I would like to start my official blog as Director of the Economic Development Office (EDO) by saying thank you to my peers, colleagues, partners, family and friends for the enormous support and well wishes that I have received.

As new Director, I would like to use this blog platform to connect with the business community and share what is happening in Mississauga’s economy, and highlight some of the exciting projects and initiatives that EDO is working on.

This week, EDO partnered with the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) to host Mississauga Advanced Manufacturing Day, a full-day event that brought together close to 200 post-secondary education students and young adults who are considering advanced manufacturing as a career. This full-day event started off with company tours at:  Baylis Medical; Cyclone Manufacturing; Ingram Micro; Magellan Aerospace; Matcor Metal Fabrication; Pirlitor Machine & Tool and Prevost, that showcased the many career options in advanced manufacturing, and the innovative and leading edged technologies that are happening right here in Mississauga!

As I toured with the group, I was inspired by these young adults and students who are taking action in learning about advanced manufacturing to help them make career path decisions in the sector. Mississauga’s Advanced Manufacturing sector is made up of almost 1,800 companies, making Mississauga a major employment centre for highly skilled and knowledge-based jobs like engineers, machinists, technologists, programmers and production managers.  These jobs are spread across, automotive, aerospace, food and beverage and cleantech sub-sectors, providing even more career options and opportunities in the city.

This event is just one example how EDO is working together with our industry and education partners to help bridge the employment gap in advanced manufacturing. Our goal is to nurture and support an ecosystem that is able to sustain and grow a talent base that is not only robust but highly skilled and talented.

For more information on our workforce development initiatives, join our Advanced Manufacturing Group on LinkedIn