Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie

03/04/2026

🍽️ Eat & Drink Norfolk returns April 9-11, 2026, at the Norfolk County Fairgrounds! This award-winning, Top 100 Ontario event brings together our region's best restaurants, breweries, wineries, and specialty food producers for an unforgettable weekend of local flavors and live music.

Tickets and tables are on sale now! Secure yours today to support our local producers at https://buff.ly/JSSnp8j 🎟️

02/04/2026

LAST CALL to join Epic Jobs 2026! 🚨🛠️

Time is running out to secure a spot for the premier career exploration event on May 21st. We are looking for exhibitors and sponsors to help spark a career-defining moment for over 2,000 local students at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.

Don't miss your chance to:
🛠️ Exhibit ($250): Host an interactive station and connect directly with the next generation. We provide the power, tables, chairs, and meals for your team.

🌟 Sponsor: Amplify your brand as a Champion, Advocate, or Ally. All tiers include your exhibitor fee and premium event visibility.

Whether you're demonstrating a trade or sponsoring the experience, you are bridging the gap between education and local industry. Spaces are nearly gone, so secure yours today at https://buff.ly/gM9BEJ5! 🔗

01/04/2026

NEWS: The 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario outlines a strategic vision to build a self-reliant economy while supporting long-term prosperity. Key highlights of the plan include attracting new opportunities and lowering costs for local businesses, keeping life affordable, and investing in the vital public services that sustain our communities.

Read the full budget at https://buff.ly/sGXTpWA 📊

31/03/2026

visit skills2advance.com/construction for more!

Applications are officially OPEN for our new program, Skills2Advance Construction! 🪚

This no-cost program is designed to take you from the classroom to the job site in just 18 weeks. Our first cohort kicks off on May 4th 2026, and we want you to be a part of it!

What you’ll get:
🛠️ 10 Weeks of Training: Hands-on instruction in carpentry and welding at SNP Brantford, with a focus on modular home building
💰 8-Week Paid Placement: Earn while you learn with a local employer and gain real-world experience
📜 In-Demand Certifications: Graduate with your CWB welding qualification, Forklift license, Working at Heights, and more
✨ Full Support: Includes a training stipend, job search assistance, and connections to apprenticeships

Space is limited for our May start, so don't wait to build the foundation for a better career!

🔗 Apply now at skills2advance.com/construction
📞 Questions? Call us at 519-756-1116 ext. 223

27/03/2026

The countdown is on... Epic Jobs 2026 is only two months away! ⏳

With May 21st quickly approaching, we are entering the final stretch for local businesses to join us at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. There is only a month left to secure your place and ensure your brand is front and centre for over 2,000 students exploring their future careers 🛠️

Why join us as an Exhibitor or Sponsor?
⚡️ Full Support: We provide the power, tables, and chairs you need for your indoor or outdoor interactive display.
☕️ Hospitality: Your team will enjoy a continental breakfast and lunch on us while you engage with the community.
👀 Maximum Visibility: Gain direct exposure to thousands of students, educators, and local families.
🌟 Sponsorship Perks: Partner as a Champion, Advocate, or Ally to unlock premium signage and social media features, all while covering your exhibitor fee.

🔗 Spaces are close to reaching capacity... register today to ensure your organization is represented at https://buff.ly/gM9BEJ5

26/03/2026

2026 Salute to Brant Nominations are live! 🏆

We are excited to share a fantastic opportunity for our community partners in the County of Brant. This annual event is a premier gathering of local business leaders, community influencers, and industry experts, and a time to celebrate the incredible achievements that drive our regional economy forward.

Nominations are now open for five distinct categories:
♿ Accessible Brant Award
🚜 Brant Farms For All Agriculture Award
💡 Brant Works Innovation Award
☀️ Good Times in Brant
🌱 Our Future Brant Sustainability Award

🔗 Submit your nominations and learn more at https://buff.ly/ael9Kx5

25/03/2026

One month left to sign up as an Epic Jobs 2026 Exhibitor! 🚀

With only two months until we take over the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre on May 21st, spaces are filling up fast. This is your chance to put your organization in the eyes of 2,000+ local students and inspire the next generation of talent 🛠️

Why join us?
🌟 Interactive Impact: Showcase your trade with a hands-on indoor or outdoor booth.
🤝 Full Support: We provide the power, tables, and chairs you need to succeed.
☕️ Hospitality: Your team stays fuelled with a continental breakfast and lunch on us.

Don't miss out on the premier career exploration event of the year. Secure your spot today at https://buff.ly/9yYY0UT 🔗

24/03/2026

The 2026 Summer Company Grant Program is rolling out the red carpet for aspiring young entrepreneurs like YOU! Norfolk youth could snag up to $3,000 to kickstart their very own business this summer. Yes – real cash to help you become your own boss. https://buff.ly/CXxePeM

24/03/2026

Welcome to the final episode of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie’s Employer Engagement Series. In this episode, we sit down with Carla Aitken and Phil Cline to discuss the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program and the unique value it brings to the local business community 🤝

The SHSM program allows high school students to earn their Ontario Secondary School Diploma while focusing their learning on a specific economic sector. For employers, this program creates a pipeline of young talent who graduate with specialized industry certifications and training already in hand. We explore how businesses can engage with these motivated students through co-op placements and experiential learning, helping to shape the next generation of your workforce 🌟

Discover how your organization can partner with local schools to mentor students and build a stronger, more skilled talent pool for the future of Grand Erie at https://buff.ly/KQgJCsz 🔗
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board & Grand Erie District School Board

23/03/2026

NEWS: The local jobless rate dropped last month as participation declined further. The unemployment rate in Brantford-Brant dropped to 7.9% in February, down 0.8 percentage points from January 📊

Read more at https://workforceplanningboard.org/local-unemployment-drops-as-participation-declines-in-februa/ 🔗

20/03/2026

The 2026 Local Labour Market Plan, "All Hands on Deck," is now live! 🌊

Our region is currently navigating a period of economic "rough seas," with shifting business confidence and a changing landscape for job seekers. This year’s report provides a realistic look at these challenges and, more importantly, a call for collective action to address them.

🛠️ For Job Seekers: A focus on "future-proofing" your career with adaptable skills like creative thinking and digital confidence to stay competitive.
📊 For Employers: Encouraging collaboration, including innovative ideas like job sharing, to fill skill gaps and maintain a strong workforce during hiring lulls.
🤝 For the Region: Strengthening the bridge between education and local industry to ensure our workforce is ready for the opportunities ahead.

This plan is designed to help every corner of our region weather the storm together. Read the full report and explore our recommendations at https://buff.ly/d2oDSx2 🔗

19/03/2026

Help us build the foundation for our future workforce at Epic Jobs 2026! 🌟🏗️

We are seeking community-minded sponsors to help deliver a high-impact experience for over 2,000 Grade 7 and 8 students at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre on May 21st, 2026. Your support is more than just a donation; it directly funds the equipment and resources needed to give students a hands-on introduction to the skilled trades and spark interest in local career paths 🛠️

👀 High Visibility: Gain premium brand exposure through event signage, our website, and dedicated social media features.
🤝 Inclusive Perks: Choose from our Champion, Advocate, or Ally tiers — all of which include your $250 exhibitor fee so you can also engage with students directly.
⚡️ Community Impact: Play a vital role in bridging the gap between education and regional industry.

🔗 View the full sponsorship packages and sign up on the Epic Jobs page of our website at https://buff.ly/9yYY0UT