County partners obtain provincial funding for workforce development training
County partners obtain provincial funding for workforce development training
For release January 22, 2025
For release January 22, 2025
Picton, ON – The community-led initiative Thrive PEC has received $65,000 through the Rural Economic Development (RED) matched grant program for a total of $130,000 to support the creation of workforce development training.
Workforce development was one of the nine visionary priorities identified after a year of community conversations and asset mapping. This project supported through the RED program is the first initiative undertaken by Thrive PEC in response to the extensive community consultation.
Thrive PEC is an outcome of participating in the 12-month national pilot project launched by the Shorefast Foundation. The main goal of the project is to foster a prosperous local economy that best serves the people, nature and culture in local places. Thrive PEC is represented by three primary partners: The County Foundation, the County of Prince Edward, and Community Futures Development Corporation of Prince Edward Lennox Addington.
"Growth and development in Prince Edward County over the next five years promises to create many employment opportunities for our local residents. It's critical that they have the skills and support they need to take advantage of this potential," Mayor Steve Ferguson says. "That's why we are thrilled to work with our Thrive PEC partners on this project with support from the Government of Ontario through the Rural Economic Development program.
“We know through our Vital Signs reporting that quality jobs in Prince Edward County continue to be a going concern, with PEC’s median income of $75,573 lagging behind the Provincial median of $84,092 and the working age population (age 15-64) continuing to decline. The workforce development training through this funding and the ongoing work of the Community Benefits Network is critical to supporting the job market, particularly skilled trades.” Dominique Jones, Executive Director, The County Foundation
"Community Futures is proud to continue to provide our thought leadership, networking skills, and organization’s backing to Thrive PEC. We are committed to supporting and investing in the success and development of Prince Edward County and Thrive PEC is an important part of our commitment, in addition to providing strategic advice and capital to entrepreneurs and innovators," Brad Quinn, Chair of the Board of Directors of Community Futures.
With the RED funding, Thrive PEC will work with the Prince Edward Learning Centre to create a framework that will outline ways in which the Community Benefits Network (CBN) can work with developers to ensure neighbours, and the broader community, can benefit from developments in their area. This work will include the creation of a workforce development training program which will ensure local residents can learn the skills required to work on construction projects in their community.
"The project will focus on local participants accessing pre-apprenticeship and construction training, as well as wrap-around support to help participants with things like childcare, transportation, and other barriers to employment they might be experiencing. This is a pilot where we will have the opportunity to work closely with the construction sector on their workforce needs, learn from the pilot, and create training that supports the sector, and supports residents to attain long-term employment with various pathways into construction and apprenticeships." Kathy Kennedy, Executive Director, PELC.
The Community Benefits Network brings together businesses, organizations and individuals with the goal of creating a community benefits framework for public and private development to promote positive community outcomes amidst growth and development. Two public sessions were held in early 2024 in addition to a community survey and a number of stakeholder meetings with various community organizations. These consultations are informing a framework that will be introduced to the public in the coming months.
If you have questions or comments regarding the Community Benefit Network, please contact Christine Durant, Program Coordinator, 613 476 1811 ext. 105 or by email at christine.durant@pelc.ca
