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16 INVEST in BC 2 0 2 4 Official Publication of the BC Economic Development Association in special partnership with BCBusiness. Y oung people have a key role in shaping the future of manufacturing in Canada. They are the thinkers, inventors and leaders of the future, and they represent a new wave of energy, innovation and creativity that is crucial to driving change. Young people crave diverse work opportunities, stability, competitive salaries and the opportunity to make an impact with their work. They can find it all in manufacturing. With an emphasis on sustainability and a favourable perspective on mentorship, youth are the catalysts to propelling manufacturing into the newly charted territories of Industry 4.0. "Immersed in technology, young people bring a natural aptitude for innovation that can't be underestimated," says Julie Smith, Project Coordinator at EMC Canada. "Employers can leverage this essential workforce by empowering youth with education, embracing technology, focusing on sustainability and fostering leadership through mentorship." INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING Both federal and provincial governments are investing in integrated learning programs to develop manufacturing skills in youth, to build a strong workforce for tomorrow's industry and leverage the unique skillset youth brings to the table. "To harness this potential, manufacturers can align with future industry needs by helping to fill employment shortages today and propel progress in key areas," Smith says. WILWorks Skilled Trades in Advanced Manufacturing offers youth 15 to 29 introductory skills training and exposes participants to advanced manufacturing career pathways. Employers can customize the training to their organization's needs by selecting from a range of technical skills, including mechanical, electrical and machining. "The program is open to both new and current eligible employees not registered in apprenticeships, enhancing their technical skills and improving organizational communication through a better understanding of terminology, equipment operations and processes," Smith says. WILWorks Skilled Trades in Advanced Manufacturing supports employers with up to $5,000 in wage subsidies per eligible participant, funded in part by the Government of Canada's Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy. ESSENTIAL MENTORSHIP Manufacturing is a rapidly evolving sector, and mentorship programs are vital to bridging skills gaps, fostering innovation and enhancing employee retention. "Mentoring facilitates knowledge transfer from seasoned professionals to the leaders of tomorrow and vice versa," Smith says. "This promotes a culture of continuous learning and growth, and ensuring that invaluable industry insights are passed on to the next generation." WILWorks Skilled Trades in Advanced Manufacturing offers mentorship training for employers so they can actively invest in fostering youth careers in the manufacturing sector. All interested employers can reach out to Julie Smith, Project Coordinator, jsmith@emccanada .org or visit https://emccanada .org/wilworks to learn more. Connect on LinkedIn @Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium, Facebook @emccanada.org or X @EMCCanadaMFG UPSKILL YOUTH WITH INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAMS IN MANUFACTURING WILWorks Skilled Trades in Advanced Manufacturing builds the workforce, enhances retention and helps employers plan for succession BC Youth.indd 1 BC Youth.indd 1 2024-07-25 8:17 AM 2024-07-25 8:17 AM