Workforce WindsorEssex launches EV Toolkit

The toolkit provides recommendations for supporting ongoing and new strategies, and tangible resources for community partners to implement

WINDSOR, ON, March 5, 2024 via Workforce WindsorEssex – Today, Workforce WindsorEssex launched its EV Sector Talent Development, Attraction, and Retention Toolkit at ENWIN Utilities. This resource imparts direction for community partners and decisionmakers, providing foresight and supporting evidence to lead changes that proactively address talent development, attraction and, retention strategies for Windsor-Essex’s growing EV sector.

Supported through an Ontario Labour Market Partnership grant from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the resource is divided into two main components. The first is the Guide for EV Sector Talent Development, Attraction, and Retention in Windsor-Essex, a data-rich report that provides recommendations for community partners to help support the ongoing growth of the region’s EV sector by providing a robust talent pipeline through talent development, attraction, and retention strategies. The second is a toolkit of resources for community partners to help support the recommendations made in the written guide. These resources are the culmination of the collaborative work and input gathered through the EV Industry Support Committee, comprised of community partners and decisionmakers representing Windsor-Essex’s EV sector.

The Guide for EV Sector Talent Development, Attraction, and Retention in Windsor-Essex provides an overview of the region’s recent EV sector growth and identifies opportunities to create new and support existing talent development, attraction, and retention strategies. These strategies are aimed toward supporting a robust and available talent pipeline to sustain EV sector growth into the future. The report provides recommendations for community partners and decision makers to help support a sustainable EV sector talent base.

Recommendations include:

• Leveraging newcomer and immigrant populations
• Promoting women in automotive
• Increasing collaboration between industry and service providers (building more upskilling and training options and alternatives)
• Further outreach to students and parents
• Establishing effective succession planning strategies
• Greater information sharing with the community
• This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

QUOTES

“The Windsor-Essex region is experiencing unprecedented growth in its EV sector, and we anticipate this growth to continue into the foreseeable future. To support the transition to electrification, we need to utilize our experienced automotive and workforce, as well as develop, attract, and retain talent to fill new jobs. The EV Sector Talent Development, Attraction, and Retention Toolkit provides decision makers and community partners with the resources they need to help ensure we have a steady base of available and qualified talent for roles in the EV sector. Workforce WindsorEssex is pleased to release this toolkit and are excited to see how the Windsor-Essex region will evolve under the new wave of electrification.” – Corey Shenken, Special Projects Lead, Workforce WindsorEssex

“With Windsor-Essex forecasted to have the strongest economic growth across Canada and one of the fastest growing EV supply chains in the North America, it is critical to ensure an adequate and skilled workforce to sustain the momentum. Workforce WindsorEssex’s new EV Sector Talent Development, Attraction and Retention Toolkit equips our community with data-rich insights and tangible resources that foster collaboration and informed decision-making toward workforce development. This toolkit complements the regional talent strategy and will help empower our workforce to support the cutting-edge world of electric vehicle production.” – Jessica McCarthy, Talent Attraction Specialist, Invest WindsorEssex

“As Ontario leads the world in electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing, our government is proud to work with our partners to ensure workers have the opportunities and skills to thrive in this rapidly growing sector. That is why we’re supporting Workforce WindsorEssex, through an Ontario Labour Market Partnership grant, to create a guide and toolkit to help attract, retain, and develop skilled workers for well-paying, in-demand careers.” – Hon. David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

VIEW THE TOOLKIT HERE