Fleming College

Northumberland, ON (Oct. 28, 2010) – Key economic development agencies from across Northumberland County announced today at Fleming College Lakeshore Campus the first-ever study of critical gaps between the needs of local industry and the current skills of our local workforce. Take the survey at www.workforcegapanalysis.com

Identifying current and future jobs in our County is crucial. Ensuring local residents have the skills necessary for these jobs is also essential. Local Economic Development agencies and organizations have recognized a need to accurately respond to these challenges in order to better match skills with current and future jobs.

To do this, they need up to date and accurate information from Northumberland County employers about their workforce needs and skill requirements, as well as from individuals employed, underemployed, seeking employment or workers looking for career advancement.

This study will develop a better understanding of employers’ needs for key personnel and training, the degree to which the Northumberland’s residents and workforce have the skills to meet those needs, and what must be done to address any job and skills gaps that are identified.

The results will help employers to get qualified employees when they need them. It will also enable the community college to develop relevant training. This will address skill gaps which will help residents find local jobs and help workers identify their career advancement and local training needs.

The agencies that have partnered for this important undertaking are Fleming College, the County of Northumberland, Town of Cobourg, Municipality of Trent Hills, Township of Cramahe, Municipality of Port Hope, the Northumberland Manufacturers Association and the Northumberland Chapter of the Human Resources Professionals Association. The project is supported by the Northumberland CFDC, Eastern Ontario Development Program. The partners have engaged TCI and GGA Management Consultants to assist with the development of the workforce strategy.

Input from both business and local workforce throughout Northumberland is critical to the success of this project. Businesses and individuals throughout the County are being asked to participate in a comprehensive survey.

Judy Selvig, Port Hope’s Economic Development Officer and Chair of the study steering committee, is enthusiastic about the importance of the study.

“We strongly encourage Northumberland employers and residents to participate in the survey,” “By identifying local skills needs partners can work together to strategically fill those needs,” noted Selvig, adding, “It will help local business retention efforts and also provide an important competitive tool for new business investment.”

Deborah Clifford Manager of Fleming College’s Cobourg Campus is keen to get workers and the County’s job seekers to participate.

“It is critical that we get a broad representation from those seeking to upgrade their skills, looking for a job or career advancement to take part in this important study,” said Clifford. “This will help us ensure that existing and future employees have the necessary skills for Northumberland’s knowledge-based economy.”

The web site that has been set up to provide more information about the study with links to the surveys is: www.workforcegapanalysis.com.

The Northumberland partners urge all businesses in the County and area and individuals employed, under-employed, currently looking for work or looking to advance their careers to participate.

– 30 –

For Information Contact:

Greg Young, Director, TCI Management Consultants, gyoung@consulttci.com