December 2025 News Bulletin | | The NL Workforce Innovation Centre (NLWIC) team hit the road again to attend and participate in as many relevant events across Newfoundland and Labrador in addition to travelling to Toronto for an exciting event to engage with partners in the workforce development ecosystem. Dedicated to fostering innovation in workforce development, we are delighted to connect with local stakeholders, share insights, and gather valuable feedback. | | |
The highlight for the NLWIC team was travelling to Toronto to attend the prestigious Magnet Network Live MAPLE & Gold Awards Gala. NLWIC’s Director, Sharon McLennon, and Public Relations Specialist, Lana Roestenberg, attended the prestigious event which was held on November 6th, 2025. They were joined by College of the North Atlantic's (CNA's) Annette Morey, VP Finance and Administration, and Heidi Staeben-Simmons, AVP Public Affairs and Advancement, for the remarkable event held in the vibrant Toronto Distillery District. The Gala celebrated excellence in Canadian workforce development, and NLWIC was honored to be nominated in the Collaboration Catalyst category. While the Award was ultimately presented to the Saint John Newcomer Centre, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to them and fellow nominee CiviConnect.
The event was a fantastic showcase of the Magnet at Toronto Metropolitan University community, highlighting the importance of collaboration in transforming the workforce development ecosystem. NLWIC remains committed to being a catalyst for collaboration, inspired by the opportunities Magnet provides to share and enhance our mandate for workforce innovation. Thank you to everyone who supports our mission. Together, this experience reinforces that NLWIC can continue to contribute to the improvement of employment, employability, and entrepreneurship with our collaborators across our province and beyond!
| | (L-R: Heidi Staeban-Simmons. Annette Morey, Lana Roestenberg, Sharon McLennon) | | Experiences like this highlight the value of staying connected with our community and labour market stakeholders and partners. NLWIC Director Sharon McLennon and Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator Susanne Dawe continued to stay connected with partners in the Corner Brook region by attended the Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade’s November Business Luncheon on November 13, 2025. They heard MP Richard Bragdon speak about the importance of rural Canada, the value of increasing Canadian self-reliance, and his thoughts on the future of rural communities and their potential to support Canada’s prosperity. Overall, it was a valuable opportunity to network and build meaningful connections with fellow professionals across the region, while enjoying a great meal. | |
NLWIC's ongoing commitment to collaboration and supporting workforce development and innovation prompted Public Relations Specialist Lana Roestenberg to attend a special event "A Fresh Start: Breakfast with WRDC" hosted by Women in Resource Development Corporation (WRDC) to celebrate an exciting milestone - the unveiling of a new name and brand: Equiforce. The organization has long been a powerful champion for women in skilled trades and technology, breaking down barriers and creating pathways to meaningful careers. At the event, they introduced FastTrackHER, a new pilot program that offers a fresh update to their long-standing Orientation to Trades and Technology (OTT) program, delivered through WRDC’s previous employment assistance services (EAS). NLWIC was pleased to provide funding for WRDC to collaborate and serve as the evaluator for their EAS and career development programming as one of 20 NLWIC-funded research projects. Completed in 2020, the project Evaluating the Short and Long Term Impacts of WRDC’s Employment Assistance Services and Career Development Programming confirmed that their programs helped reduce barriers for women pursuing careers in trades or technology. This new step toward becoming Equiforce builds on that strong foundation while opening the door to a more diverse and resilient workforce for Newfoundland and Labrador.
The energy in the room reflected a shared optimism: people, employers, and industries across the province have a brighter future ahead. With renewed focus on workforce development and innovation, Equiforce is poised to make an even greater impact in shaping the labour landscape. Lana extended NLWIC's warmest congratulations to the entire Equiforce team on this transformative step. The team is excited to see how the new name and brand will drive their new mission forward and inspire others along the way. Here’s to the next chapter and the great things to come!
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As we embrace the new chapter for Equiforce (formerly WRDC), the NLWIC team has also been building on that momentum through meaningful partnerships and forward-looking initiatives. We've been growing our initiatives and NLWIC is thrilled to be working on two exciting Projects funded by the Future Skills Centre that continue to strengthen our shared commitment to collaboration and innovation!
NLWIC's Employer-Led Workforce Development Project, in collaboration with the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, will pilot-test, evaluate and explore workforce needs and the skills most in demand on the Baie Verte Peninsula as the region prepares for significant growth driven by a new mining boom. This project is funded by the Government of Canada's Future Skills Program.
NLWIC's Welcoming Communities Project aims to address the declining newcomer retention rates on the Burin Peninsula, a challenge that is particularly significant in several rural communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. By drawing on successful welcoming communities' initiatives across the province, this Project, in collaboration with Labrador North Chamber of Commerce, will inform sustainable efforts that contribute to stronger newcomer retention on the Burin Peninsula. The project is also funded by the Government of Canada's Future Skills Program. Stay tuned for more updates from us as the Projects continue to take shape!
| | This is only the #TipOfTheIceberg of the recent activities of the NLWIC team and other organizations in the province aimed at fostering innovation and best practices while making a meaningful impact in the Newfoundland and Labrador labour market. Participating in events not only provides us with invaluable knowledge but also helps to share NLWIC's research findings which strengthen our partnerships with local organizations. | | | | |
Tracking With Intention: Turning Data Into Inclusion Strategy, Equiforce, December 11, 2025, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., Virtual.
Equiforce is hosting an interactive webinar titled “Tracking With Intention: Turning Data Into Inclusion Strategy,” part of the Creating a Future-Ready Workforce series. Offered at no cost to participants thanks to funding from the Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development, the session will explore how to bring quantitative and qualitative information together to illuminate patterns, barriers, and opportunities within teams.
Facilitated by Mónica Murias Cato, the webinar introduces a practical model for using feedback loops to turn measurement into strategic action. The session will include workplace scenarios and interactive activities that offer concrete tools leaders, HR teams, and workforce partners can apply immediately.
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Responsible AI and Avoiding Bias, Diversity Institute, December 17, 2025, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST (4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. NST), Virtual.
Small and medium-sized enterprises interested in learning about responsible and ethical AI adoption into their day-to day operations should attend this webinar. Join the Diversity Institute and Founder and Academic Director Dr. Wendy Cukier who will share practical strategies and resources to support fair, transparent and trustworthy AI adoption. There are so many areas of discussion to take advantage of such as the risks of bias, misinformation, and inequitable outcomes in AI systems, how to integrate an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) perspective, decision-informed AI integration, workforce upskilling, and organizational readiness, and ways to implement safer and more transparent AI practices. Don’t miss the opportunity to attend!
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MINEx Conference 2026, Labrador West Chamber of Commerce, February 10-12, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Emera Innovation Exchange, In-person.
The MINEx 2026 Convention & Trade Show is a premier event focused on the iron ore mining industry, scheduled for February 10-12, 2026, in Labrador City and Wabush. This leading convention will unite industry leaders, businesses, community partners exhibitors, and speakers for an engaging two-and-a-half-day program featuring presentations, panel discussions, and a vibrant trade show. Delegates can look forward to exploring innovations in mining and community development, keynote addresses from government and industry leaders, providing strategic insights into the sector’s direction and priorities. The trade show will be held at the Mike Adam Recreation Centre, showcasing the latest advancements and services in the mining sector. Don't miss this chance to connect and collaborate on the future of mining in Labrador West!
| | College of the North Atlantic recognized among Canada's Top Research Colleges Again | | |
College of the North Atlantic (CNA) has been recognized again among Canada’s top research colleges as part of Research Infosource’s Top 50 Research Colleges list. Fuelled by the applied research and teamwork among NLWIC, the Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI), and supported by the College overall, these dynamic relationships continue to innovate workforce development.
Ranking #8 overall, #1 in research intensity, and #2 in total research income in Canada underscores how seriously CNA approaches applied research and innovation for workforce development. To see our province's College delivering applied research that not only advances technology and industry, but also helps to prepare students for real-world challenges is crucial and inspiring. This achievement reinforces the importance of investing in applied research and skills training in our province. Together, we help to promote research, testing, and the sharing of innovative ideas and models, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of employability, employment and entrepreneurship in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Here’s to more breakthroughs and even greater impact down the road!
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Like the iconic iceberg, there’s more beneath the surface to see and understand when it comes to the NL Workforce Innovation Centre (NLWIC) and the workforce innovators who lead in research and innovation projects and collaborations to address the most pressing problems and opportunities in the labour market in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Established in 2017 by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and administered by College of the North Atlantic, NL Workforce Innovation Centre (NLWIC) has a provincial mandate to provide a coordinated, central point of access to engage all labour market stakeholders about challenges, opportunities and best practices in workforce development.
NLWIC’s goal is to promote the research, testing and sharing of ideas and models of innovation in workforce development that will positively impact employability, employment and entrepreneurship within the province’s labour force and particularly underrepresented groups. Funding for NLWIC is provided by the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills (IPGS) under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement.
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