Content Partnerships Program

Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)’s Content Partnerships Program is designed to connect industry, post-secondary, and the workforce across Ontario to a central online learning platform with Ontario-made micro-credentials. The content developed through the Content Partnerships Program will be hosted on OVIN’s Upskilling Platform, which is currently in development, and will be a demonstration of what Ontario is capable of when it comes to automotive and mobility upskilling training. The Content Partnerships Program will support Ontario’s automotive and mobility talent to develop new and existing skills that align with the sector’s needs. OVIN’s Upskilling Platform will facilitate increased access to Ontario-based resources when access to learning environments is increasingly challenging. Content sourced through this program will focus on upskilling current experienced members of the automotive and mobility workforce and facilitate the promotion of Ontario’s ecosystem to the global market.   

The goals of OVIN’s Content Partnerships Program include:

• Bringing sector-specific educational programs online, with a focus on micro-credential opportunities designed to upskill the workforce, meet future skills-needs, and represent various segments of the sector.   
• Engaging industry to validate and support micro-credential development.  
• Providing a framework to navigate learning pathways through industry-approved credential and accreditation standards.  
• Developing a final report outlining the frameworks, gaps, and accreditation guidelines, to ensure training and upskilling learning outcomes or skillsets match industry requirements.   

OVIN invites interested and qualified applicants with demonstrated experience in sector-relevant content development to apply for up to $50,000 to develop one or more micro-credentials in response to the automotive and mobility industry skills and talent needs. A select number of applicants may be awarded up to $100,000 only if they intend to develop at least four (4) inter-connected micro-credentials, in both English and French, that create one or more learning pathways for users, going over and above the expectations outlined in this document. 

The Content Partnerships Programs aims to provide content that is relevant to the different segments of the automotive and mobility workforce in Ontario. Applicants must consider the diversity of members across the workforce to ensure that content on the Upskilling Platform addresses the unique needs of the sector:  

Under the Content Partnerships Program, selected institutions will provide digestible, short-term micro-credentials, related to upskilling experienced members of the automotive and mobility workforce, resulting in a digital badge, certificate, or other industry-recognized credential.  

• The curriculum must be developed in response to the automotive and mobility industry’s workforce needs.  
• Micro-credentials developed through this program must be vetted by industry therefore, applicants are asked to, at minimum, conduct a survey with their industry partner(s) to demonstrate that the content and the approach to content development is valid and impactful. Applicants must describe in detail other methods/approaches of validating the content with industry.  
• Programs must demonstrate commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, through:   
  • Considering different user accessibility needs  
  • Considering a variety of user learning styles  
  • The diversity of backgrounds and expertise of those developing the content 
• Applicants are encouraged to conduct an environmental scan to demonstrate their understanding of the ecosystem and identify potential partners.    
• Micro-credentials delivered through this program must directly provide learners with knowledge, skills, training, and engagement opportunities that reflect the needs of the rapidly evolving automotive and mobility sector. Applicants must leverage OVIN’s Talent Strategy & Roadmap and Labour Market Data to help inform micro-credential design, and learn more about which skills would allow learners to succeed in future careers in the sector   
• Proposals must ensure that the micro-credential being developed will have an impact on Ontario’s automotive and mobility workforce, demonstrate the industry need, leverage research and data, and outline the number of employees who will require upskilling in the specific subject-matter being proposed.  

Program Content Guidelines 

Content within the Content Partnerships Program must be based on a demonstrated industry-need to upskill experienced members of the automotive and mobility workforce in Ontario that is: 

• Relevant to specific skills and competencies  
• Based on existing education or work experience 
• Measurable against reported skills gaps 

Subject-matter developed under this initiative must align with one or more of the three streams below:  

Content under all streams must be developed with the following key components: 

• Content design, development, and submission  
• Content delivery and administration  
• Intellectual Property (IP) and Content Licensing considerations  
• Recognition of completed course that is aligned with industry standards 
• Content Monitoring and Evaluation  
• Proposal Questions

Eligible Applicants 

The following applicants are eligible to apply: 

• 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 

Matching Contribution 

OVIN requires applicants to develop a dedicated industry advisory committee (or engage an existing industry advisory committee) to work collaboratively with industry partners in the region, ensuring the input from industry is present throughout the development of the micro-credential(s).  

Partnerships Requirements  

Working with an industry partner is required under the Content Partnerships Program to ensure that there is effective validation from industry throughout the development of micro-credential(s).  

• All partners must be Ontario–based. 
• Industry partners must be automotive and mobility industry members, including Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Tier 1 suppliers, and relevant industry associations.  
• Industry Partners are expected to validate the content being developed under the micro-credentials by the applicant and ensure that it is in response to an industry skills/talent need. 
• OVIN requires applicants to develop a dedicated industry advisory committee (or engage an existing industry advisory committee) to work collaboratively with industry partners in the region, ensuring the input from industry is present throughout the development of the micro-credential(s).  
• Industry partners must provide letters of support outlining a commitment for the number of users who will register for the Upskilling Platform once it has launched. 

 
*Please note that program funds will only be released to successful applicants, and not to their partners.  

The Content Partnerships Program employs a one-stage application process. The full application package must include your application proposal and any other supporting documents.  

Please complete and submit your proposal by February 15th, 2024 

For more details about this program, please see the Program Guidelines.  

Other resources:

• Eligible Expenses
• Key Components
• Funding Agreement Licensed IP
• Funding Agreement Owned IP

Information Sessions

Upcoming sessions:

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about the process, please contact Alèque Juneau, Workforce Development Project Lead.