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.

Move from “I lost my job!” to “I will get through this!”

Description: This project is designed to promote the local resources available to adjusted workers in Waterloo and in Wellington and Dufferin counties. The brochures include pull-out cards on services around well-being, finances, the labour market, job search and training and make workers aware of the options available to them. These brochures are available through the Workforce Planning Board (WPB), local Action Centres and employment resource centres.

Research: Future Growth

To assist with local labour market planning, a report will be developed identifying the top 3 to 5 industries in the area poised for future growth. WPB is developing this report for the Region of Waterloo Forward Community Infrastructure Group which consists of local employers and community leaders in the Waterloo Region. The report will be distributed throughout the community.

Employment Growth in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises - August 2009

LMI for Educators

Description: WPB is developing labour market information bulletins for career and guidance counsellors in the local school boards who sometimes lack time to source labour market information. Over the year, 6 labour market bulletins will be distributed to the schools. The topics will be chosen based upon input from Student Success and OYAP Coordinators with the local school boards.

Research: Non Traditional Careers for Women

Description: WPB will research the top 20 non-traditional careers for women using Statistics Canada census data. From this research, a report will be written identifying sectors and careers of interest. The report will also include career sheets on the Top 20 non-traditional careers for women with details on responsibilities, NOC Codes, salaries, education and training where possible. These reports will be distributed to action centres and local school boards.

The report is now complete and has been released. Please follow the link below for a copy of the report.

Non-Traditional Careers for Women Report - August 2009

Youth Expectations in Dufferin County

Description: An event for youth in Dufferin County will be organized in November. The event will discuss youth employment expectations, their understanding of the local labour market and the most effective ways of marketing career information to them. The youth being targeted for this event are from the local high schools.

This event was held on November 17, 2009. A copy of the Executive Summary can be downloaded by clicking here. If you would like more detailed information about this event, please contact our office.

Intergenerational Conference

Description: WPB is organizing a half-day conference around the multigenerational workplace and its unique challenges. The event is for business and HR leaders in Wellington and Dufferin counties. Our partners in this event will be the local chambers of commerce.

This event was held in Orangeville on November 18, 2009. A quick summary of the conference can be downloaded here.

Research: Immigrant Underemployment

Description: In partnership with the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network and the Local Immigration Partnership Council, WPB is undertaking a research project around Immigrant Employment. The project will determine which immigrants, with different fields of study, are more likely to find work in their field. The project will also break out results by period of immigration.

Immigrant Employment by Field of Study Waterloo Region - October 2009

Immigrant Employment by Field of Study Wellington County - October 2009

Health Care Symposium

Description: This health care sector consultation is the next step in the healthcare human resources needs process. The event provides area educators, trainers and employers the opportunity to discuss what local actions should be taken to address the issues outlined in the November 2008 session and who could, or should, be involved with each action.

The final report from the second health care workforce forum has now been completed. Please follow the link below for a copy of the report.

Healthcare Workforce Forum #2 Final Report - August 2009

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.

Youth Job Fair Coordination Project

SourceOne Job Fairs

Description: This initiative works directly with youth employment service providers, local youth and employers to coordinate job fairs across Waterloo Region and Wellington County . The goal of this project is to consolidate youth job fairs across these regions and provide more direct contact between youth and the employers looking to hire them.

Partners: Waterloo Wellington Training and Adjustment Board, Service Canada, Youth Employment Service Providers including: Job Connect -Conestoga College, Second Chance, Cambridge Career Connections, Lutherwood and Northern Lights.

Products: WWTAB Youth Resources 2008

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

KnowledgeShare

Description: Coordinated Senior Mentor Program. Establishment of database of senior volunteer mentors. Vehicle for sharing of seniors' knowledge and expertise with younger workers.

Project Objectives: To ensure the effective transfer of the acquired skills, knowledge and experience of older workers to younger workers.  To address the aging workforce demographic and the subsequent loss of expertise in Waterloo-Wellington.

Partners: Service Canada

Status: Under Review for future development

SPP - Social Purchasing Portal

Description: A collaborative group of employers, purchasers, suppliers and employment agencies working together to achieve sustainable employment for the long term unemployed or hard to employ in Waterloo Region. The Social Purchasing Portal (SPP) is a new region-wide initiative that gives local businesses the opportunity to make regular purchases based on quality, price and service while also helping long term unemployed persons in their community achieve employment.

Status: 4 year project officially launched on November 22nd, 2006. Currently in year 2.

Partners: Waterloo Wellington Training and Adjustment Board (Co-Lead), Opportunities Waterloo Region (Co-lead)

Products: Website - see below

Website: http://sppwaterlooregion.org

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