WPBGE, Author at Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie

Epic Jobs 2025 careers day a big success

by WPBGE | May 28, 2025 | Press Release, Workforce Planning Board Of Grand Erie News

Epic Jobs 2025 saw 2,500 students learn about skilled trades and other occupations on May 22.

The event, held for the sixth year, took place at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, half inside on a rink floor and half outside in the parking lot, where a steady rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of students.

Outside, Grade 7 and 8 students could try their hand at several trades, including welding and plumbing, or help dismantle a car. They could clamber in and out of a variety of heavy equipment from a locally made forestry machine to a crane, backhoe, ambulance, and transport, hydro, public works and fire trucks.

Inside, students could use a welding simulator, mount tires, race through a police obstacle course, try out virtual reality goggles, have their hair braided, and more.

“Each year it is amazing to see the eyes of students light up at Epic Jobs as they get to be hands on and talk to people who work in different careers,” said Danette Dalton, executive director of the Workforce Planning Board, the main organizer of Epic Jobs 2025.

“For most students this is the first time they will get to touch, experience and learn about opportunities in the skilled trades, apprenticeships and other exciting careers.”

Students from across region

Students were bused in from schools from across Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Six Nations and Mississaugas of the Credit. The majority of students were from the Grand Erie District School Board and Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, but schools from Indigenous communities and private schools also participated.

More than 40 companies, trade unions, colleges, training firms and community organizations participated in Epic Jobs 2025. They were encouraged to make their stations as interactive and hands-on as possible as a way to engage students.

Organizing partners were: Grand Erie District School Board, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) operated by the school boards, Organized Kaos, Skilled Trade Alliance of Grand Erie, and the planning board.

Major sponsors were: Stelco, LiUNA Local 837, Ontario Power Generation, Grand Renewable Wind, Simply Electric and United Rentals.

Sponsors spoke about their reasons for supporting Epic Jobs 2025

“EPIC Jobs provides distinguished and unparalleled opportunities for students to interact with equipment, tools, safety gear and industry experts, while acquiring valuable insights into careers in trades, utilities, and manufacturing.”
– Erica Chow, Human Resources, Stelco

“LiUNA proudly supports career exploration events because we believe in empowering the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to build strong, rewarding futures in the skilled trades.”
– Nick Ciccone, Executive Board Member and Training Director, LiUNA! Local 837

“We’re passionate about introducing people to our industry. The wind, green power, and renewable energy sectors are rapidly expanding, creating valuable career opportunities in our area. By showcasing the diverse paths available, we have a real chance to inspire younger generations to explore educational opportunities that align with these growing fields.”
– Phillip Legroulx, Facility Manager, Grand Renewable Wind

“Educating our children towards a solid career path now will pave the way for a better future. The Epic Jobs experience allows children to explore that future.”
– Larry Fitzpatrick, Owner, Simply Electric

“Ontario Power Generation is proud to continue supporting Epic Jobs as it opens doors for the next generation of skilled trades professionals,” said Nicole Fabbro, Vice President, Niagara Operations, Ontario Power Generation. “This event gives students a hands-on look at meaningful, in-demand careers that not only power our province but also strengthen communities across southwestern Ontario.”
– Nicole Fabbro, Vice President, Niagara Operations, Ontario Power Generation

“United Rentals is excited to assist in sponsoring this year’s Epic Jobs Annual Career Exploration Day in association with the Workplace Planning Board of Grand Erie. Career opportunities in the trades are important to promote at all levels of our community, and United Rentals is committed to providing support and additional training at every skill level.”
– United Rentals

April saw two key job figures increase

by WPBGE | May 13, 2025 | Press Release, Workforce Planning Board Of Grand Erie News

April 2025 job numbers showed that Brantford-Brant’s employment and unemployment rates both increased, as hundreds of more people entered the labour market.

Statistics Canada estimates that about 900 more people joined the local labour force last month, with 500 finding employment.

As a result, April’s local jobless rate climbed to 6.5 per cent, up from March’s 6.1 per cent, while the employment rate rose slightly to 60.6 per cent, according to seasonally adjusted figures from the government agency.

Canada’s labour market saw very modest employment growth (7,400 more jobs), but the jobless rate climbed by 0.2 percentage points to 6.9 per cent. Ontario shed 35,000 jobs – almost all in manufacturing – and the provincial unemployment rate increased to 7.8 per cent.

Manufacturing sector stable so far

Unlike Ontario as a whole, Brantford-Brant did not see much change in employment in its key manufacturing sector, which employs about 14,000 people.

“So far, we’ve been fortunate and have not seen much impact on local employment levels by the U.S. tariffs, even when it comes to manufacturing jobs,” said Danette Dalton, executive director of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie.

“All eyes continue to be on the tariff war and we continue to monitor the situation closely. We are all hoping that impacts will be minimal and short lived, but right now it’s a wait and see situation.”

Dalton said the increased number of people working in April brought total employment up to where it was in December-January, while the number of unemployed residents was on par with what it was last October – before tariffs in both cases.

The planning board says postings displayed on its Grand Erie Jobs online job board has been increasing for several months, even with the tariff uncertainty.

New job posts for the Grand Erie region were up 16 per cent in April, reaching 2,250, as almost 1,200 businesses posted openings online. The Top-5 postings were for retail salesperson, home support worker, food counter attendants, cooks and registered nurses.

Visit Statistics Canada’s website to read their news release on the April 2025 employment numbers for Canada and Ontario.

March sees higher local jobless rates

by WPBGE | Apr 8, 2025 | Press Release, Workforce Planning Board Of Grand Erie News

March 2025 employment numbers for Brantford-Brant showed that more residents were out-of-work last month.

About 800 more people were unemployed last month in Brantford-Brant, raising the local jobless rate to 6.1 per cent, up from February’s 5.3 per cent, according to seasonally adjusted estimates from Statistics Canada, which surveyed residents in the first half of March.

Norfolk’s unemployment rate also climbed in March, reaching 6.4 per cent, according to figures that are not seasonally adjusted.

Employment fell by 33,000 in Canada in March, causing the national unemployment rate to increase to 6.7 per cent. Ontario saw a 28,000 drop in employment and the provincial jobless rate climbed to 7.5 per cent.

“In Brantford, 5,500 people were estimated to be unemployed in March, but that is still below the numbers from last fall, so we can’t necessarily point the finger at tariffs,” said Danette Dalton, the Workforce Planning Board’s executive director.

“Statistics Canada is reporting that the largest number of job losses in Canada last month was in retail and wholesale trade, but there wasn’t a dramatic change here.”

Jobs tied to auto industry

Dalton said that while there wasn’t a U.S. tariff slapped on all Canadian-made products, tariffs on steel and automobiles will impact manufacturers and people who work in those industries. A car maker in Windsor has already announced a 2-week shutdown.

“We’re home to a major steelmaker, Stelco in Nanticoke, and other steel-related companies,” she said. “Hundreds of our residents commute to jobs at Toyota plants in Cambridge and Woodstock, CAMI in Ingersoll and Ford in Oakville. And Grand Erie is home to auto parts manufacturers that employ several thousand people.”

Companies impacted by tariffs are encouraged to keep in touch with the planning board, municipal economic development departments, chambers of commerce and industry associations, Dalton said.

“Sharing information and talking about how to soften the blow of tariffs on businesses and workers is crucial. Tariffs are a community-wide issue, a human issue, not just a business issue.”

Visit Statistics Canada’s website to read their news release on the March 2025 employment numbers for Canada and Ontario.

Brantford area job stats little changed

by WPBGE | Mar 7, 2025 | Press Release, Workforce Planning Board Of Grand Erie News

February 2025 employment numbers for Brantford-Brant saw little change, but the unemployment rate still climbed slightly.

The local jobless rate was estimated to be 5.3% in February, up from January’s 5%, according to seasonally adjusted figures based on a Statistics Canada survey of households, which was conducted Feb. 9 to 15.

Nation-wide job numbers were virtually unchanged last month and Canada’s unemployment rate remained at 6.6%. Meanwhile, Ontario’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.3%, due mainly to fewer people looking for work.

February 2025 figures show that the Brantford area continues to have the lowest unemployment rate among nearby communities such as Hamilton, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, St. Catharines-Niagara and London. However, Brantford’s employment rate – the proportion of the population aged 15+ who are working – is middle of the pack.

“The fact that employment was little changed locally, regionally and across Canada can be read as a sign that many employers pressed pause last month in the face of U.S. tariffs,” said Danette Dalton, the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie’s executive director. “Businesses are in a wait-and-see mode, neither adding nor reducing staffing.”

Impact of U.S. tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on Canadian goods would start February 4, but on February 3 paused them, saying they would start March 4. Since then, the U.S. has announced that Canadian steel and aluminum will face tariffs starting next week, while tariffs on some other goods would be paused until April.

“There’s a lot of confusion and uncertainty right now, especially with U.S. announcements changing almost daily, so it is understandable if businesses have put things on hold,” Dalton said.

Dalton said the planning board will monitor impacts on the area’s labour market and will work with governments, business groups and community services to support businesses and workers.

Even with all the uncertainty, local employers have still been posting job openings, though it isn’t clear if people have been hired to fill those openings, she said.

The planning board’s Grand Erie Jobs platform saw 1,600 new job postings in February, and the number of businesses with postings reached 1,000. Grand Erie Jobs displays postings from major online job boards.

Visit Statistics Canada’s website to read their news release on the February 2025 employment numbers for Canada and Ontario.

New2Norfolk website will help newcomers

by WPBGE | Feb 12, 2025 | Press Release, Workforce Planning Board Of Grand Erie News

Norfolk County has launched a new website called New2Norfolk to welcome newcomers and to ease their transition to living and working in the community.

New2Norfolk.ca is a one-stop, online information guide for newcomers that lists more than 100 resources, including those based in Norfolk, the Grand Erie area, and ones that serve Ontario and Canada.

The website is designed to help all types of newcomers: those coming from other countries, refugees, seasonal agricultural workers, foreign workers, international students, and individuals relocating to Norfolk from neighbouring communities or other parts of Canada.

“Norfolk County has warmly welcomed newcomers from around the world for generations, and the New2Norfolk website will help us to continue that proud tradition,” said Norfolk Deputy Mayor Doug Brunton. “We know that, just as in the past, newcomers can enrich life in our vibrant community in many, many ways.”

Economic development strategy

New2Norfolk was launched by Norfolk County Economic Development in partnership with Workforce Synergy, part of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie.

“Newcomers play a crucial role in starting businesses, filling in-demand jobs and contributing to our community’s economic development,” said John Regan, Director, Economic Development.

“New2Norfolk is one of the priority actions from the Council-approved Economic Development Strategy and is an important tool to help us attract and retain newcomers, whether those newcomers are moving here from overseas or from across the province “

In the past decade, hundreds of newcomers and refugees have settled in Norfolk, including Ukrainian, Syrian, and Afghan families sponsored by local households, groups, and churches. Norfolk is also home to thousands of Low German Mennonites. County farms employ about 6,000 seasonal agricultural workers, and international students attend Fanshawe College.

Guidance on everyday tasks

The site provides information on services that newcomer groups can access to help them settle in the County, find employment, start businesses, stay healthy, learn English, and navigate daily life in Norfolk. Visitors will find links to a wide range of topics, from local employment services to housing, transit, libraries, banking, shopping, ESL classes, recreation, obtaining a health card and driver’s licence, acquiring Canadian citizenship, and much more.

“New2Norfolk is designed to cover a lot of information and can be easily updated to meet evolving needs,” said Danette Dalton of the Workforce Planning Board.

“It provides clear guidance on everyday tasks, such as obtaining a driver’s licence or setting up a bank account, which can be challenging for newcomers. Fortunately, Norfolk has a lot of very helpful community services and volunteers that can connect newcomers to the services they need.”

Visit New2Norfolk.ca to explore the resources available.

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