Survey show Brantford, Haldimand-Norfolk Workers Want to Learn New Skills

A New Study Suggests Local Employees and Employers can Both be Doing More to Develop Work Skills, so that the needs of Both groups are Better Met.

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The Study is Timely, since More Focus is Being Put On the Need for the Skill Development of Workers, Says the WorkForce Planning Board of Grand Erie.

“Employers have said that they can’t find workers with the right skills and qualifying, and this has been a barrier for their hiring and growth,” Said Danette Dalton, The Planning Board’s Executive Director.

“We Wanted to Hear from Workers About Their Experience With Skills and Training, Including if they believe they are given training opportunities.

The Grand Erie WorkForce Skills and Training Survey Heard from 300 Employees and Job Seekers in Brantford, Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk Couties. The Study was supported by the Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

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Dalton Said The Findings Point To Some Key Differentés in the Experiences of Job Seekers versus Employers.

More than 50 per cent of workers Said they are interested in Additional Job Training, Professional Development Courses and Technical Skills Training. Yet, about 40 per hundred of respondents reported their managers donation encourages them to develop their skills. And onely half of respondents Said they were Told of Training Opportunities when they were hired.

Dalton Said Past Research Found Local Workers have been leaves Jobs because they feel they do the opportunity to use all their skills or to grow their skills.

“Employers can strengthen their ability to reduce quits by training their managers, Educating them about the numerous skill development programs available through industrial associations, employment ontario organizations and other trainers,” she said.

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The Survey also heard suggestions from respondent on how to improve access to skill development, with the top three being: providing online training, in-personal training during work hours, and programs that allow they to read their pace.

Respondents Said They Go Online to Learn New Skills, with 80 per cent Frequently Using Google and YouTube, While Less Than One in Three People Use More Formal Learning Tools, Such As Linkedin Learning, and only Five per cent Frequently Use Free Courses from public libraries.

“Job Seekers Can More Easily Knows To Employers That They Have Learned Certain Skills If they can show they are finished recognized online training programms,” Dalton Said. “There are so may great programs out there, included Many that are free and provides certificates or micro-credentials that look impressive on a resume.”

A report and infographic showing highlights from the Survey can be found on the planning board’s website workforceplanningboard.org/workForce-surveys

The WorkForce Planning Board is one of 26 Non-Profit Organizations in Ontario That Play A Leadership Role in Labour Force Planning in their Communities.

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