Your Workforce News

New Year's Eve 2024 Edition

What an incredible year it has been for workforce development in our community! We are so grateful to everyone - our partners, stakeholders, employers, educators, job seekers and community leaders who contributed to CFWD's success this year. Your dedication, collaboration, and vision have made a meaningful difference in strengthening our local workforce and building a brighter future for all in Hastings, Prince Edward and Lennox & Addington Counties. As we count down to 2025, your Centre for Workforce Development (CFWD) wishes you a safe and wonderful time celebrating. Let’s toast to new opportunities, continued growth, and shared success in the year ahead! Happy New Year’s Eve from all of us at CFWD! 

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF

THE YEAR

We are delighted to share that the Centre for Workforce Development was the recipient of the Community Partner of the Year Award at the 2024 ACE (Awards for Construction Excellence) Gala hosted by the Quinte Home Builders Association (QHBA) in November. It is an absolute joy and privilege to work in partnership with QHBA to advance workforce development in the construction skilled trades sector.


Together, we’re building a stronger, more skilled community! A heartfelt thank you to QHBA for this incredible honor, and congratulations to our fellow nominees in this category (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, Children's Safety Village, and Habitat for Humanity HPE) and all of the nominees and winners recognized at this year's prestigious event. Your hard work and dedication to excellence inspire us all! Here’s to continued collaboration and success in supporting our region’s workforce and construction industry.

Photo above: Quinte Home Builders Association Executive Director Ruth Estwick (left) presents CFWD Executive Director Sandi Ramsay (right) with the 2024 ACE Award for "Community Partner of the Year".

2024 Identification and Employment Clinics Empower Belleville's Vulnerable Community


CFWD is celebrating the incredible success of its 2024 Identification and Employment Clinics geared to vulnerable and unhoused people. Two clinics were held this year, the first on June 21st and a second on October 24th, at the Bridge Street United Church Drop-In Centre in Belleville. These clinics provided 168 clients with an impressive 272 identification and employment services, highlighting the critical importance of targeted initiatives in supporting vulnerable and unhoused individuals in our community.


We extend our deepest gratitude to our amazing community partners, including Service Ontario, Service Canada, Hastings County, Belleville & Quinte West Community Health Centre, John Howard Society (Belleville), the Enrichment Centre for Mental Health, Gift from the Heart, Career Edge, Loyalist College Community Employment Services, META Employment Services, City of Belleville, The Bridge Consortium, and Bridge Street United Church.


These organizations came together to deliver comprehensive services, including access to Employment Ontario resources and other essential supports. Together, we’ve taken a meaningful step toward building a more inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to work toward a brighter, more promising future.

CFWD Launches New

Podcast Series!

The Centre for Workforce Development is thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new podcast series, "Your Workforce Weekly Update"! 🎙️🎧

This series is your go-to resource for navigating today’s labour market and workforce trends. We've already released three fantastic episodes you won’t want to miss...download and listen now:


Career Resolutions for 2025: Tips to help you set and achieve your career goals this year.

Building Skills for Career Success in 2025: Explore the top skills you need to thrive in the evolving job market.

Workforce Strategies for Business Owners and Operators: Practical advice for employers to attract, retain, and develop top talent.


Whether you're a job seeker, an employer, or someone looking to level up your career, there's something here for you! Check it out today and take the first step toward workforce success in 2025.

2024 Healthcare Career Fair a Huge Success!

CFWD's 2024 Healthcare Career Fair held on October 23rd at Belleville General Hospital’s Education Centre was a resounding success! The event brought together 160 students from grades 10 to 12, along with their teachers and guidance counsellors, for a dynamic day of career exploration in the healthcare field. 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️


Big THANKS to our amazing partners at Quinte Health, the Hastings & Prince Edward District School Board, and the Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board for making this day possible. Shoutout to the incredible exhibitors who provided students with hands-on experiences, career advice, and invaluable insights into the healthcare industry. We’re so proud to have helped inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals! 🩺🙌

Special Dates in January