May 2025 News Bulletin

After a whirlwind of activity highlighted within our last news bulletin, the NLWIC team continued to have a presence at events. We worked to enhance NLWIC's visibility, build connections, participate in professional development, and stay informed about industry trends.

 

Director Sharon McLennon attended the Spring Meeting of the Council for Innovation and Commercialization with The Conference Board of Canada held in Ottawa, hosted by Canada Post from April 30 to May 1, 2025. During the two days of "The Workplace of the Future: What it Means for Innovation Leaders" meetings and sessions she and her Council colleagues explored how the evolving workplace will impact innovation leadership in 2025 and beyond. Sharon joined fellow leaders from industry, academia, and government to examine key themes about the future of innovation leadership, including shifts in the talent pipeline, technology integration, and the need for inclusive, adaptive workplace cultures. The discussions emphasized the need for innovation leaders to rethink how they attract talent, use technology, and foster a dynamic and inclusive environment to stay competitive in the future.

 

NLWIC’s Public Relations Specialist, Lana Roestenberg, took advantage of several webinars to upgrade her knowledge and skills. One webinar worth mentioning was the one offered by Notified. Lana dove into discussions around maximizing search visibility and the new role of press releases in AI-generated search. A key takeaway from the Rethinking Press Releases for the Age of AI Search was learning about mastering three pillars to get AI optimization right: technical, content, and off-site. Lana was glad to attend the insightful national webinar with Public Relations and AI experts from Edelman, Hotwire, Trust Insights, and Notified.


NLWIC's Director, Sharon McLennon recently travelled to St. John's to attended a number of events, including The Labour Market Coordination Round Table Discussion on May 6th, hosted by Dr. Rob Greenwood of the NL Futures Initiative. This event brought together key stakeholders to address current challenges and opportunities in our labour market. Following this, Sharon also attended the "by invitation only" two-day OECD Workshop on May 7-8th at Emera Innovation Exchange also hosted by Dr. Greenwood's team. This workshop focused on AI Adoption and the technology's potential to boost productivity for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

On May 7th, Susanne Dawe, Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator, travelled to St. John’s to participate as Regional Partner at the exclusive Magnet Network Live’s 2025 Spotlight Series event for Atlantic Canada. This evening invite-only event took place at the picturesque Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios, bringing together key stakeholders in workforce development. Sharon and Susanne were excited to engage with industry leaders and share insights on innovative practices that enhance employability and entrepreneurship within our province. Their participation underscores NLWIC’s commitment to fostering collaboration and sharing best practices among stakeholders. They were joined by PR Specialist Lana Roestenberg, who works from the College of the North Atlantic’s Topsail Road Campus. Lana’s expertise in public relations and communications played a vital role in promoting NLWIC’s mission and initiatives during the event. The Spotlight Series served as a platform for networking and knowledge exchange, aligning perfectly with NLWIC’s goal of driving innovation in workforce development. We look forward to sharing the insights gained from this event and continuing to support underrepresented groups in our labor market.


Following the Magnet Network Live’s 2025 Spotlight Atlantic Canada event, Sharon, Susanne, and Lana participated in the highly anticipated international conference on AI, Remote Work, and Productivity. Held from May 8-9, 2025, hosted by the Diversity Institute and Memorial University of Newfoundland, this unique professional development opportunity allowed each of them to hear from experts on the growth-boosting potential of AI technologies, particularly with enhancing remote work efficiency and productivity. A surprising fact learned from research presented was the extent that workers prefer working from home and will take a reduction in pay to be able to work remotely where it is an option with their employer. The insights gained from this event will be invaluable as we leverage the knowledge acquired to navigate the evolving landscape of work and strategies that benefit our stakeholders and the broader community.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to innovate and lead in the realm of workforce development!

Upcoming Events

AI for Career Development in 2025: Practical Strategies for Preparing Clients and Practitioners for the Future of Work, CERIC & Magnet, May 15 & 22, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. ET (1:30p.m. - 2:30 p.m. NL Time), Virtual.


Generative AI is transforming the labour market, influencing everything from workforce dynamics to individual career trajectories. This transformation includes new opportunities in AI for career exploration and client interaction. Join this two-part webinar series to explore the opportunities and challenges presented by this transformative technology and gain insights you need to adapt and thrive in the age of AI. The first session will focus on recent AI advancements, foundational concepts and the broader implications for the workforce. The second session will delve into specific, actionable applications of generative AI (which takes text instruction to create immediate output for the user), helping practitioners leverage this technology to support their clients effectively. Make sure to stay ahead of this rapidly evolving landscape by attending this webinar series.

Energy NL’s Conference & Exhibition 2025, Energy NL, June 3, 2025 8:00 a.m. to June 5, 2025 4:00 p.m. (NDT), St. John's Convention Centre, St. John’s, NL, In-person.

 

The three-day conference titled Decades of Experience: Built for Success will feature a series of dynamic speakers and sessions focused on energy and technology. Key topics will include Newfoundland and Labrador's role in the energy market, opportunities for hydroelectric projects, and discussions on the renewable energy sector. Attendees will also dive into the impact of technology on supply chains and the regulatory landscape affecting both offshore oil and gas and renewable energy industries. This event offers a deep look into both current trends and future opportunities in the energy sector.

Connecting Tradeswomen, WinSETT, June 7, 2025, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. NDT, Academy Canada Campus, In-person.

 

Calling all Tradeswomen in NL! Join WinSETT for their Connecting Tradeswomen Roadshow event in St. John’s. Targeted towards tradeswomen seeking engaging and meaningful professional development, this session will be important for those at all stages of their career. With a focus on leadership development, this interactive session will allow you to explore your strengths, identify your supports, and help you learn how to promote yourself in your career in a supportive space. The session promises not to be a boring lecture! Enjoy free registration (with a refundable $50 deposit), plus breakfast and lunch included. Register today and take the next step in your professional journey to connect, network, and grow. Spots are limited!

CES-NL Professional Development Conference 2025, Canadian Evaluation Society - Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter, June 20, 2025, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. NDT, Memorial University of Newfoundland, RBC Atrium Business Building, In-person.

 

Join the CES-NL Professional Development Conference 2025 for a day of learning, networking, and growth. This event brings together professionals from diverse industries to explore strategies and best practices. Whether you're an expert or new to the field, the conference offers valuable opportunities to enhance your skills and expand your knowledge. Non-members can receive a one-year CES-NL local membership with admission. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Mark your calendars today!

Innovation in Action

Empowering Ontario's Workforce: Merit Ontario's Path to Skill Enhancement

Merit Ontario’s Workforce Development Department is nurturing the next generation of construction and skilled workers. Over the next decade, 20% of Ontario's skilled workforce is set to retire, while registered apprenticeships have dropped by 15%. Merit Ontario helps with FREE safety training and apprenticeship support.

 

Through its advocacy efforts, key services, and innovative programs, often supported by government funding, the organization is helping to build a stronger future for employers to find and retain skilled workers, while fostering a thriving construction workforce. The organization also collaborates with high school guidance counsellors, educators, and community leaders to showcase construction as a viable and fulfilling career choice and simplifies the apprenticeship process, offering guidance and support for both employers and apprentices.

On Our Radar

Bridging the Gap: Meeting Workforce Needs Over the Next Decade, Bipartisan Policy Centre

Evolving Together: Enabling the Hybrid Generation to Flourish at Work, ResPublica

2025 EDUCAUSE Teaching and Learning Workforce in Higher Education Report, EDUCAUSE

Connecting Small Businesses to Newcomer Talent - April 2025, The Conference Board of Canada

Mentorship in the Workplace: Employee Participation and Perspectives, Diversity Institute

State of the Global Workplace: 2025 Report, Gallup

Workforce Links

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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 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.

©NL Workforce Innovation Centre 2025