Canadian Manufacturing Network launched to connect manufacturers

The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium of Canada (EMC) and the Textiles Human Resources Council (THRC) have launched the Canadian Manufacturing Network, an initiative focused on engaging manufacturers through knowledge, innovation, workplace learning and best practices.

The Canadian Manufacturing Network — www.CanadianManufacturingNetwork.ca — is designed to connect manufacturers to share knowledge, expertise and learning resources, strengthening Canada’s diverse manufacturing sectors as they grow new business and build greater global competitiveness. The goal is to strengthen Canadian industry globally and create new jobs here at home.

To help create and sustain the next evolution of Canadian jobs, EMC and THRC are also announcing the launch of two major national manufacturing initiatives — Manufacturing JOBS Resource Network and the Online Skills & Learning Portal.

After more than a year of piloting with industry employers and job seekers, the Manufacturing JOBS Resource Network is now open to the public, connecting employers, job seekers and labour market partners across all manufacturing sectors. All Canadian manufacturers can post their jobs for free. Through this network’s extensive partnerships, these job resources will be linked and broadcast across Canada.

The Online Skills & Learning Portal — The Canadian Manufacturing Network’s Catalogue of Programs — includes hundreds of world-class bilingual, industry-vetted online programs, comprising thousands of subjects of online learning for workers at all levels and across all manufacturing sectors. Industry can access leading-edge skills development programs on a wide range of subjects, including: manufacturing, technical, business and personal development, computer and workplace performance skills, including Harvard Business programs.

The launch of the Canadian Manufacturing Network and these keystone initiatives is the culmination of several years of industry-driven development and over a year of vetting and pilot group testing by more than 20,000 manufacturers across Canada. Additional grass-roots industry resources and all-sector Knowledge Networks round out the network’s launch programming.

The Canadian Manufacturing Network is designed to be a one-stop-solution linking manufacturers with their peers, related supply chain organizations, and municipal, provincial and federal governments, to provide Canadian industry with the resources they need to succeed.

“Being able to engage industry is why we have been able to help so many manufacturers,” said Al Diggins, president and general manager of Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium. “Continued development of manufacturing-specific tools is essential to keep these channels open. EMC is excited about the launch of the Canadian Manufacturing Network and partnering with THRC to further enhance this expanding network throughout Canada.”

The Canadian Manufacturing Network has created a comprehensive reservoir of industry knowledge and subject matter expertise. With face-to-face and web 2.0-based networks, this initiative is building a greater case for manufacturing in Canada, by making available a world-class array of Lean/advanced manufacturing, workplace-focused business, talent management and human capital solutions vital to the long-term growth of Canadian manufacturing.

For more information about the Canadian Manufacturing Network, contact Al Diggins at (866) 323-4362 or adiggins@emccanada.org. Or contact David Kelly, executive director of the THRC, at (613) 230-7217 ext. 301 or david.kelly@thrc-crhit.org.