MBiz

46 SUMMER 2023 The business landscape is changing quickly across industries. With increased labour shortages and innovations happening every day, employers are finding proactive ways to attract and retain talent—and they look to the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) to develop the training opportunities to make this possible. "As an industry-driven institution, our partners are an integral part of everything we do at MITT," said Bev Stuart, vice- president of business and organizational development. "In turn, industry comes directly to us to develop the high-quality education and training we're known for, designed specifically for their organization. Right now, we're being asked to help indus- try attract people to the workforce, keep employees current, and provide opportuni- ties for upskilling so that employees are prepared to take on more specialized or senior roles as people retire." MITT's Industry Training and Continuing Education department is a team of expe- rienced professionals who work directly with partners—businesses, sector councils, associations, education and community organizations—to address their needs through existing and customized educa- tion and training solutions. This training takes different forms, from workshops to micro-certificates and certificate programs, accreditation of existing curriculum, and delivery of partner programs like the Women of Steel TM : Forging Forward program with the CWB Welding Foundation. "When the CWB Welding Foundation approached us about delivering Women of Steel TM : Forging Forward, we were thrilled at the opportunity to partner on a program to bring women into the welding and welding-related skilled trades while reducing barriers to education for desig- nated equity groups," said Lori Grenkow, senior manager, industry training and continuing education at MITT. "We worked with CWB to recruit, implement, and deliver their curriculum in the expanded weld shop at our Henlow Campus." The tuition-free Women of Steel TM : Forging Forward program had an incred- ible response in Manitoba, and 15 indi- viduals were selected to participate in the program, which will see them graduate at the end of June ready to enter the work- force. The program is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Adult Learning Literacy and Essential Skills – Women's Employment Readiness Program. The need to draw people to the work- force is not unique to skilled trades, and many organizations are looking at ways to create direct paths to entry. MITT is working with the Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba (IBAM) to do just this. Develop- ment is underway on a course to train individuals for entry-level positions in the industry, which includes the Fundamentals of Insurance exam, allowing them to start work upon completion. The course will include employability skills like communi- cation, problem-solving, collaboration, and professionalism—skills many organizations identify as critical components for new training opportunities. MITT's deep discovery and scoping process identifies the exact outcomes that need to be achieved so that train- ing results in both organizational and employee success. ■ If you would like to develop training opportunities to attract, retain, and drive employee success and business continuity, now is the time to connect with MITT at industry@mitt.ca. CUSTOMIZED TRAINING DRIVES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVED OUTCOMES MITT INDUSTRY TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION "In turn, industry comes directly to us to develop the high-quality education and training we're known for, designed specifically for their organization." – Bev Stuart, vice-president of business and organizational development SUBMITTED PHOTOS MITT worked with the CWB Welding Foundation to recruit, implement and deliver their curriculum in MITT's expanded weld shop.

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