Curious about what local employers are really saying about today’s labour market?

In the latest edition of the Workforce Weekly Update Podcast, CFWD Executive Director Sandi Ramsay shares key insights from the recent Employer Action Survey, featuring both quantitative and qualitative data from more than 80 employers across Hastings, Prince Edward, and Lennox & Addington counties.

The survey captures voices from a wide range of sectors — including not-for-profits, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, retail, skilled trades, first responders, military, and regulated professions.

As we analyzed the results, several clear themes emerged — and they matter for employers, job seekers, educators, and community leaders alike.

🎧 Tune in to hear what we’re learning, what trends are shaping our regional workforce, and what it means for the months ahead.

As winter tightens its grip across Ontario, are you and your team prepared for the challenges it brings? From icy sidewalks to slippery roads, workplace safety is more important than ever.

Check out this Workforce Weekly Update Podcast from the Centre for Workforce Development: “Braving the Winter: Safety, Support and Appreciation Across Ontario’s Workplaces.”

Learn practical tips for employers and workers, hear appreciation for our essential winter heroes, and get insights on building safer, more resilient workplaces this season.

In this episode of CFWD’s Workforce Weekly Update, host Sandi Ramsay, Executive Director of the Centre for Workforce Development (CFWD), shares key insights from the 2025 Constructing Careers Survey, conducted in Fall 2025 in collaboration with the Quinte Home Builders Association.

This regional study explores workforce gaps and emerging opportunities in the residential construction and home-building sector across Hastings, Prince Edward, and Lennox & Addington counties.

What employers told us was clear: the work is there — but the workers are harder to find and even harder to keep.

Sandi unpacks what construction employers are experiencing on the ground, including ongoing recruitment and retention pressures, changing skill needs, and the growing importance of attraction, training, and retention strategies. The episode highlights what these findings mean for employers, job seekers, educators, and workforce partners working to strengthen the region’s construction labour force.

Whether you’re planning for the 2026 building season or shaping workforce strategies for the long term, this episode offers practical, locally grounded insight into the realities facing Ontario’s residential construction sector today.

As artificial intelligence continues to dominate conversations about the future of work, many people fear widespread job displacement. But new evidence tells a different story.

In this episode of Workforce Weekly, host Sandi Ramsay, Executive Director of the Centre for Workforce Development (CFWD), unpacks key insights from Randstad Canada’s Labour Market Outlook Report (December 10, 2025). The research points to a more urgent and growing challenge for employers and communities alike: closing Canada’s widening skills gap.

Sandi explores what this shift means for employers, job seekers, educators, and workforce partners across Hastings, Prince Edward, and Lennox & Addington counties — and why focusing on skills development, upskilling, and workforce adaptability is now more critical than ever.

Whether you’re planning for 2026 or navigating hiring pressures today, this conversation offers timely insight into where the labour market is really headed — and how we can prepare.

Your Workforce Weekly Update is hosted by Sandi Ramsay, Executive Director of the Centre for Workforce Development (CFWD), and delivers timely insights on labour market trends, workforce challenges, and the people who keep our region moving forward.

In this special seasonal episode, Sandi offers Season’s Greetings while pausing to recognize the thousands of workers across our communities who continue to show up during the holidays, often behind the scenes, so others can rest, celebrate, and spend time with family. It’s a moment of gratitude, reflection, and appreciation for the essential contributions that sustain our local economy year-round.

CFWD is thrilled to highlight a powerful, free tool that’s helping both jobseekers and employers across our region: the EmployNext Job Tool powered by Serco, is now available by visiting our website homepage at CFWD.ca!

Whether you’re looking for work or looking for new employees, EmployNext has you covered with easy, centralized access to personalized employment services — all at zero cost to you!

Listen now and learn more!

Check out CFWD's 2025 Local Labour Market Plan...now available online at CFWD.ca! Each year, our organization leads the charge in gathering critical data and insights that tell the story of our region’s workforce.

CFWD’s 2025 Local Labour Market Plan dives deep into:

• Emerging employment trends,
• Shifts in key industries,
• Current and future skills needs,
• Workforce challenges like recruitment and retention,
• Actionable recommendations to support a sustainable local workforce into the future.

Listen now to learn more!

If you’re a student or a young adult looking for a fantastic summer opportunity to build your skills and gain real-world experience, you’re going to want to listen closely because we’re excited to announce that the Centre for Workforce Development is hiring a Full-Time, Seasonal Administrative Assistant as part of the Canada Summer Jobs Program!

Today, I’m excited to welcome back Victoria Watts, Business Growth and Retention Specialist for the City of Belleville. Victoria is here to chat about an exciting event happening in Belleville that’s geared to sparking student and job seeker interest in skilled trades and technology careers! It's the Skills Ontario Trades & Tech Truck Event! 

Welcome to Your Workforce Weekly Update! I’m Sandi Ramsay, Executive Director of the Centre for Workforce Development, and in this episode, we’re exploring the vital role of education, skills training, and career support in shaping brighter futures. I’m thrilled to be joined by Christine Durant, Program Coordinator with the Prince Edward Learning Centre (PELC) - an organization dedicated to empowering individuals through education, training, and employment services. Christine shares insights into the transformative programs PELC offers and how they’re helping people gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s workforce. 🎧 Tune in to learn how education and workforce development go hand in hand to create real opportunities!