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DWA Releases Updated Labour Market Plan

June 7, 2023 11:59 am Leave a Comment

The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) has released its updated Labour Market Plan (LMP). 2020 was a census year; the DWA has included updated data sets and analyzed eight high-level community indicators provided by the Ministry of Labour Immigration and Skills Development as well as custom-purchased additional data from Statistics Canada and other research organizations such as Build Force.

The DWA has created a revised community plan, integrated activities with regional economic development plans, and focused on the coming changes with the Service System Manager.

The plan strives to provide leadership in community planning, creates opportunities to share at least some of our DWA data sets, and seeks to create community partnerships.

The plan is released annually to the broader community in both official languages. Our staff will continue public outreach to provide labour market information to the community.

New this year, the DWA convened an ad hoc community advisory group from our community partners to review the Labour Market plan. We thank those partners for their interest in our work; their insights are invaluable.

The Workforce Planning Boards are workplace intermediaries that improve labour market conditions in local communities through enhanced collection and dissemination of local labour market information and community engagement to drive regional approaches in the planning and delivery of employment and training services. The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) has 27 years of experience delivering local labour market information to Durham Region stakeholders.

To read the report, click here.

Equity Diversity and Inclusion Report Released

11:54 am Leave a Comment

The pandemic revealed that women, youth, persons with disabilities, newcomers, Indigenous, racialized communities, and 2SLGBTQI+ Communities are at a greater risk of labour market shocks. This fact moved the Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) to revise our research strategy and create a research standard that applies an equity lens to all future data collection. As we moved through this pandemic, the DWA discovered that many of our residents were struggling before it, and fared poorly during it. Going back to the way things were before is not an option. The pandemic challenges the DWA to rethink how we approach labour market data collection, research, and reporting to assist the broader community in ensuring that everyone has a place in the labour market, as they desire.

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) report examines labour market outcomes of women, persons with disabilities, newcomers, Indigenous, racialized communities and 2SLGBTQI+ Communities to develop a better understanding of the different aspects of systemic and structural factors that facilitate barriers to labour force participation.

An essential goal of this report is to broaden the DWA’s understanding of the local labour market. The report includes an overview of the significant patterns and trends in the labour market for underrepresented groups, including the labour market experience and outcomes for these groups as well as the role of employers. Included in this report, the DWA created a new research standard that seeks to find appropriate data collection methods, reporting techniques, and styles that are not exclusive or colonial, connecting to new community partners to better serve job seekers, learners, and those with lived experience.

New this year, the DWA convened an ad hoc community advisory group from our community partners to review the EDI plan. We thank those partners for their interest in our work; their insights are invaluable.

The Workforce Planning Boards are workplace intermediaries that improve labour market conditions in local communities through enhanced collection and dissemination of local labour market information and community engagement to drive regional approaches in the planning and delivery of employment and training services. The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) has 27 years of experience delivering local labour market information to Durham Region stakeholders.

To read the report, click here.

DWA Launches Project Funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation

December 12, 2022 3:33 pm Leave a Comment

OTF Supporting Our Community with $89,500 Total Investment in Local Not-for-Profits

 Local MPP Jennifer French joined staff from the Literacy Network of Durham Region (LiNDR) and the Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) for a joint launch of their respective Resilient Communities Fund grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

The DWA received funding in the amount of $65, 000 to facilitate the creation of a community economic development plan for Oshawa’s Lakeview neighbourhoods.  These funds will allow for a robust community engagement process resulting in a data driven, community informed final plan rooted in the collective impact model. The final report and plan will serve as a roadmap for future improvements in service access and delivery in the Lakeview neighbourhood and is expected to be released in spring 2023.

The Literacy Network of Durham Region received funding in the amount of a $24,500 Resilient Communities Fund grant over 12 months, to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 by purchasing equipment and materials, obtaining new online platforms, and supporting staff salaries to deliver an online and hybrid bibliotherapy program.

“I am thrilled to hear that the Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) and the Literacy Network of Durham Region (LiNDR) have been awarded Resilient Communities Fund grants.  This funding will be vital in assisting the DWA and LiNDR in engaging with and expanding services to this equity-deserving community.  I am thankful for the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s recognition of the vital work the DWA and LiNDR do and look forward to seeing the positive impacts these programs will bring”

Jennifer French, Member of Provincial Parliament for Oshawa 

“The impact this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will have on the future of service accessibility and delivery cannot be overstated. This grant will expand capacity to address challenges in this neighbourhood by convening important stakeholders in the area and developing a plan that incorporates their lived experiences.  This will have an undoubtedly positive impact on the health of those in living in this community.”

Heather McMillan, Executive Director of the Durham Workforce Authority 

“The Ontario Trillium Foundation has provided much needed support to our highly regarded community bibliotherapy program. Without these funds, it would be difficult for us to reach the many participants who have benefited from this model of sharing poetry and prose to increase personal well-being.  The Literacy Network of Durham Region is deeply appreciative of this valuable funding opportunity that has enabled us to provide high quality hybrid and online programming to a variety of local audiences.”

Jennine Agnew-Kata, Executive Director of the Literacy Network of Durham Region

The DWA and LiNDR are grateful for the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).  The OTF’s mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Since 2020, OTF has supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

2022 DWA Industry Tour for Educators

December 1, 2022 1:58 pm Leave a Comment

In late November more than 40 educators from the Durham District School Board (DDSB) boarded a big yellow school bus to embark on the 2022 DWA Industry Tour.  Returning from a pandemic related hiatus, this highly anticipated annual tour provides industry-specific occupation information, highlights in-demand occupations and informs on the skill sets required for successful long-term labour force attachment.  It equips educators with broader understanding of the current local labour market, and industry connections necessary to better inform students about career opportunities in our community.

Our first stop was Ajax Textile Corporation, which provided an opportunity for educators to learn about the fabric dying process and gave them some insight into the skills that local employers are looking for in job applicants.  At this stop in particular, they heard about the deficit of skilled trades workers and the impact this has on local employers.

Next, we dropped in visit our partners at Whitby Economic Development, who were kind enough to share a presentation on the important role the 1855 Technology Accelerator plays in supporting innovation and introduce our educators to the innovators currently working in the accelerator.

Finally, the highlight of the tour, was a presentation from Invest Durham on the emerging film industry in Durham. Eileen Kennedy provided important insights into how the industry is growing locally and shared information on the sound stages and locations increasingly being used in popular movies and television shows.  This was especially exciting as it concluded with an invitation for educators to share this exciting information with their students at an upcoming information fair being hosted by the Region.

Prior to the pandemic, the DWA Industry Tour was a highly anticipated annual event for both educators and local businesses.  It provides an opportunity for educators to connect with employers and gain a deeper understanding of the local labour market and the career paths available to their students.  These connections support the effective delivery of programs like the Specialist High Skills Majors and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Programs.  This benefits our students by exposing those guiding them to in-demand careers and it supports our businesses by connecting them with the workforce of the future.

Stay tuned in the coming months for more information on the next DWA Industry Tour!

Community Event – Twisted System: Harsh Truths for Hiring Today

October 5, 2022 3:23 pm Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that employers across sectors and throughout Durham Region are increasingly looking to new Canadians and those with international experience to meet their labour needs.   This is true for everyone from our largest employers right down to the small and medium enterprises that form the backbone of our local labour market.  Our community partners at the Whitby Chamber of Commerce recognized this reality and pulled together an event to explore the harsh truth that in today’s job market those who shape their hiring practices to make their businesses more appealing to a broader and more diverse group of individuals have a competitive advantage.

They asked our community to engage in a real, raw, and admittedly uncomfortable conversation to recognize and begin to address serious flaws in long established recruitment and retention practices.  Unconscious bias, combined with processes that businesses have utilized for generations, are having serious impacts on finding the right candidate for open jobs. Together, attendees explored the harsh truths about hiring for today through story-telling and discussed opportunities for each of us to make our hiring practices more effective for our community.

As part of this event, the Regional Municipality of Durham and World Education Services launched a new digital resource for businesses and HR professionals: the Durham Region Employer Playbook. This comprehensive resource was co-designed with local employers, it identifies local services, practical tools and strategies that can help businesses better leverage the education, skills, and experience of immigrants at each step of the employment process – from recruiting and hiring to onboarding and integrating newcomer talent.

Check out the Durham Region Employer Playbook here 

Get involved! Check out upcoming events from Whitby Chamber of Commerce here  

 

 

Photo: The Durham Workforce Team with Whitby Chamber CEO Natalie

You’re invited to the 2022 Data Walk

January 31, 2022 5:28 pm Leave a Comment

Durham Region Workforce Survey 2021

November 29, 2021 4:12 pm Leave a Comment

The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA), in collaboration with the Social Research Centre (SRC) at Ontario Tech University (formerly known as UOIT), is conducting research on employment trends in Durham Region. The DWA is funded through the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (LTSD) and aims to improve the availability of local labour market information in Durham Region.

The DWA and SRC, with significant input from community partners, have worked collaboratively to create a survey designed to provide significant information on the workforce in Durham Region. The Workforce Survey will be utilized to fill significant gaps in labour market information and better understand the skills and needs of the workforce in Durham Region.  This survey probes respondents on topics such as education, employment, training, job skills, and programs and services in Durham Region.  Analysis of this data will be used to augment data collected from the 2021 Employer Survey and create a fulsome picture of the supply and demand of the labour force in Durham Region.

Your contribution to this process is extremely important and highly valued. The survey data will be anonymized and will not be linked back to you in any way.  The survey takes approximately fifteen to twenty minutes to complete.  Please find the link to the survey below.

Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Matthew Stein, Director of the Social Research Centre, via e-mail at matthew.stein@ontariotechu.ca or via phone at (905)721-3092.

This study has been approved by the Ontario Tech University Research Ethics Board [REB # 16591] on November 26, 2021.

Take the survey now:

Guest Blog: Natalie Prychitko

November 22, 2021 2:10 pm Leave a Comment

The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) is a community-based not for profit that has been around for over 20 years.  With deep ties in our community, the DWA provides labour market data and related support to the business community.

I appreciate the DWA’s engagement with our chamber and championing the information available at our fingertips; and as soon as I dive into their website, I realize the depth and breadth of information available to our membership.

Personally, I was thrilled to see the use of video and the data being delivered in bite-size pieces. Check out their Labour Market Information Video Series that provides access to labour market information in a way that businesses can leverage as they consider their recovery & growth strategies. The videos take the monthly labour force survey data, local custom data and other critical pieces of labour market information and provide it in an easy to understand format.

Want to learn more about the Region you’re doing business in? Check these out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuajyExGKYiLt7imbRZgUng

Do It In Durham Entrepreneurship Week 2021

November 8, 2021 9:25 am Leave a Comment

Do It In Durham Entrepreneurship Week is a collaboration of Durham’s business support, educational and networking organizations who have come together to encourage and support entrepreneurs, job creators and innovators who create economic growth in Durham Region.

This year, there will be over 35 ‘virtual’ events focused on businesses learning, connecting, networking and building their competitive advantage. This includes some leading edge topics such as podcasting, marketing funnels, lead generation online, Intellectual Property and Tech Ex – an expo of the brightest new tech businesses from Spark Centre.

Check out our conversation with Teresa Shaver to learn more about the Business Advisory Centre Durham.

Small Business Month 2021

October 14, 2021 2:10 pm Leave a Comment

During the month of October Canadians from coast to coast to coast recognize and celebrate the significant contributions of entrepreneurs and small businesses to their communities and the entire Canadian economy.   Celebrated as Small Business Week since 1979, the event was expanded in 2006 to offer small business owners more opportunities to take advantage of events, seminars, and other resources as they come together to celebrate, learn, and network with other entrepreneurs.

Small businesses are the foundation of the Canadian economy. As of December 2018, there were 1.2 million employer businesses in Canada. Of these, 1.18 million (or 97.9%) were small businesses. Small businesses employed 8.4 million Canadians in 2018, or 69.9% of the total private labour force.

In Durham Region, entrepreneurs are fortunate to have the support and guidance of the Business Advisory Centre of Durham (BACD) to help them start and grow their business.  In recognition of Small Business Month, we sat down with Teresa Shaver, the Executive Director of the BACD, to discuss the value of local labour market information and other resources provided by the Durham Workforce Authority.   Check out the full video below.