A new “insight to impact” report conducted by Georgian College says many local communities are growing at a fast pace but its workforce isn’t keeping up at the same rate. “What we want to do is get a good handle on the labour market need,” Georgian College President Kevin Weaver tells CTV News. “Mostly from a shortage perspective, so that we can work with employers and work with community to solve those needs.” Weaver says he knew there was a shortage, but admits he was surprised by the scale of that shortage. He says the the number of college-educated occupations in the region will grow by about 13,000 by 2031. The report focuses on healthcare, the trades and energy sector. “We just have to think differently. It’s not about us delivering a program and producing graduates - we have to do it in partnerships. So, how are we responding? Through partnership, through new programming - it’s making sure our programs are aligned with what the data is telling us,” says Weaver. Innovative Automation has been an important partner of the college for several years. It builds custom robotic machinery, automated assembly systems and testing equipment for global manufacturing industries. Innovative Automation employs 200 people, 180 of them in a skilled trade. “With the shortages that there are, with the lack of senior people that can help mentor and train on the job, we need people out of school with a better skillset that they can hit the ground running,” says Michael Lalonde with Innovative Automation in Barrie. Barrie Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Paul Markle says the solution will come in a team effort. “This really has to be a collaborative approach,” Markle says. “Businesses have to recognize that they are going to have to make an investment to train people and to get their skills up. But we have some time and I think that’s really what the encouraging side of this is. If we act now and continue to do things we’ve been doing, I think we’ll be in a better position.” Almost one million new college-educated workers will be required in Ontario over the next 10 years. The biggest demand for workers is expected to be in healthcare, education and the skilled trades.
