Northern Sunrise County, Town of Peace River, and Lac Cardinal Economic Development have received $250,000 in funding for a Workplace Planning Project.
Northern Sunrise County economic development officer Lynn Florence says the funds were received in part from the Government of Canada through the Canada-Alberta Workforce Tariff Response Agreement.
“The application was through Alberta’s Labour Market Partnership (LMP) program under the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration,” says Florence.
“The funding supports regional workforce planning initiatives that help communities better understand labour shortages, future workforce demands, and strategies to attract and retain workers.”
The three groups will be working together to develop a Workforce Planning Grant project that will aim to strengthen workforce readiness and support long-term economic growth across the region.
“The region shares many of the same workforce challenges, including skilled labour shortages, youth outmigration, housing pressures, and difficulty attracting workers to rural communities,” explains Florence.
“By partnering together, the municipalities can take a regional approach to workforce development, share resources and research, and create stronger long-term strategies that benefit the entire region rather than working independently.”
Florence explains the project will focus on supporting skilled trades and emerging industries, improving employee attraction and retention strategies, and preparing the region for projected and future economic opportunities.
“This project is an important step toward ensuring our communities are prepared for future growth and investment opportunities,” says NSC Reeve Claude Rodrigue.
“Our region continues to face challenges related to workforce shortages, youth retention, and population stagnation. This partnership will help us better understand the needs of employers while creating strategies to attract workers, retain local talent, and support sustainable economic development.”
Florence adds the project will help to prepare the region for potential industrial growth opportunities in energy, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and supporting service sectors.
“This funding allows the region to complete detailed labour market research and engage directly with employers, industries, educational institutions, and residents to better understand workforce gaps,” Florence says.
“The project will help identify priority sectors, forecast future labour needs, and develop practical strategies focused on attraction, retention, training, housing, and community readiness to support economic growth.”
Florence adds the funding will primarily help the group hire professional consultants and coordinators to conduct labour market analysis, workforce forecasting, stakeholder engagement, employer surveys, and strategic planning.
“The project will include meetings with businesses and industries, data collection and analysis, community consultations, and the development of a regional workforce strategy with actionable recommendations for municipalities and employers,” she says.
“A portion of the funding will also support the implementation of select actionable recommendations identified through the project, helping communities begin addressing workforce challenges through regional collaboration, attraction and retention initiatives, employer supports, and workforce development activities.”
The project is expected to start this summer.
Florence says the team is currently reviewing proposals to hire a consultant to begin work.
“The consultant contract is anticipated to continue through the end of this year, with the economic development officers from the partnering municipalities continuing to work collaboratively on implementing and advancing the regional workforce strategy in the years following the project,” she says.
“Our communities have experienced stagnant population growth for many years, and this initiative creates an opportunity to attract investment, retain youth, support local businesses, and strengthen community services,” she adds.
“The project will help position the region to respond proactively to future industrial development opportunities while ensuring communities are prepared with the workforce and supports needed for growth.”
Florence says the region is starting to prepare for potential impacts and opportunities associated with the proposed nuclear development projects and the economic and population growth that could result from major industrial investment in the area.
“In addition, many of our traditional industries are currently facing uncertainty related to tariffs and changing global markets, making workforce planning, economic diversification, and regional resilience more important than ever for the long-term sustainability of our communities,” concludes Florence.
Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter