen as credible by employers. Having Fanshawe on an applicant’s resume carries a lot of weight.
Related Case Studies
Explore Our Services
Capstone Live Projects
R&D Services
Hire a Student
Workplace Training
