Current and Ongoing Projects

The Workforce Planning Board analyses the workforce development needs of the community and responds by building partnerships to take advantage of opportunities to resolve workforce issues proactively. Listed below are the partnerships and projects that we are currently working on.

The 2010-11 Partnerships and Projects can be found listed in the new Local Boards Network Partnership Activities publication for the Western Local Board Areas

Establishment of Dufferin Training Program Advisory Committee – Plastics

Description: Currently there is no training available in Dufferin County to support the growing Plastics and Rubber industry. This industry is a key focus in Dufferin’s economic development strategy. WPB will facilitate a dialogue between industry and educators/trainers to identify local training needs and assist in the establishment of a Program Advisory Committee to support the development of local training initiatives.

Agriculture Training and Education Forum

Description: This one-day forum will bring together educators/trainers, employers and industry experts to discuss the rapidly changing training requirements within the primary agriculture sector. A facilitated session will identify possible new training opportunities which can be developed in Waterloo Wellington and Dufferin.

Research: Creative Class Workers

Description: This is a project in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs and Economic Development offices in Waterloo Region. It consists of the development of an in-depth research and analysis report on Creative Class Workers in Waterloo Region. The project will utilize the new creative class worker tool developed by OMAFRA and occupational and industry data to be provided by WPB and will provide a template and “how-to” reference to other members of the provincial Local Board Network for use in their own communities.

Rural Career/Job Fair

Description: A one day event to highlight local employment and training opportunities as well as key local industries to youth in rural communities.

Development of Agricultural Employment/Careers Marketing Committee

Description: WPB will facilitate and support the development of a committee whose role will be to identify local opportunities to market employment and career opportunities in the Agriculture sector. This committee once established will provide opportunities to create new partnerships to promote careers in the industry as well as supporting and marketing existing initiatives.

ZOOM: Health Care Career Day

Description: This project piggy backs onto an existing career awareness event being planned for high school students. As part of this partnership with the Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region, WPB will provide links to employers in the health care sector and extend the existing event to provide opportunities for members of the general public to learn about employment opportunities in the health care sector. WPB will market the extension of the event to the unemployed, adjustment centres, Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network, Job Connect and others who serve adults looking for work or to change their career path.

Career Profiles in the People-driven Sector

Description: The people-driven sector consists of careers which are focused on facilitating or assisting individuals within the community. Individuals working in the people-driven sector are not generally motivated by profits, but rather inspired to make a difference by helping others.

Monthly Labour Force Survey

Description: This employer survey provides valuable information to the community on occupations in demand and in decline, by industry, and with month to month comparisons in Waterloo Wellington and Dufferin Counties. This survey is also being conducted by members of the provincial Local Board Network who are located in the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities’ Western enabling us to develop both local and regional reports.

ICHR Project

Description: Increasing the Capacity of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises to Hire and Retain Internationally Trained Immigrants (ICHR ) Through the ICHR project, Ontario colleges are offering free ‘Are You Ready?’ workshops to small- and medium-sized employers (SMEs) designed to assist them in effectively recruiting and hiring internationally trained immigrants. WPB is representing the provincial Local Board Network on the Project Advisory Committee.

Local Immigration Partnership Council – Guelph Wellington

Description: The Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) is a one-year community planning process funded through Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The goal of LIP is to develop a newcomer/immigrant settlement strategy. Creating a caring and equitable community where everyone thrives is the focus of the Guelph Wellington strategy. WPB’s Executive Director is Co-Chair of the Council.

Making Cents of Abilities Coalition

Description: The coalition seeks to provide a central access point for local employers to find information to support them in the hiring/retention of persons with disabilities and to create community awareness of the skills and talents of persons with disabilities. The steering committee for this coalition includes representatives from the local chambers, government, schools, businesses and organizations that work with persons with disabilities.

As of June 25, 2009, the Ontario Trillium Foundation approved a $41,300 grant over nine months for a consultant and project management costs to develop a strategic plan for a collaborative of organizations, businesses and people to improve employment prospects for people with disabilities. Click here to be directed to the website for the Coalition.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) Scholarships

Description: A partnership to provide eight (8) $500 scholarships annually to OYAP students in all four (4) WWTAB area school boards who are going into an apprenticeship after high school graduation.

Ongoing Partners: Waterloo Wellington Training and Adjustment Board (Project lead), Waterloo Region District Labour Council, Guelph District Labour Council, OYAP coordinators from all 4 area school boards.

Products: Eight (8) scholarships of $500 each

Speakers Bureau

Description: The Speakers Bureau is a resource to assist students with their career exploration through first-hand interaction with speakers from various occupations. WWTAB's Executive Director and other WWTAB directors regularly speak to students about local labour market information.

Status: Ongoing

Partners: The Business & Education Partnership of Waterloo Region (Lead)

Products: Not Applicable

Website: http://www2.bus-edpartnership.org/index.shtml

SCWI - School /College/ Work Initiative

Description: The SCWI team works to expand and link more secondary school courses to college programs, and create communication pieces that encourage high school students to select college as a first choice post-secondary option.

Status: Ongoing

Partners: Waterloo Wellington Training and Adjustment Board, Skills Canada, Conestoga College, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Wellington Catholic District School Board, Waterloo Region District School Board, Waterloo Catholic District School Board (Lead), Career Education Council, Business & Education Partnership, Foundation for Enriched Education, Avon Maitland District School Board, Upper Grand District School Board

Products: What are you Plannin’ on Doing with your Life DVD

Website: http://www.gotocollege.ca

Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network

Description: WRIEN is a forum for local strategies, to help ensure that the skills of immigrants are more optimally used to benefit immigrants and their families, our economy and the community as a whole. WWTAB's Executive Director and other WWTAB directors actively participate in WRIEN's work groups.

Status: OngoingPartners: Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce (Lead). For full list of partners, see website below

Products: See website

Website: www.wrien.com