Workforce planning is definitely not at the top of everyone's priority list but it is always top of ours. Matching the available jobs of today and tomorrow with the workers of today and tomorrow is a real challenge. Changing technology, new economies, competition and leaner production are just a few examples of how a workforce can be impacted, and often over ever-shortening timeframes.

This year we have used a number of new statistical indicators to focus our attention directly on several key industries, some of which are in the Manufacturing Sector, where there appear to be employment challenges or opportunities.  At the Workforce Planning Board, we don't rely on a crystal ball. We go out and consult with industries in our community and so over January and early February, we plan to meet with companies in identified industries to determine if there is any possible local impact of these challenges/opportunities as well as to determine current and future skill requirements. These discussions will provide insight into what can be done to support industry retention and growth and ways to increase skill levels and mobility amongst workers at the local level.

In my first blog of 2010 I want to throw out an invitation to those of you interested in sharing your thoughts with us, confidentially of course, on your industry if your company, large or small, falls into one of the following manufacturing industries:

Fabricated Metal;

Paper;

Textile Mills Product;

and Food.

 If you'd like to participate, please e-mail me at the contact address below and we'll set up an appointment to meet with you for a brief face-to-face or telephone conversation, it's as easy as that.

This type of input to local planning is vitally important if we are to be able to meet the current and future employer need for suitably trained workers. It also supports the Province of Ontario to provide resources to support businesses as well as employment and training programs and services which are relevant to the needs of local industry and workers.

If you would like to see a copy of last year's report to the Province, please click on the link below http://workforceplanningboard.com/Files/English/TOP%20Jan%202009%20Report.pdf (remember our name changed in 2009!)

If you have any comments, do not hesitate to contact me at carol@workforceplanningboard.com