The Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie conducts labour market research and planning to support workforce development in the communities of Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Six Nations and New Credit. This work helps local employers, educational institutions; employment and community partners build the skilled workforce needed for economic prosperity.

What is Local Labour Market Information?

It is research and data about the job market, workforce trends and the economy in Grand Erie.

Why is it important?

Having timely, fact-based data about local trends allows the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie to identify labour force issues and challenges in our community.

What is the process?

The Employment Planning Advisory Committee (EPAC) is formed from representatives across the region from each municipality including members from business, education, Employment Ontario Network, municipal staff, government representatives and media.

Each year, EPAC carries out the research and consultation process that helps identify the multiple challenges affecting both employers and job seekers including: 

• Prioritizing the top 3 – 5 issues affecting our communities’ workforce and economy
• Identifying research and information gaps
• Developing 3-4 workforce development activities that can be moved forward during 2020- 2021
• Determining key performance indicators to measure effectiveness
• Helping distribute and communicate the plan to our communities

Additionally, in 2020-2021 the Grand Erie COVID-19 Recovery Task Force – a sub-committee of EPAC –  has been assembled to identify various Grand Erie economic recovery scenarios and develop strategies to respond efficiently and effectively to the impacts of the pandemic.

EPAC met this week to discuss the Local Labour Market Plan for Grand Erie in 2021. Working groups from the committee recently held a series of community consultations and established priorities for 4 key areas – Skills Development, Education, Business Supports and Economic Development. 

Priorities for Education: 

• Enhance student education around career pathways
• Find new ways of engaging/involving parents/families about education and career pathways as early as primary grades.
• Broaden the scope of experiential learning
• Increase integration of digital skills training and technology into core courses
• Strengthen connectivity between career counsellors and industry professionals

Priorities for Skills Development: 

• Increase digital/technical skills development
• Design and deliver Human Resources training for employers
• Develop transferable skills training curriculum
• Support soft-skills training within the workplace
• Align labour market information (LMI) with skills training focuses

Priorities for Business Supports: 

• Advocate for forgivable loans and grant programs
• Identify business needs in key sectors
• Increase promotion of skills training programs
• Advocate for affordable and attainable housing
• Share insightful labour market data

Priorities for Economic Development: 

• Advocate for adjustment of legislation to allow employers more flexibility
• Increase financial support for new cleaning protocols
• Support industry network development
• Design digital inclusion supports for residents & employers with limited internet access
• Develop a consistent “one-stop shop” for information and resources

To learn more or to contribute your input, contact us.

Hundreds of area residents took part in the Grand Erie Job Fair & Skills Exploration Event, held entirely online Oct. 6.

People who attended the online job fair were able to meet and chat with 45 different exhibitors, the majority of whom were employers. Attendees learned about their businesses, job openings and skill requirements. In many cases, participants could submit resumes or apply for jobs. Several post-secondary schools and trades associations were also on hand to talk about their training and education programs.

The keynote speaker for the event was Mandy Rennehan, a Canadian success story known for promoting the trades as just as good as white-collar careers. Jon Callegher of Job Talks spoke about the 5 Secrets of the Trades, including that people who work in the trades are happier and have a high level of job satisfaction. Not to mention great wages and other pluses.

There were also panel discussions featuring local business owners, tradespeople and educators: one on the building/construction trades, a business panel, and another on Skills for Agriculture.

The job fair was aimed at residents from the communities of Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Six Nations and New Credit. They could access the event on their computers, tablets and smartphones.

The day-long online event took place on vFairs, a virtual event platform that uses advanced 3D technology to create a live event experience complete with exhibitor booths in a hall and an auditorium. 

The event’s goal was to connect job seekers and people considering new careers with employers, as well as promote the message that there are tremendous opportunities to work in a variety of trades, especially since the Grand Erie region and Canada have a skilled trades shortage.

Videos of the webinars are on YouTube.

Construction/Building Trades Video

Business Panel Video

Skills for Agriculture Video

The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns shocked businesses and the workforce across the Grand Erie area in an unprecedented manner starting in March 2020.

In the following months, as businesses began to contemplate, prepare, and execute plans to reopen, community organizations looked to identify interventions required to address the needs of the labour market in the immediate future.

The results of a survey of businesses paints a picture of the challenges and opportunities facing employers as they navigate the road to recovery from COVID-19.

Read Road to Recovery: COVID-19 Business Insights Survey.

The Grand Erie COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, created by the Workforce Planning Board recognized the need for evidence-based decision making and strong actions driven by and for the community. The group examined the needs of businesses within the communities of Six Nations, New Credit, City of Brantford, and Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk counties.

Survey questions were developed to assess the impact of the pandemic on local employers and evaluate the demand for various strategies and solutions to address their emerging needs.

The survey was conducted online between July 6, 2020 to Aug. 14, 2020 and engaged 195 businesses across various sectors within the Grand Erie region.

This report dives into the results of the survey, revealing critical shifts in the business landscape and noting differences by sector and business size. Key findings include:

·       Significant decrease in demand for goods and services among one-third of businesses

·       Wide-spread concerns about access to PPE in the short and medium term

·       High levels of interest in skills training to support recent shifts in skills-in-demand

·       Challenges with hiring in the current atmosphere

The findings of this survey are intended to provide residents, businesses, and government leaders across Grand Erie with the knowledge they need to make informed action plans as we travel on the road to recovery.