We are thrilled to share with you the most recent announcements and developments in the Windsor-Essex region for the month of November. See below to read our top highlights.
Launch of new digital tool aimed at supporting the electric vehicle sector
The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor-Tecumseh, visited Invest WindsorEssex to celebrate the launch of EV Careers, a new digital tool that will enhance the immediate regional workforce development needs in Windsor-Essex. With Government of Canada support through FedDev Ontario, Invest WindsorEssex (IWE), together with Workforce WindsorEssex, the University of Windsor, St. Clair College and WEtech Alliance, launched EVCareers.ca: an online worker registry tool with a user-friendly website interface and resources to help connect job seekers with employers in growing the EV supply chain.
“Workforce and talent development are a top priority for our community to ensure an adequate and strong labour force to support our growing economy. We are thrilled to receive this funding allowing us to develop the strategy and tools required to build a local workforce that will bolster emerging supply chains and existing industry. Thank you to Minister Tassi and FedDev Ontario for your continued support for Windsor-Essex.” – Stephen MacKenzie, President and CEO, Invest WindsorEssex .
With billions of dollars in recent investment across Windsor-Essex and available job postings on the rise, it is now more important than ever to have a strategy and tools in place to ensure an adequate and sustainable workforce not only to accommodate emerging supply chains but also to ensure existing companies have the required talent to operate at full capacity. This necessity extends as the country moves towards more sustainable solutions, given that southern Ontario has emerged as a prominent hub for automotive manufacturing and innovation, specifically in the electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing sectors. READ MORE
Meet Invest WindsorEssex’s Talent Attraction Specialist, Jessica McCarthy
Jessica McCarthy is an experienced Talent Attraction Specialist on a mission to transform Windsor-Essex into a premier destination for top talent. In this pivotal role at Invest WindsorEssex, her dedication and committed efforts to showcase the region’s workforce potential have been a driving force, including her instrumental role in building strong relationships with key stakeholders locally and beyond. With a dynamic and results-driven approach, Jessica is ready to elevate Windsor-Essex’s reputation as a hub for talent and opportunity.
Jessica’s comprehensive experience in recruitment and management, combined with her genuine dedication to the region, makes her an asset in connecting exceptional talent with organizations in this dynamic area. She is poised to help businesses thrive by attracting the right individuals who can contribute to the growth and success of the Windsor-Essex region. Contact Jessica, jmccarthy@investwindsoressex.com
Annual Future of Transportation and Mobility Series
The Future of Transportation and Mobility Series (FTMS) was held on Nov. 1, 2023 and hosted by CITM, Durham RTDS and Windsor-Essex RTDS and supported by Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN). This year’s theme was “Investments Driving Connected and Electrified Transportation” to accelerate the future of the connected and autonomous technology sector.
Attendees engaged in a virtual format that featured interactive webinars, panel discussions and virtual exhibition spaces. The platform provided a great opportunity to explore transformative technologies and innovations. A keynote speaker included Mr. Danies Lee, CEO of NextStarEnergy Inc. A joint venture between Stellantis and LG Energy Solution in Windsor, Canada’s first large-scale lithium-ion battery production plant. Mr. Lee shared his wealth of knowledge and experience in promoting EV battery programs to get this monumental investment off the ground in Windsor, Ont. for early 2024. WATCH THE RECAP
Construction begins at Windsor’s Battery Technology Centre
Stephen MacKenzie and the team at Invest WindsorEssex learned in early 2021 that the region was in the running for a multibillion-dollar battery plant and Windsor-Essex was well prepared to secure the investment.
Now that the project is well underway, It’s an exciting time for the region, including the start of construction on the North America Battery Technology Centre at Stellantis Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) in Windsor. The Battery Technology Centre, located at 3939 Rhodes Drive in Windsor, provides in-house testing and development of electric vehicle battery packs for upcoming Stellantis brand products. Construction is expected to be completed in mid-2024 with full-scale operations scheduled to begin for the first quarter of 2025 along with new job creations. READ MORE
2023 Emerging Technologies in Automation Conference and Tradeshow
Invest WindsorEssex’s Business Retention and Expansion team hosted the region’s largest automation conference on Nov. 2, 2023. The Emerging Technologies in Automation Conference and Trade Show: Automate with Intelligence attracted over 350 attendees, 45 exhibitors and 35 world-class presenters to experience the latest developments in Industry 4.0.
The conference attracted international purchasers and delegates sourcing the latest automation and technology from Windsor-Essex suppliers. Participants experienced cutting-edge developments in advanced manufacturing, agri-business, healthcare, next-generation vehicle production and more. New to this year’s event, a Start-Up and Talent Zone featured some of the region’s up-and-coming innovators in automation and mobility as well as provided a platform for companies and job seekers to network and explore opportunities.
“We are pleased to be able to provide this platform to present new and innovative technologies that are changing the face of manufacturing and automation not only in our region but throughout the world,” said Stephen MacKenzie, President and CEO, of Invest WindsorEssex. “For a region of our size, I think per capita we have the highest concentration of companies working in automation on the planet. So it’s quite extraordinary.”
Thank you to our partners Automate Canada, the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), the Canadian Association of Mold Makers (CAMM) and the Ministry of Economic Development Job, Creation and Trade (MEDJCT), as well as our sponsors, St. Clair College, University of Windsor, Siemens and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, OSS Consultants, SMI Automation, Tracktive, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers and Grant Thornton, WEtech Alliance and Trillium Networking for Advanced Manufacturing. Mark your calendars for next year’s Emerging Technology Conference and Trade Show, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. READ MORE