The Challenge
A regional coalition of four municipalities, a public regional economic development organization, and a non-profit labour assistance organization came together to address both current and future workforce challenges. With several major companies expected to enter the region in the coming years, creating demand for approximately 3,000 new jobs, the local labour force faced significant pressure due to its relatively small population.
To proactively respond, the group sought to better understand existing labour gaps and develop a strategic workforce plan to support the region’s evolving economic needs.
Our Approach
To build a comprehensive understanding of the region’s workforce landscape, Ballad conducted a detailed analysis of demographic, economic, and labour market conditions at both the regional and municipal levels. This work provided key insights into labour supply, workforce composition, and the industries driving employment.
In parallel, Ballad engaged directly with local businesses and residents through surveys, interviews, and roundtable discussions. These engagements surfaced critical challenges, including employer skill shortages, hiring barriers, and broader concerns about labour availability.
Building on this analysis, Ballad developed a workforce strategy featuring 22 recommendations across six key themes. These recommendations addressed priority areas such as labour shortages, affordable housing to support workforce attraction and retention, HR training for small employers, and targeted regional recruitment initiatives.
Together, this work provides the region and its municipalities with a clear, actionable path to strengthen their workforce and support long-term economic growth.
What we heard
“The final report, with six key thematic recommendations, was highly comprehensive and offered actionable solutions. The direct engagement with residents and businesses provided an authentic representation of regional labour needs.”