Joint Release Issued From: Huron County Immigration Partnership, Huron Chamber of Commerce, Township of North Huron, and WILL Employment Solutions
Huron County, Ontario – Business owners, human resource professionals and organizations are encouraged to attend the upcoming employer workshop, Mapping Your Future Workforce. With workforce gaps in the Huron County labour force, businesses and organizations are increasingly turning to international talent to address workforce shortages. This workshop will show participants how to navigate hiring and onboarding newcomers to Canada.
The morning event will take place in the lower hall of the Blyth Festival on June 4, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
About the Workshop
Employment expert Celeste Gray will lead an interactive session that aims to provide participants with practical strategies to ensure they hire the right people and create a workplace that feels inclusive for everyone, regardless of their background.
“People will learn about things like skills mapping, how to identify a candidate’s transferable skills, what risks to avoid in hiring, and how to best help newcomers to Canada feel like they belong in the workplace,” said Gray, the Team Lead of an Employer Engagement Project at WILL Employment Solutions.
The event is organized by the Huron County Immigration Partnership, Huron Chamber of Commerce, Township of North Huron, and WILL Employment Solutions, with support from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
“Whether you are a large employer or a small to medium-sized business, this session will provide practical tools to help you hire smarter, retain talent longer, and build a stronger, more inclusive rural workforce,” Gray added.
The event will also feature the launch of a new publication that aims to be a tool for employers on how to recognize transferrable skills newcomers to Canada bring and how to effectively onboard staff.
“The guide was created through a collaborative effort led by the Immigration Partnership. Representatives from eight organizations identified challenges that business owners face when considering hiring newcomers to Canada. The guide highlights how those challenges can be overcome, with guidance from other employers who have successfully integrated newcomers into their workforce,” explained Ritu Bhardwaj, North Huron’s economic development officer and the chair of the Immigration Partnership Employment Working Group.
Colin Carmichael, the executive director of the Huron Chamber of Commerce, outlined why this workshop is timely and key for employers who wish to grow.
“With a small rural population, an aging workforce, persistently tight labour conditions, and local employers who are often competing for the same limited pool of workers, new Canadians are already helping to fill critical roles across our communities, and our long-term economic strength will depend on how well we welcome, retain, and support them,” Carmichael said.
“For employers, this is not just about recruitment. It is about building workplaces where people can put their skills and experience to work, feel a sense of belonging, and see a future for themselves and their families in Huron County. The Chamber is pleased to sponsor this event and support a practical resource that will help local businesses think more intentionally about the workforce they need today and the workforce our communities will rely on tomorrow.”
The workshop is free, but sign-up is required. People interested in attending can sign up at https://bit.ly/mapyourworkforce
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