Who We Are
Workforce Planning for Sudbury & Manitoulin (WPSM) is a not-for-profit organization located in Sudbury, Ontario serving Greater Sudbury and the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin. WPSM was founded in 1997 and is one of 26 workforce planning boards across Ontario funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
WPSM conducts research and provides labour market information on industry and workforce trends from both a supply and demand perspective. As a hub, WPSM connects stakeholders from various sectors and collaborates on partnership projects, activities and programs to address current and emerging labour market issues, and to support economic growth and development.
Our Mission
To coordinate identified education and training needs in order to generate opportunities for the economic growth of the communities we serve.
Our Mandate
Labour Market Information (LMI)
Identify trends, gaps and emerging issues in various labour market sectors (demand and supply) across the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin, and produce an annual labour market report
Planning and Partnerships
Support or lead new and innovative partnerships, programs and activities to address current and projected labour market issues
Analysis
Conduct research into current and projected labour market needs and trends, participate in northern research projects and analyze available data
Advice
Act as an objective and neutral third party voice at local planning tables and discussions on labour market issues, including those targeting workforce growth and economic development
Our Board
At the core of WPSM is a dedicated group of volunteer Board members who represent important constituencies. This includes representation from: Business/Industry; Labour/Unions; Education; Employment/Training; and others such as Francophones, Persons with Disabilities, Youth and Immigrants.
Each member has unique knowledge about specific aspects of the labour market. This helps WPSM remain current in its understanding of labour market issues affecting all of these sectors.
Executive Committee Members
- Michael Addison, Co-Chair
- Derik McArthur, Co-Chair
- Nancy Rivest, Treasurer
- Keith Crigger, Secretary
Labour Representatives
- Robert Blunt, Assistant Training Coordinator, UA Local 800 (United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry)
- Rhéal Gélinas, Representative/Organizer, Local 2486 (Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario)
- Derik McArthur, Director, UFCW Local 175 & 633 (United Food and Commercial Workers)
- Terry McArthur, Manager, Labour Relations, Northern Region, Ontario Nurses Association (ONA)
Business Representatives
- Michael Addison, General Manager, LAMBAC (LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation)
- Lorraine Leblanc, Board of Directors, Sudbury East Chamber of Commerce
- Keith Crigger, Manager, Investment and Business Development, Economic Development, City of Greater Sudbury
- Tabitha Suprunov, Director, Policy and Government Relations, Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
Education/Training Representatives
- Nancy Rivest, A/General Manager, Employment Services and Immigrant Services, YMCA of Northeastern Ontario
- Denis Brouillette, Business Development, Collège Boréal
- Parvinder Arora, Dean, Faculty of Management, Laurentian University
- Andrew Dale, Manager, Career Development and Student Success
Equity Representatives
- Melanie Morin, Account Executive, IVEY Group
- Patty MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury/Manitoulin
- TBD
Ex-officio Government Representatives
- Diana St Pierre, Quality Assurance Coordinator, Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board
- Wendy Papineau, Consultant, Employment and Training Division, North Region, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
- Melissa Gainer, Manager, Regional Economic Development Branch, Ministry of Northern Development
Our Staff
Reggie Caverson
Executive Director
exec@planningourworkforce.ca
Elissa Petryna
Project Coordinator
projects@planningourworkforce.ca
Administration and Information
info@planningourworkforce.ca
Workforce Planning Ontario
Workforce Planning Ontario is a network of 26 workforce planning boards covering four regions across the province. Workforce planning boards gather intelligence about the supply and demand side of the local labour market and work in partnership with employers, employment services, educators, researchers, economic development, government and other stakeholders to identify, understand and address labour market issues. This includes supporting and coordinating local responses to meet current and emerging workforce needs.
Given the unique geography and labour market factors that impact northern Ontario, all 6 workforce planning boards in the north have also collaborated to form NOWP (Northern Ontario Workforce Planning). NOWP works together on relevant research projects, partnerships and northern LMI reports.
