Healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.
We start 2021 with hope that this year will be brighter than the last.
But also with pride that we are in many ways stronger for what we’ve been through.
The pandemic has had a huge impact on people’s lives, livelihood, work and job market in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Six Nations and New Credit.
2020 was a difficult year for our businesses and the workforce, with disruptive changes, from people working fewer hours, more hours or from home, to layoffs and business closures.
Not to mention the increased risk and fear that has come with conducting our work. We recognize that every member of Grand Erie’s workforce, from front-line essential workers to those who lost work as a result of the pandemic, and everyone in between, struggled.
Some people are still coping with unemployment. Some businesses are still struggling to stay afloat.
But as difficult as 2020 was, our Grand Erie community has shown its resilience and a generosity to help each other. That’s something to be proud of.
The Workforce Planning Board’s vision of “A skilled, resilient workforce contributing to dynamic communities and their economies” has been apt.
Workers have adapted to do their jobs differently, from wearing masks to working online. Businesses have had to be flexible, creative and resourceful, doing things differently, more virtually.
Today, as we begin a new year with fresh hope, the Workforce Planning Board celebrates just a few of the area businesses and their workforces that demonstrated resiliency and generosity in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many other great examples out there. We’re telling the stories of five in our Workforce Heroes series:
- Apotex Pharmachem of Brantford
- Battlefield International of Haldimand County
- Brooks Signs of Brant County
- Hometown Brew of Norfolk County
- Six Nations Economic Development Corp. of Six Nations
