FNETB supporting local research projects

The Far Northeast Training Board is one of eight Local Employment Planning Council (LEPC) projects in the province. Part of the LEPC mandate is to work collaboratively with community stakeholders in the design and development of projects aimed at researching and testing innovative approaches to local labour market issues or opportunities.
In April, the FNETB issued a Call for Proposals for local partnership-based research and innovation projects that would help address the following locally identified labour market priorities:

• Enhancing sector/community-based local labour market information;
• Providing coordinated and relevant employment and training services;
• Increasing employer engagement in local labour market planning;
• Promoting an inclusive and diverse workforce; and
• Creating and retaining good-quality jobs.

As a result of the Call for Proposals, a total of nine project proposals were received and evaluated. The Far NE Local Employment Planning Council will allocate a total of $120,000 to three of the partnership-based research projects. The successful applicants are:

Wabun Tribal Council – in partnership with Wahkohtowin Development GP Inc, a new company owned by three First Nations (Brunswick House First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation and Missanibie Cree First Nation), Mushkegowuk Employment and Training Services, and Collège Boréal, Wabun proposes to conduct a Needs Assessment Community Profile for the three First Nation communities to prepare the members of the communities to enter the forestry sector.

The Corporation of the Municipality of Val Rita – Harty – in partnership with thirteen municipalities and Economic Development Corporation along the Highway 11 Corridor from Cochrane to Hearst (the Great Claybelt region).  This project will examine the local labour market conditions (ie: workforce, service sector support, education support, etc) to adequately respond to an emerging agriculture sector.

Timmins and District Multicultural Center – in partnership with the North Bay and District Multicultural Center and the Economic Development Corporations in Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Timmins, Chapleau, Smooth Rock Falls, Cochrane, Kapuskasing and Hearst, proposes to examine the increasing number of immigrant entrepreneurs who are purchasing businesses in those communities. What drives them to leave the city and venture north? How many people are they employing? Would businesses have ceased to exist if they had not purchased them? Are they investing new money into the businesses? Are they expanding?