Local leaders met this week to discuss how to address the region’s critical labour shortages.
The meeting was hosted by the Centre for Workforce Development and brought together leaders from healthcare, police services, manufacturing, employment services, and municipalities to address critical labour shortages in the region.
Key findings included the need for dozens of new police officers within the next two years, alongside long-term care workers, manufacturing employees, doctors, and other skilled professionals.
Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams and Centre for Workforce Development Executive Director Sandi Ramsey say there is an urgent need for real-time data on job availability and future labour trends.
Williams calls such data critical, to ensure local education systems, parents and students make informed decisions about the skills they need to succeed and will allow employers to find the talent they require.
Ramsey says, “I fully agree with MP Williams, in that collaboration and real-time labour market data are critical to addressing the workforce challenges in our region. By bringing together leaders from across sectors, including local government, we can create targeted solutions that not only address current labour force challenges and opportunities, but also prepare us for future workforce demands. This united approach helps to ensure Bay of Quinte remains a vibrant and thriving community.”
Williams and the Centre for Workforce Development say they are committed to ongoing collaboration with local leaders, businesses, and educators to ensure Bay of Quinte remains competitive and prosperous.
(Photo: Office of Ryan Williams)
