MEDIA ADVISORY: Niagara Workforce Coalition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 3, 2023

Workforce Collective launches Niagara Workforce Coalition with local municipalities, community service providers, industry associates and education providers.

(Niagara, ON) – Workforce Collective is excited to announce the formation of a coalition to integrate workforce planning and development in Niagara. The objective of this work is to facilitate action that supports a thriving local economy, powered by fair employment opportunities and collaborative employee recruitment and retention efforts.

“There are many issues leading us to activate this coalition,” explains Vivian Kinnaird, CEO/Strategy Lead for Workforce Collective. “Unprecedented labour and skills shortages are negatively affecting economic productivity. Only 57% of adults in Niagara are working, retirees are exiting the workforce faster than people are entering, and many Niagarans and newcomers to Niagara are not working to their full potential.”

To solve these challenges, the Coalition intends to engage key leaders in systemic change and align with community-wide initiatives (such as our region’s Economic Development Strategy and emerging Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy). We need more employers to enable decent work— inclusive of fair wages, secure work arrangements, and meaningful career advancement. We need to work across employment, education, and training systems to address the growing mismatch between the skills workers have and those employers are seeking.

Through working together, we plan to:

• develop a workforce strategy that guides workforce planning and development activities
  
• share data and knowledge between partners (to coordinate, increase capacity and reduce duplication); and mobilize information to employers, educators, and service providers
  
• strengthen partnerships and proactively engage in initiatives to develop our workforce

We invite all interested parties and prospective partners to learn more about the Niagara Workforce Coalition. Please join us at the official launch and network-building reception, following the Growing Your Workforce conference on November 9^th at White Oaks Resort and Spa from 3:00-5:00PM. Register online at: workforcecoalitionlaunch.eventbrite.ca

For media inquiries, partnerships or further information, please contact Rachel Crane, Learning and Engagement Lead at Workforce Collective by email (rachel@workforcecollective.ca) or phone (905) 641-0801, ext. 123.