OVERVIEW

The rapid change to industrial workplaces in Canada has been dramatically accelerated by COVID-19. To help the Manitoba manufacturers, CME has launched the Manufacturing Accelerator Program – or MAP initiative.

The Manufacturing Accelerator Program (or MAP initiative) is designed to help Manitoba’s manufacturers to become more globally competitive. Working with the Prairies Canada Economic Development Agency (PrairiesCan) and other key partners, the initiative will support individual companies and enhance the manufacturing network through advisory services, benchmarking assessments, and competency development to accelerate the competitiveness of Manitoba’s manufacturing sector.

Through MAP, individual manufacturers will receive customized roadmaps, tailored to their specific situation. Supports generally include:

  • Work with manufacturers to develop or renew corporate strategic planning
  • Provide a holistic, enterprise-wise assessment to determine areas of opportunity to better serve customers at home and around the world
  • Building on assessment results, work with companies to build an action plan to:
    • Enhance supplier capabilities and productivity through manufacturing digitalization
    • Adopt, refine and continue Lean journeys
    • Train existing and new employees to achieve skills and competencies required by business
    • Provide guidance in other areas such as sustainability, safety etc.
  •  Provide industry-wide networking opportunities to connect and educate procurement influencers, decision makers and policy makers
  • Compile the resources, tools and supports needed by manufacturers to achieve success including best practices from other jurisdictions

MAP PRIORITIES

SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT

While the pandemic significantly impacted many of Manitoba’s manufacturing sectors, those companies that were efficiently producing the right products using leading productivity and technologies actually improved their market position by a wide margin.

 

Still, many manufacturing sub-sectors sectors suffered because of broader supply chain issues that impacted either supply or delivery. Between supply chain problems, and trade protectionism from our biggest trade partner, the US, the manufacturing sector is being hit on multiple fronts.

 

As a number of recent studies have concluded, including CME’s COVID-19 Supply Chain Impact Study carried out with the support of the Vehicle technology Centre, developing resilient domestic and near shore supply chains as well as critical infrastructure for the movement of goods is fundamental to the continued success of the manufacturing sector.

ADVANCED DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

Advanced digital manufacturing is necessary in all manufacturing sectors and for business of all sizes. The digitalization of manufacturing processes goes far beyond the technologies on which most of the focus lies, beginning with the initial virtual design through simulation at all stages of the product life cycle to the marketing and user feedback that is necessary for product improvement.

 

Because Canada – Manitoba – significantly lag other developed nations in terms of business investment in technology and the labour force, an overarching conclusion consistent with global observations is that the digitalization of the manufacturing industry is a necessity if this critically important sector on which developed nations depend is to survive and thrive.

 

Read more about Innovation Trends in Canada

WORKFORCE SKILL AND COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT

Most manufacturing executives identify the lack of talent as their number one concern for business survivability in the future. That unease is growing with each year that passes. Canadian manufacturers cannot find the workers that they need to keep their business running.

 

The manufacturing workforce is aging, and COVID-19 is prompting many to make the decision to retire, taking with them manufacturing knowledge and ability to train new workers. What’s more, manufacturers across all sectors are having having difficulty attracting new entrants to the workforce.

 

Manufacturing needs competency development processes that appeal to younger workers and new entrants to the sector by providing work relevant learning experiences that fit with their perception of the world of work and enable incremental growth in skills throughout their careers.

WHY MAP?

ENHANCE MANITOBA MANUFACTURERS’ EFFORTS TO BECOME GLOBAL SUPPLIERS

ACCELERATE PRODUCTIVITY AND INVESTMENT THROUGH ADVANCED DIGITAL MANUFACTURING

DEVELOP THE SKILLS NEEDED AND ATTRACT NEW EMPLOYEES INTO THE INDUSTRY

ACCESS PROGRAMS

Over the next 12 months, CME will launch a number of new and existing initiatives along side our tried and tested programs already helping manufacturers grow their operations.

 

Complete the Get Involved form to stay in the loop on new programs in key MAP areas, or check out these existing programs and services to get started today:

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