The Community Action for Workforce Development program is an initiative funded by the Government of Canada through the Community Workforce Development Program.
It piloted intersectional, community-led workforce planning models in three rural communities across Canada, including Arnprior.
The local coordinator is Ro Nwosu.
A trifecta of objectives included supporting economic diversification strategies that take action on climate change and contribute to clean growth, while creating training and work placements in the process.
In each community, the process engaged small and medium enterprises from a range of industries and sectors as well as relevant community-based organizations and public agencies.
Ro says the Community Action website solicited survey responses in three categories.
Her personal assessment?
In addition to the data collection, Community Action Arnprior ran a number of high profile events over the January 2024 to April 2024 time-frame, including “Sundays at Mallard’s Milk Bar” on different occasions.
Is there a next step in the process?
Our AI co-pilot tells us that while much of the data remains in the compilation stage, there have been demonstrated successes from the initiative.
The Green Energy Apprenticeship Program provided hands-on experience in solar panel installation, wind turbine maintenance, and energy efficiency audits, leading to creation of some permanent jobs.
The Community Food Hub connected farmers, producers and consumers, improving access to local fresh food while creating jobs in distribution, marketing, and food education.
These success stories demonstrate the positive impact of community-led initiatives on both economic development and environmental sustainability.
Nwosu would like to upsell the initiative for even greater positive results.
The Community Action Network website is now dormant, but Ro directs us to her own corporate site for those wishing some follow-up.
The initiative was run in partnership with CCEDNET, The Canadian Community Economic Development Network.
We’re nearing the end of our audio highlight reel, so let’s roll the credits
And one positive last word!
By Rick Stow