The last decade has ushered in seismic change for the workforce in Eastern Ontario, and around the world. As a result, employers are discovering that traditional methods of workforce recruitment are no longer effective.
But while the changing nature of the workforce presents challenges, it also brings opportunities, says Alysha Dominico, Project Coordinator for Ontario East Workforce Partners Support Project (OE-WPSP).
“The way that we’ve always done things doesn’t necessarily work anymore, so we are looking to find a solution for that,” Dominico says. “Employers are noticing it is getting harder to hire and that work is changing, ” she adds. This means a pivot is necessary,, and that’s where Ontario East Economic Development comes in.
Dominico says the shifts include a turn to remote work as a result of the pandemic. Demographic changes, including age and immigration, have provided a potential group of new employees, but of course it is necessary to build in accommodations to help newcomers and younger workers adjust. Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are ongoing and transit, accommodation and childcare needs must be addressed, Dominico says.
A changing workforce
“We’re seeing a big change in the workforce and what people want out of work, with the onset of the millennials. We’re following the trends and helping everybody survive them,” she says, adding that baby boomer exits and the fact that new skills are needed are requiring adjustments
To address these changes and the demands of employers and the workforce, Ontario East has established a working group that relies heavily on collaboration and communication. Stakeholders, which include those who have an audience with employers, meet to problem solve. The organization has also created a rich array of resources, including a newsletter and tools on its web site that includes a map of available properties, a map of available jobs, a list of key sectors and a regional profile. “The success comes in what people share,” Dominico adds.
For example, one employer was confounded by all the hoops through which she had to jump to navigate a government website in order to address some immigration issues during a hiring effort. Thanks to Ontario East’s online resources, she was able to find information immediately. Another example includes a unique collaboration between a Brockville high school that allowed high school students to help build affordable housing for an employer.
Professional development opportunities that enhance competitiveness
Now with 150 members, Ontario East was established more than 35 years ago as a non-profit regional marketing agency with a mandate to develop, implement and administer programs to attract new investment and jobs to its diverse group of communities. With a focus on investment attraction, Ontario East also offers professional development opportunities and delivers programs to enhance the region’s competitiveness.
“We help to connect people with businesses and jobs, as well as new investment to Eastern Ontario” says executive director Jay Amer. Part of meeting that mandate includes addressing issues that currently affect employers, including immigration, transit, education, childcare and diversity, education and inclusivity.
The organization’s clientele is inclusive of 13 counties and ten separated cities in Ontario, from Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton east to Renfrew and Prescott-Russell at the Quebec border and all the communities in between. Some of the main industries within Ontario East include advanced manufacturing, logistics and transportation and food and beverage.
And while these industries are thriving, they are certainly being impacted by ruptures in the workforce. “We know things have to change. We know it’s been difficult for employers. By sharing all of our collective ideas and looking at what has worked in one region and then how to duplicate it to another region, that’s mission critical right now. We can help them with communication of knowledge,” says Dominico.
