It is anticipated that over the next 15 years Ontario will experience a shortage of over 100,000 trade’s workers in the manufacturing sector. For the Lennox and Addington county this will have a devastating affect on the local economy if the issue is not addressed immediately.

To help promote the manufacturing sector Goodyear, St. Lawrence College, along with Loyalist College has partnered up to create a mechanical training program held at Loyalist College. Six students in the electrical program will be chosen to participate in the program and offered an employment at Goodyear.

To help offset the costs, Goodyear applied for the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP), which is administered through the Prince Edward/Lennox & Addington Community Futures Development Corporation (PELA CFDC).

The EODP provides grants to various organizations and companies to assist in economic development in a number of categories. Goodyear qualified to receive $12,500 under the Skills Development category. These funds will be used to purchase the necessary equipment such as toolboxes, welding uniforms, welding gloves and goggles, and other safety equipment.

“Keeping companies like Goodyear in our community is important” says Justin Manlow, EODP administrator. “Currently they employ 680 fulltime employees. To lose them because of a lack of a skilled labour pool would be a critical blow. We already see this happening in southern Ontario with Deere & CO moving to Mexico resulting in over 800 jobs lost. This is why programs like this are supported, not only will it benefit Goodyear but L&A as a whole.”

To learn more about PELA CFDC and its grass roots approach to economic development or the EODP program and how you can apply for next year’s funding, please contact one of our friendly staff at either location in Picton or Napanee. You can also visit us at www.pelacfdc.ca.