Sector Overview
The Manufacturing and Food Processing Sector is a major driver of economic activity and employment in the Bay of Quinte Region. It makes up approximately half of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP). In addition to providing approximately 10,000 high quality local jobs, the sector utilizes state of the art technology and cultivates innovation, creativity and opportunities.
Advancing Change, Creating Hope, and Building Resilience
The Elevate Plus training program, a Skills Development Fund project, provides a sector based focus on Manufacturing that better align skills training and pre-employment preparation with employers’ needs by supporting partnerships that bring together sector-based employers with relevant employment and training providers. This program integrates comprehensive job-specific skills and “soft” skills with the direct participation of manufacturing and food processing employers in both delivery and program design.
Elevate Plus supports longer term unemployed and vulnerable Ontarians to access sustainable employment and succeed in the labour market as well as incumbent workforce development in the manufacturing and food processing sectors. The program is a joint collaboration between Quinte Economic Development Commission, Loyalist College, Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, companies in the manufacturing and food processing industry, and many community partners.
This model incorporates a number of important elements to address the challenges of those seeking employment by providing them with:
- Vocational training integrated with “soft” skills
- Workplace training co-designed with the manufacturing and food-processing industry
- Program graduates receive a certificate from Loyalist College
- No tuition fees for participants