NEWS RELEASE
FIRST OF ITS KIND DIGITAL PROGRAM LAUNCHED TO CONNECT JOB-SEEKERS AND BUSINESSES TO ADDRESS SKILLED WORKER SHORTAGE IN ONTARIO
Brantford, ON (October 20, 2022) - Edge Factor announced the launch of its latest initiative today, the WorkForce Excellence Program, in four Ontario communities. The program introduces new, free e-learning tools to celebrate skilled trades success stories, share best practices for apprenticeship programs, and connect students and job-seekers with employers in Brantford, Bruce-Grey Counties, Hamilton and Sudbury.
Edge Factor announced the official launch in Brantford, at Ferrero Canada, one of the companies featured in the WEP digital content. Edge Factor President and Founder, Jeremy Bout and Vice-President, Larissa Hofman were joined by Brantford–Brant MPP, Will Bouma and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Deepak Anand, for the announcement.
WEP uses the power of storytelling and smart technology to showcase real-life apprentices and apprenticeship programs in companies across the four communities, arming employers and job-seekers with the knowledge to enhance apprenticeship experiences.
At Rush Trucks, an Indigenous-owned automotive shop in Sudbury, we meet apprentice Joseph Dunton. In Brantford, we dip into the chocolatey goodness at Ferrero as we share Keith Anckaitis’s pathway into his industrial apprenticeship. At the women-owned Studio136 in Hamilton, Natasha York tells her apprenticeship story and in Niagara’s very own ProPack, Chinese immigrant Welson Wu shares his journey into the trades. As a bonus story, Brendan Crowe shares his apprenticeship journey at Walker Industries, a leader in the construction sector near Bruce-Grey Counties.
Each company is highlighted through an inspirational LaunchPoint episode that tells the apprentice’s success story, a Benchmark episode for businesses to learn best practices on how to launch and develop an effective apprenticeship program, a Geek Out episode that explains the technology and tools used by the apprentice, and a Soft Skills on the Job episode that covers important transferable skills, like communication and dependability.
All multimedia tools are accessible to schools, companies, families and service providers for FREE.
In addition to learning tools, WEP connects students and job-seekers with local apprenticeship and employment opportunities. Companies can promote who they are, what they do and the apprenticeships they offer, by creating a free account and adding a Company Profile and Apprenticeship Profiles on edgefactor.com. Later this fall, learners and job seekers will be able to complete pre-apprenticeship skills training badges and match with employers and opportunities based on their interest and skills.
“The WorkForce Excellence Program is an innovative, interactive initiative that leverages the art of storytelling to help job seekers see local opportunities and connect them with employers that are committed to building an effective employee base for the long term,” says Jeremy Bout, Edge Factor President and Founder. “In the years that we have been working in communities across Ontario, we have heard from educators and parents who are concerned about future employment prospects for their children. By supporting employers in sharing their experience building extraordinary and comprehensive apprenticeship programs, we are helping participants, especially students, see themselves in meaningful careers that provide strong earning-potential for the long-term, and ultimately strengthening Ontario’s workforce.”
“Our province is facing the biggest labour shortage in a generation and we need all hands on deck to tackle it,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government will continue to invest in innovative programs like Edge Factor’s that connect jobseekers with local employers and purpose-driven careers.”
“Addressing the general labour shortage is a challenge that is best tackled on multiple fronts” said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “Partnering with innovators like Edge Factor and their platform along with early adopters like Ferrero is the type of thinking that will come a long way to address some of the challenges we are facing today.”
Funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development through its Skills Development Fund, WEP’s mission is to help address the ongoing shortage of skilled workers in the province. Offering a robust online platform, WEP enhances pathways into meaningful and gainful employment and addresses challenges faced by those with higher barriers to entry such as youth, women, Indigenous peoples and new immigrants.
Employers can register for the WorkForce Excellence Program and set up their profiles starting today.
About Edge Factor
Edge Factor’s smart platform and story-driven tools inspire people to explore, prepare, and connect on their career journey. Together with schools, companies, and service providers, we empower learners of all ages to discover careers and get connected to real-world opportunities. Since 2010, Edge Factor has been a leading developer in building interactive e-learning tools for schools, companies, families, and community, workforce and economic development organizations. To learn more about Edge Factor, please visit edgefactor.com.
For more information contact:
Emma Hunt
Director of Strategic & Business Communications, Sutherland Corporation Ltd.
Larissa Hofman
Vice-President, Edge Factor
