Business Retention and Expansion Study for Collingwood's Knowledge Base Sector

Overall Findings

WORKFORCE

Of the businesses interviewed, 48% report an increase in their employee numbers over the past three years, although 8% have seen a decrease within the same period. Overall, of the 81% who provided employee statistical data, the knowledge base sector employs a full-time labour force in excess of 550 persons.

Of those interviewed, 25% anticipate the labour force numbers will remain the same over the next three years. Another 67% of executives anticipate an increase over the same period as a result of:

• Increase in market share (47%) and sales (60%),

• Corporate decisions/policies (53%),

• Management effectiveness (53%),

• The introduction of new products/services (60%)

• Renovation and expansion (53%).

The availability of skilled local workers was assessed as “poor “ by 35% of the respondents, with only 17% assessing an “excellent” rating; the same as for the quality of the workforce. More than 35% of the Collingwood knowledge base sector report a “fair” level of stability with the local workforce, but identify they are having the greatest difficulty recruiting for the 58% of needed skilled industry specialist or trades, accounting for more than one hundred and twenty (120) potential jobs that could currently be available. Almost 200 jobs will become available within the next three years within industry specialists. This number does not consider other skilled or unskilled trades such as computer, or environmental technology or product/market development, general clerical or business administration areas.

The majority of employees receive customized (41%) or in-house (70%) training aside from the necessary professional designations. Key factors identified by knowledge base employers as being significant barriers to training include:

• Cost (38%)

• Distance to training facility (75%)

• Lack of local available training (56%)

• Inability to release employees (40%)

• Loss of productivity during the training period (25%)

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