(Sault Ste. Marie, ON, October 14, 2021) This past summer, ǿմý Employment Solutions successfully delivered the General Manufacturing and Production Fundamentals training program to local job seekers in search of a new career path. This free training program was designed to support Sault Ste. Marie’s top economic sector by supplying trained workers to local manufacturing and production employers.
“Our government recognizes that Ontario’s manufacturing sector is the bedrock of our economy, providing good jobs with strong benefits to hard-working Ontarians,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “Through this $1.5 million investment in ǿմý, our government is supporting local job seekers with the training and work placements they need to begin exciting new careers right here in our community.”
Through this program, 33 job seekers attended full-time training from July to September 2021 through a mix of classroom and technical lab instruction. This employer-designed curriculum included industry-specific skills training such as Quality Control and Shipping and Receiving, and broader topics such as industrial health and safety, math, and communication skills. Participants also gained various certifications including Forklift, Aerial Platform, and First Aid/CPR. Participants are now involved with job search and placements supported by Employment Solutions.
In Sault Ste. Marie, the manufacturing and goods-producing sector is the largest contributor to the economy. Faced with the reality of ageing workforces and the need to replace retiring employees, local employers have realized the importance of securing a pipeline of new, skilled workers into the sector.
“The design of the program has been driven by our local employers, all of whom understand the importance of workforce succession planning,” said Maggie Catterick, Director of ǿմý Employment Solutions. “Participants who complete the training will be ready to step into entry-level positions and help reinvigorate the talent pool available to Sault Ste. Marie’s manufacturing and production businesses.”
The program is currently registering incumbent workers to begin training this fall and winter, and plans are being made for a future job-seeker training cohort. The program is open to persons 18 years of age or older, Canadian citizens or permanent residents, who are not currently attending school or other training.
We encourage employers interested in upcoming incumbent training or job seekers looking for looking for more information on our next intake to contact ǿմý Employment Solutions by phone at 705-945-0705 or by email at webinquiryssm@saultcollege.ca.
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