Photo by B. Shakyaver
Discussions about the ongoing Workforce Project led by Huron County Economic Development raised some concerns about workforce challenges in the municipality at Bluewater Council’s meeting on Monday (April 17).
The conversation delved into various aspects of the project, emphasizing the critical need for skilled trades, community involvement, and strategic partnerships to address the county’s workforce challenges.
Councillor Tyler Hessel pointed to the discrepancy between median salaries for workers in the county, and the ever climbing price of real estate as a potential deterrent for attracting working populations to Huron County.
Councillor Peter Walden pointed out an obvious bias in the presentation and strategy’s bias toward lakeshore communities – a bias he said wasn’t warranted due to the massive economic driver that agriculture is within the county.
In conclusion, Worforce Coordinator Clara Leney indicated that workforce challenges extend well beyond Huron County and stressed the importance of employer support, community engagement, and long-term planning in addressing these issues.
She also made it clear – the complexity of the problem meant that it would extend well beyond the workforce project’s one year tenure.
Written by: B. Shakyaver
