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Precision Agriculture Event at Algoma Orchards
Leave a CommentDurham Farm Connections, Invest Durham and community partners hosted a Precision agriculture field day for students to understand tools that are helping farmers better manage their operations and become more efficient. New and improved technology supports Durham farmers in improving crop yield, soil, and farm productivity.
The students were in grade 11 or 12 and participated in Environmental Science, Information-Communication-Technology or Trades programs.
This is the second year of the event, and stations will included:
- Soybean planting demonstration
- Fertilizer application demonstration
- GPS Simulator
- Apple Orchard
- Ag Robotics
Kirk Kemp from Algoma Orchards presented the value of using GPS to improve planting productivity. With the new technology, Algoma can plant 20,000 in one day and have almost 2 million trees in the ground.
Kemp noted that the addition of technology on the farm does not eliminate jobs; rather, the Algoma packing plant has two and a half times more people working there because the technology allows the company to take on more work.
Kemp also showed the students an ATV with a small camera mounted on the front that could count all the buds on the apple trees. The farmer would then be able to make decisions on how to manage the trees for optimum crop production based on this information.
The almost one hundred students in attendance had opportunities to experience cutting-edge farm technology and learn how their high school programs can lead to on-farm jobs in precision agriculture.
Employment by NOC
Leave a CommentThe monthly Labour Force Survey is released on the first Friday of the first full week of the month with data for the previous month. It provides crucial information at the national and provincial levels, with some data available on economic regions, census sub-divisions, and census metropolitan areas.
NOC codes play an important role in classifying occupations, and this data is used to compile, analyze, and communicate information about occupations. The NOCs are a nationally accepted system of describing the different occupations of Canadians. The NOC system organizes over 30,000 different occupations into a numerical system that is then used when collecting data, organizing information and analyzing labour market information. NOCs organize occupations into 4-digit codes, with each digit being an aspect of the career. With each digit of the NOC code, the occupation is further specified.
The first digit is the skill type of the occupation, which is based on the type of work performed, the training or experience needed, and the industry of employment. The second digit represents the skill level, which directly relates to the type and/or amount of training or education typically required.
The Labour Force Survey releases the monthly unemployment rate and unemployment by National Occupation Code (NOC) at the two-digit level.
There were increases in health, (14-19 percent), art, culture, recreation and sport, (5-8 percent) and in manufacturing and utilities (9-12 percent).
There were slight decreases in management (23-20 percent) and natural and applied sciences (25-24 percent).
The biggest change from January to April was in sales and service occupations, except management, which dropped from 53 percent in January to 45 percent in April.
The DWA will continue to review this data set monthly.
Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0430-01 Employment by occupation, census metropolitan areas, three-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410043001
Data Walk 2024
Leave a CommentThe Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) annually hosts the Data Walk, an interactive forum for community stakeholders, residents, researchers, program administrators, government officials, and service providers to discuss research about their community.
Researchers, program administrators, and policymakers are accustomed to presentations full of technical jargon and graphics that community residents and practitioners may perceive as intimidating, confusing, and patronizing.
We are not so good at sharing them with our community in a way that will help the community gain a comfort level with the breadth and depth of the data and how communities can use this solid research for their own work.
The event’s goals are to share data and findings with the community, foster a shared understanding of labour market information held by the DWA, and inform, engage and empower community members to gain understanding and comfort with local labour market information.
There will be data posters around the room. Participants will be divided into groups, and each group will give a short presentation on the data in the posters.
The event starts with a brief introduction, discussion, and then questions for the group to help guide them through the data.
The DWA has presented a variety of data in previous data walks, such as:
- Employment Data, Top Occupations, Top Sectors, Employer Survey, Employee Survey, Durham Under 30 Survey, EO data, Apprenticeship data, Immigrant data
- Residents’ responses from the DWA Employer Survey, DWA Employee Survey, DWA Durham Under 30
- Characteristics of target populations such as race, income, percentage of English language learners
The event is open to everyone in Durham Region, particularly members of Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development, all three levels of government, student leaders, education institutions and School Boards, Community Support organizations and People with lived experience.
The Data Walk will occur at Club Lorely on October 25th at 9:30 a.m. Registration is free and can be completed below.
DWA Data is Best When Presented
Leave a CommentAs the leading source of labour market intelligence for the Durham Region, the Durham Workforce Authority(DWA) holds an enormous amount of data that can be used by the community to support the development and maintenance of a sustainable and dynamic local workforce. The DWA team works hard to improve the availability of labour market information by getting out and presenting to groups throughout the Region. As Executive Director Heather McMillan often says, “We are all about the share!”
However, the depth and breadth of the data the DWA has available to the community is staggering and can be challenging to interpret correctly. That is why the DWA is always happy to present information on the labour market at any community gathering, small or large. These presentations allow the community to leverage available data for planning or decision-making, which is a priority for the DWA.
The DWA often presents to grade 10 career classes, school board training days, community organizations, social clubs, chambers of commerce, and community service providers.
Presentations can be focused to fit the needs of any group but typically include things like:
- Skills in demand in the community
- Cluster/sector profiles
- EDI data
- Commuting patterns
- Community profiles
- Skilled trades data
In addition to making data more accessible, presentations also include information and training on how to use the DWA’s Jobs First Durham(JFD) tools and reports. All JFD tools are free to use and provide:
- A comprehensive local jobs board and job mapping tool
- A resume builder and personalized cover letter generator
- Local labour market information pulled directly from job postings from more than 50 unique local job boards
- A resource hub for employment in the early learning and childcare sector.
Making data available and user-friendly is a DWA priority. If you would like to arrange a presentation, please get in touch with the DWA at admin@durhamwa.ca
Durham Farm Connections 2024 Precision Agriculture Day
Leave a CommentThe Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) will partner with Durham Farm Connections for its Precision Agriculture Day, which will be held on Tuesday, May 28th, at Gordon Barrie and Sons, Bowmanville. The day’s focus will be on grain farming and horticulture.
Precision agriculture uses technology such as GPS guidance, drones, sensors, soil sampling and precision machinery to grow crops efficiently. It helps farmers make decisions about their crops based on the conditions of their fields.
Precision agriculture uses data to manage land. The data farmers can now acquire about their fields allows them to determine the exact placement of seeds and pesticides required to grow crops, which helps improve operation productivity, reduce waste, and improve environmental sustainability.
High school students from across Durham Region will participate in a one-day session to better understand the in-demand occupations in this important agriculture subsector in Durham and learn the education and employment pathways through hands-on participation and presentations. The students will be in grade 11 or 12 and participating in either Environmental Science, Information Communication Technology, or Trades programs.
Students will be divided into groups and rotated through stations, which include:
- Soybean planting demonstration and discussion
- Fertilizer application demonstration and discussion
- GPS Simulator
- Agriculture Careers Speaker
- Apple Orchard
- Drone
- Ag Robotics
The students will leave the event with a better understanding of how technology is applied in agriculture and food production, the existing career opportunities, and how precision agriculture practices improve farm sustainability (environmental, economic, and social sustainability). Most students will have limited or no previous exposure to agriculture.
Four videos on Precision Agriculture Technology were uploaded on the Durham Farm Connections YouTube channel to support learning. The videos highlight Planting, fertilizer application, drones, and robotics technology. Find the videos here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ3-Qk5X6N6dZhuQo5WrxaA
How Volunteering Boosts Your Career
Leave a CommentFor National Volunteer Week, the DWA is exploring the transformative power of volunteering and how it shapes people into well-rounded professionals. Volunteering isn’t just about doing good deeds. It can be a strategic step towards enhancing your skill set and developing connections that support your personal and professional growth.
At a basic level, volunteering provides an opportunity to learn new things and develop skills that may not be possible through your current job. Volunteers are regularly asked to take on responsibilities that require leadership, communication, project management, or problem-solving skills. For example, if you lead a team of volunteers for a project, you’ll improve as a leader. Or if you help organize events, you’ll improve your organization and problem-solving skills. Volunteering also introduces you to new perspectives and lived experiences that foster cultural competence, broaden your horizons, and enhance your ability to navigate diverse work environments.
Beyond the immediate impact on skill development, volunteering allows you to meet people who share your values and passions. Whether you collaborate on a project or simply share experiences while volunteering, it provides a solid foundation for developing connections that can lead to new job opportunities, potential mentorships, or helpful advice about succeeding in your career.
While skill development and network building are the more obvious benefits of volunteering, the benefits extend far beyond personal and professional growth. By volunteering, you’re contributing to the betterment of your community and playing an important role in making it a better place to live, work, and play. This creates a ripple effect that leads to more vibrant and resilient communities that support opportunities for growth and develop innovative approaches to addressing social, economic and labour market challenges.
Embracing the volunteering spirit paves the way for a brighter future, both personally and professionally. As you embark on your volunteer journey, consider what skills and connections you’d like to develop. United Way Durham Region maintains a database of volunteer opportunities and is a great place to explore local options for getting started as a volunteer; it can be found here. No matter what you choose to do, know that you’ll be making a positive difference in your community while working towards becoming a more well-rounded and successful candidate for your chosen career.
Durham’s Population
Leave a CommentTo understand the labour market, we must have a strong understanding of the population or demographics of the Region of Durham. Some important data sets provide enlightening demographic information.
Durham Region’s population is balanced by age and sex. The graph above shows women in red on the chart and men in blue on the chart. The population distribution by sex is balanced in Durham, with slightly more residents identifying as women.
When looking at the age of the population, Durham has a larger population in the 60-64 age range, similar to residents ages 30-49. These populations are prime working populations. The chart shows that smaller populations are in the 65 to 85 age range and older.
Below is a chart of each of Durham’s municipalities and their change in population for each of the recent census years (2016 and 2021). With the exception of Scugog, each of the municipalities experienced a significant population increase in four years. Ajax was the lowest at 5.8 percent, and Clarington was the highest at 10.2 percent.
| Municipality | 2016 | 2021 | % change |
| Oshawa | 159,458 | 175,383 | 10 |
| Whitby | 128,377 | 138,501 | 7.9 |
| Ajax | 119,677 | 126,666 | 5.8 |
| Pickering | 91,771 | 99,186 | 8.1 |
| Clarington | 92,013 | 101,427 | 10.2 |
| Brock | 11,642 | 12,567 | 7.9 |
| Scugog | 21,617 | 21,581 | -0.2 |
| Uxbridge | 21,176 | 21,556 | 1.8 |
Chart Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2016 – 2022.
Graphic Source: Statistics Canada. 2023. (table). Census Profile. 2021 Census of Population. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-316-X2021001. Ottawa. Released November 15, 2023. (accessed February 15, 2024).
Data Walk 2023
Leave a CommentThe 2023 Data Walk shed light on crucial aspects of employment and workforce dynamics, providing valuable insights into unemployment rates, Indigenous employment, remote work trends, reasons for leaving work, job vacancy rates, and the challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities.
Every step along this data-driven journey promotes a deeper understanding of Durham Region’s labour market landscape, from demographic shifts impacting workforce diversity to technological advancements altering skill requirements. By engaging with Local Labour Market Information (LLMI) in such an immersive way, participants obtain a better understanding of the value of LLMI.
The Data Walk provides a significant opportunity to disseminate valuable LLMI with community stakeholders, residents, researchers, program administrators, local government officials, and service providers.
Click Here to Download the Dec 2023 Data Walk Posters
16th Annual Industry Tour for Educators
Leave a CommentThe Durham Workforce Authority coordinated the 16th Industry Tour for Educators to foster a better understanding of the skills and knowledge required by various industries and to support educators.
Incorporating local business tours into education can bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, enriching the educational experience for both teachers and students. These tours serve as a valuable networking opportunity for educators to develop meaningful partnerships between schools and businesses.
Events like the Industry Tour for Educators ensure students benefit from a more relevant and practical education that aligns with industry needs.
Industry Tour for Educators 2023
Leave a CommentOn November 17th, more than 60 teachers from several local school boards embarked on a tour of local businesses. United Rentals, a leading equipment rental company, and Oshawa Executive Airport, an aviation gateway to the City of Oshawa and the Greater Toronto Area, were hosts to an innovative educational initiative: the Industry Tour for Educators.
This collaborative event between the DDSB, DCDSB and the Durham Workforce Authority bridges the gap between academic learning and practical application. By immersing themselves in the day-to-day operations of these diverse enterprises, teachers acquired firsthand knowledge that could enhance their lesson plans and ignite student interest aligned with the dynamic demands of the current job market.
Visiting local businesses allows teachers to gain insight into industry practices, provides an opportunity to see the real-world application of skills taught in the classroom and offers a unique glimpse into the world of aviation and logistics. Allowing teachers to gain a deeper understanding of the skills and knowledge required in various industries, enabling them to better prepare their students for future careers.