Workforce

Meeting the increasing demands of employers for skilled workers is a top priority for the London Economic Development Corporation. In 2003, the LEDC created a Workforce portfolio and appointed Jeny Wallace as the Director of Workforce to facilitate activities around building the capacity of the local workforce so business concerns could be addressed. At that time, no other economic development organization had designated such a strategic role for Workforce within their organizations.

Since its creation, the Workforce portfolio has made significant progress in addressing local and area labour force issues. Activities to date include:

August 2003 development of www.goodmovelondon.com website and support documents to help businesses that are attracting talent from out side of London
October 2003 LEDC Workforce Survey and report to help identify issues employers are facing
March 2005 establishment of the London Workforce Development Taskforce
September 2004, release of the Workforce Strategy for London
September 2005 launch of the Experience Works resource kits for employers and older workers
January 2006 publication of the Recruitment Organizations in London providing details of over 60 organizations able to work with companies on recruitment needs
January 2007 commencement of the Enhancing HR Practices of SMEs project – a 3 year pilot project to assist small employers with best practice Human Resources
March 2007 launch of Global Talent resource kits for employers and newcomers
October 2007 release of the LEDC 2007 Workforce Survey
October 2007 development of www.londonworks.ca a dedicated website for employers and jobseekers
January 2008 inaugural Student-2-Business Networking Conference
December 2008 publication of the Creating Work Opportunities for Youth report with details of three recommended projects to enhance youth employment opportunities in London
April 2009 Technology & Manufacturing Salary Survey
May 2009 support to the London Contact Centre Association for the 2009 Spring Conference

Ongoing activities

Business Workforce Briefings: seminars where businesses provide details of their recruitment needs to those working with jobseekers
Temporary Foreign Worker seminars to help businesses understand the visa and immigration processes to bring workers into Canada
International Student seminars on options for work and immigration to Canada post-graduation
Support and involvement for the London-Middlesex Immigrant Employment Council
Student 2 Business Networking Conference held in January each year this event brings students from Fanshawe, Western, Brescia, Kings, Huron & Ivey together at the London Convention Centre to learn about London’s businesses, industry sectors and work options post-graduation. Students are joined by business and community members for a key-note address followed by the networking session