Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Alliance
New pan-Canadian alliance will bring manufacturers, industry, labour and training partners together to address critical workforce challenges and strengthen the competitiveness of Canada’s advanced manufacturing sector.
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) is proud to join Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) and the Canadian Skills Training and Employment Coalition (CSTEC) in leading the new Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Alliance, a national initiative designed to strengthen the skilled workforce that Canada’s manufacturing sector needs to compete, innovate and grow.
Announced today by Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Alliance will bring together manufacturers, labour organizations, education and training institutions, industry associations, Indigenous partners, underrepresented groups and other stakeholders from across Canada.
The Alliance comes at a critical time for Canadian manufacturing. Manufacturers are navigating skills shortages, demographic shifts, trade and supply chain pressures, rapidly evolving technologies and growing international competition. At the same time, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies are changing the skills manufacturers need and creating new opportunities for Canadian workers.
Through the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Alliance, EMC, NGen and CSTEC will work collaboratively with partners across the country to identify emerging workforce needs, address skills gaps and advance practical training and workforce solutions that respond directly to the needs of industry.
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of Canada’s economy, supporting approximately 1.85 million workers and contributing $208 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2024. As advanced technologies transform how manufacturers operate, ensuring workers and employers have access to the right skills, training and workforce supports will be essential to maintaining Canada’s productivity and global competitiveness.
The Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Alliance will provide a national forum for collaboration and action. By connecting employers directly with labour, training providers, educational institutions and other workforce partners, the Alliance will help ensure that workforce strategies and investments reflect the real and evolving needs of Canada’s manufacturing sector.
EMC will leverage its national network and direct relationships with manufacturers to bring industry perspectives to the table, identify emerging workforce priorities and help translate those priorities into practical solutions.
The Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Alliance is the second of six sector-focused Workforce Alliances being established in areas critical to Canada’s economic growth. Together, the six priority sectors account for more than one-third of Canada’s GDP and approximately eight million workers.
If you would like to get involved, please contact us.
About Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping Canadian manufacturers grow and become more competitive. Through its extensive manufacturing network, EMC connects manufacturers with peers, industry expertise, workforce development resources, training and practical solutions designed to address the challenges facing the sector.
For more information about EMC and the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Alliance, contact Tiffany Robbins – Marketing & Communications Manager, EMC.