The City of North Bay is launching a workforce attraction and retention initiative this fall to help local companies struggling to find workers.
In an Aug. 3 news release, the city said it’s taking a “multi-pronged approach” with this pilot initiative to provide guidance and tools for employers needing human resource assistance.
This two-year initiative builds off their already existing BR+E program. The workforce initiative will "involve development of tools and training for employers; deployment of HR expertise to work one-on-one with businesses; virtual job fairs and recruitment events, as well as increasing awareness of current resources."
Local consultations started in 2019 to better understand the needs of local firms and to identify ways of helping them remain competitive and grow.
“Recognizing the national workforce shortage is impacting our companies, we’ll be helping North Bay businesses tackle it with a local, customized solution,” Mayor Al McDonald in a statement.
“Although not unique to North Bay, workforce was identified in the BR+E report as a barrier to growth. Our Economic Development Department will be rolling out the Workforce Attraction and Retention Initiative in the fall as part of the implementation phase of the BR&E program recommendations.”
The city’s program was recently given an award by Business Retention and Expansion International, a professional organization of global economic development practitioners.
