Amid economic uncertainties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario faces challenges in tight labour markets, high unemployment rates, and a significant skills gap, particularly in rural areas, where approximately 250,000 jobs remain unfilled. In response to these pressing issues, a research initiative has been launched to spotlight innovative workforce development strategies aimed at addressing rural labour force challenges. By conducting an online survey involving Workforce Planning Boards and Community Futures Development Corporations, the initiative aims to identify and showcase diverse innovative initiatives in rural labour force planning, highlighting successful strategies, projects, and collaborations by various stakeholders.

The research initiative aims to:

• Analyze Innovative Workforce Development Strategies: Evaluate innovative strategies and plans designed to address labour shortages in rural Ontario.
• Build Detailed Case Studies: Develop detailed case studies showcasing a wide range of innovative workforce development initiatives.
• Showcase Diversity: Highlight the diversity of workforce development strategies and projects across rural Ontario.

Highlight Successful Initiatives: Capture successful initiatives while addressing the unique challenges and successes in different regions and sectors, fostering a nuanced understanding.

Using data collected from an online survey of Workforce Planning Boards and Community Futures Development Corporations in Ontario a series of innovative practices were identified:

• Dufferin County and Georgian College: Offering bursaries to Early Childhood Educator candidates.
• First Work Programs: Best practice sharing and development in employment services.
• Rural Northern Immigration Pilot Programs: Facilitating skilled foreign workers’ permanent residency in areas like Sudbury and Thunder Bay.
• Skills Development Fund: Supporting projects targeting labour shortages, focusing on disadvantaged groups.
• Titan Trailers: Employing and housing Ukrainian refugees, aiding community integration
• Upskill Canada by Pallette Skills: Developing key sector training programs with government support.
• Western Ontario Wardens Caucus: Boosting the workforce through a collaborative county strategy.

Preliminary Findings

Diversity in Key Actors: Collaboration among private sector, local governments, provincial government, and federal government enhances solutions to labour shortages.

• Titan Trailers: Cultural support boosts newcomer retention and local economy.
• Dufferin County: Educational-local partnerships impact labour needs.
• Western Ontario Wardens Caucus: Regional collaboration aids in overcoming labour challenges.
• Rural Northern Immigration Pilot Programs and Upskill Canada: Innovative approaches to labour and economic growth through permanent residency facilitation and short-cycle training programs, respectively.

Next Steps

 Over the next year research will continue to understand how rural workforce development initiatives are assisting rural communities and rural economies. Upcoming research activities will include continue analysis of innovative case studies, create innovative work force case studies, create online map of innovative work force case studies, conduct knowledge mobilization of findings, and conduct in-depth case studies to enhance the understanding and transferability of 2-3 innovative rural labour shortage strategies.

For more information on this initiative please visit www.ruraldev.ca/lsna or contact Paul Sitsofe ([email protected]), Niju Mathew ([email protected]), or Ryan Gibson ([email protected]).