MEDIA ADVISORY: New ways of thinking and doing usher in a new organizational brand. 

Niagara Workforce Planning Board is changing its name to Workforce Collective. 

OCTOBER 17th, 2022— The pandemic accelerated significant changes in the world of work. As the Niagara Workforce Planning Board team adapted, observed and navigated through these changes, it became abundantly clear that new approaches to workforce development are needed. 

Building on decades of collecting and analyzing labour market information, the team shifted its focus to developing solutions to address the issues observed in the data, like labour shortages and workplace wellbeing. With this expanded mission emerged a need for a new organizational identity. 

Niagara Workforce Planning Board has evolved into Workforce Collective. 

“Our organization has become a container for various workforce-related research projects and solutions”, says Vivian Kinnaird, CEO of Workforce Collective. “We believe our new name and brand captures both what we do and the collaborative spirit that we aim to embody”.  

“We’re excited to unveil a brand identity that reflects how the organization is supporting employers, employees and those seeking employment to lead our economy into a better future”, says Justin De Caire, Board Chair for Workforce Collective.  

While the organization’s name will change, the vision for a thriving community powered by a diverse and healthy workforce remains the same.  

Workforce Collective will continue to contribute labour market data and insight, through hosting Niagara’s workforce planning board (one of 26 boards that comprise the Workforce Planning Ontario network). The organization will also dive deeper into its initiatives related to the equity of work, the critical nature of workplace wellbeing, newcomer employment strategies and more.  

“Many aren’t aware that a large part of our work entails partnering with stakeholders, like businesses and employment services, to lead positive and systemic change”, says Rachel Crane, Learning & Engagement Lead at Workforce Collective. “With this new brand, we intend to emphasize this key part of what we do and invite others to explore new ways of thinking and doing for a better workforce alongside us.” 

Workforce Collective will officially launch on October 25th, 2022 with the rollout of the organization’s new online presence. Community members and partners can expect to see the implementation of the brand in the weeks leading up to and after this date. For more information about the branding process, or how to access the organization’s new assets, please contact Rachel (rachel@nwpb.ca).  

Workforce Collective is a non-profit organization that serves the community’s efforts to address workforce challenges and opportunities through research, data and collaboration. Workforce Collective nurtures new ways of thinking and doing, and acts as a central hub for developing labour-related solutions.