People & Skills

Canada's highly skilled workforce continues to be an ongoing strength and a source of competitive advantage for Canadian manufacturers. This status will be challenged in the years ahead by a confluence of factors, such as: changing demographics, including an aging workforce and increasing immigration; regulatory changes; competition from emerging markets; competition for talent; pressure on training and education budgets; economic uncertainty; technology advances; and, a persistent gap in essential skill levels. Employers must be prepared for these changes and adapt through investment and workforce innovation.

CME is providing programs, best practices and strong advocacy on the topics that matter most to our members:

• Best practices and other programs for hiring, training and retaining
• Policies, tools and programs for compliance
• Health and safety
• HR policy, legislation and regulation

Support Programs

CME is proud to offer a suite of support programs to help businesses address challenges associated with employment and skills:

Business Takes Action
Business Takes Action (BTA) is a Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters initiative aimed at promoting the benefits of hiring qualified persons with disabilities to meet skill shortages. Funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, through the Employment Innovations Fund, BTA is mandated to ensure that organizations are equipped with up-to-date information on policy, legislation and tools to achieve excellence in accessibility and accommodation.

Centre for Workplace Skills
The Centre for Workplace Skills (CWS) is an independent, national organization led by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters and The Canadian Labour Congress and funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program. CWS brings together business, labour and other groups with an interest in workplace skills development in order to promote effective practices in workplace learning.

Employers' Advocacy Council
The Employers' Advocacy Council (EAC) is a non-profit organization that takes great pride in being the leading source of information, training and advocacy on workplace safety insurance. EAC provides its members with the tools and knowledge required to become leaders in the fields of prevention and disability management, and is an initiative of CME.

Essential Skills through Safety & Health
Essential Skills through Safety and Health (ESSH) is an innovative, nationwide project, designed to demonstrate the business case and deliver tools for embedding literacy and core skills in health and safety training. ESSH is facilitated by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, and is funded by the Government of Canada's Office of Literacy and Essential Skills.

Online LEAN training from Arizona State University
CME and the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State University are collaborating to offer a portfolio of professional development programs for CME members. You will have the opportunity to learn new tools, methods, and strategies to contribute towards operational excellence goals and objectives, along with developing your personal knowledge and skills. Programs are offered through on-line "anytime-anywhere" delivery and classroom formats, and can also be customized for on-site delivery.