EMPLOYMENT NEWS

Some key findings and recommendations:

• Low pay, in some cases below the area’s living wage (about $19.80 per hour), is the No. 1 reason workers consider quitting their jobs

• The gap between how employees and employers perceive wages, career development and other factors suggests a need to strengthen communications within workplaces

• Businesses are encouraged to invest in leadership training to enhance the ability of managers to support quality of work and foster a positive work environment

• Businesses expressed a need for increased availability of mental health and wellness services in the community, as well as affordable skills training programs such as Skills2Advance

• Community agencies and business organizations (such as chambers of commerce) can support businesses by holding workshops to educate employers about quality of work and best practices

Mendes said the study can shine a spotlight on quality of work issues and lead to improvements for both employees and employers.

“There are opportunities for innovative thinking and strategies to enhance individuals’ quality of work, while also ensuring businesses have the motivated, productive and happy workforce they need to be successful,” Mendes said.

The Workforce Planning Board is holding a live webinar on Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, to summarize the findings of the Quality of Work study. Several Grand Erie employers will also talk about the innovative strategies they’ve used to elevate quality of work within their workplaces

Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register here.

The study was funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre, a forward-looking organization that prototypes, tests and measures new and innovative approaches to skills development across Canada.

“We are pleased to work with the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie on this important research that starts to uncover the types of supports the local workforce would find most beneficial to improving their quality of work,” says Tricia Williams, Director, Research, Evaluation and Knowledge Mobilization at the Future Skills Centre.

There’s still time to register for Salute to Brant Businesses!

Join the County of Brant on Thursday, September 21, 2023, for an evening of networking, awards celebrating business in Brant, local food and drink and a keynote address from guest speaker, Steve Duff. This year’s event will take place from 5 pm to 8:30 pm at the TF Warren Group Cainsville Community Centre, 15 Ewart Avenue in Cainsville. Tickets to attend are $20.00 per person. Don't miss out on what is sure to be a wonderful evening celebrating businesses in Brant!For more information, and to register online, please visit Brant.ca/Salute