Bruce County has developed a Workforce Development and Attraction Strategy to address a number of issues the area is facing.
A County report says problems include a shrinking labour pool, youth leaving the area, a mismatch between needed skills and those currently available, as well as other issues specifically related to certain sectors.
The County strategy has a four-pronged approach: Data Collection, Attraction, Retention and Skills Building.
A media release from the County says, “Analysis during the strategy’s creation noted that the region’s available workforce decreased by 10.9 per cent from 2004 to 2016, and that approximately 22,000 people are nearing retirement in the next 5-10 years.”
Part of the strategy is to look at which organizations are collecting specific data about the area and fill in data gaps.
The strategy aims to then bridge those specific gaps in what employers need and what the workforce is offering by promoting the trades that are needed in the area to schools and at community events.
It will also focus on supporting succession planning as baby boomers retire. The County also wants to make sure there is a full understanding of immigration rules when it comes to attracting a workforce, and also make the best use of the federal Temporary Foreign Worker program.
Some groups the County will look at targeting are immigrants and newcomers and millennials who are interested in the ‘explorer’ lifestyle. It also aims to retain youth with things like co-op opportunities with local employers.
The County says it will keep up its Business To Bruce (helps attract and grow local businesses) and Explore the Bruce (tourism) Programs.
The plan also focuses on ensuring Bruce is a ‘Welcoming Community,’ which is characterized by a number of things including anti-racism and diversity in workplaces and in the greater community. This could include things like multi-cultural festivals, public awareness campaigns and settlement plans.