Pillar 4: Workforce Attraction & Retention
The fourth pillar of the Growth Plan focuses on recommendations to ensure residents have opportunities to work locally and that local businesses help to grow a vibrant economy.
The benefits of working to attract and retain a local workforce include:
- the option for young people to live and work in their community.
- an increase in the number of families living within MOC, which leads to increased services, economic activity, volunteerism, and vibrancy within our communities.
- a stronger economy that supports local businesses.
Click on each recommendation for details on progress to-date, next steps, and estimated timelines.
A resident attraction program would play a vital role in helping MOC be recognized as a desirable place to live and work. The program would be measured by an increase in workforce-age residents filling the current employment gaps. In addition, identifying new business investment opportunities and growth areas in the Municipality could effectively attract new workers to MOC.
| Progress Update | Next Steps | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| HAWK Marketing was hired in Fall 2025 and supported the development of resident and business attraction materials. This work was completed in early 2026 and marketing is underway to support this recommendation. | Implementation is underway and will be ongoing. | Complete and implementation ongoing |
Ongoing communication with the local business community is essential in understanding challenges within the local labour force and in identifying new trends. There is an opportunity to provide additional training for the local labour force to help retain these workers and perhaps provide opportunities for advancement in their career. MOC has an opportunity to work with partners to provide training programs specific to local business needs.
| Progress Update | Next Steps | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| MOC worked with regional partners to put forward a plan to identify training needs and provide a unified resource for businesses to access details of upcoming training opportunities. Funding for the project has been obtained. |
| Complete and implementation is ongoing. |
MOC can support the development of new businesses by pursuing labour force attraction initiatives to fill positions within the new businesses that will be located within the growth areas. MOC can implement this recommendation by taking the following actions:
- Develop a list of target businesses that would enhance livability and economic sustainability.
- Engage with local and regional land developers to assess available commercial spaces and infrastructure needs for business development.
- Develop a business investment package outlining the benefits of establishing operations in MOC, including available workforce, incentives, and community growth projections.
- Expand workforce attraction programs to ensure new businesses have access to skilled labour.
| Progress Update | Next Steps | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| To support the development of a list of target businesses, a Supply Chain analysis is currently under consideration. Engagement with land developers and existing businesses will be ongoing as will continual improvements and adjustments to our workforce attraction efforts. | Underway and ongoing |
MOC will maintain open communications with the Provincial and Federal governments to ensure that they are apprised of all new programs and initiatives, as well as funding to support workforce development. Recommended actions may include but not limited to:
- Develop an inventory of current programs, policies, and funding that relate to workforce initiatives, including key contacts of representatives of said programs.
- Schedule quarterly meetings with representatives from regional, provincial, and federal governments to discuss workforce needs and funding opportunities.
- Have the list of programs, funding, and initiatives available on MOC website.
- Communicate MOC’s workforce needs with government representatives that will lead to new programs or funding that supports MOC businesses.
| Progress Update | Next Steps | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Communication with applicable partners is underway and ongoing. A regional partnership is underway that will provide a platform to share details on programs and resources available to tackles challenges related to the workforce. | Additional details related to regional partnership around workforce issues is anticipated in Q3 2026. | Ongoing |
In an effort to retain existing businesses within the municipality, it is important to develop and work with businesses to ensure that they have succession plans in place. By working with local development organizations, financial experts, and educational institutions, MOC can play a role in ensuring that there is succession planning programs, supports, and services for local businesses.
| Progress Update | Next Steps | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Work is not currently underway on this recommendation. | MOC will work with local partners, including the newly reestablished Chamber of Commerce, and other regional partners to develop a plan for succession planning in the medium term. | Medium Term (2027) |
In an effort to ensure that MOC is aware of local business challenges and opportunities, establishing a workforce action group comprised of local businesses and key organizations is crucial. Meetings could be held on a regular basis as a means of information sharing and identifying customized MOC solutions to address workforce challenges.
| Progress Update | Next Steps | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Work has not yet gotten underway on this recommendation. |
| 2027 |
Retaining local youth within the community as an important, long-term economic development goal seeking creative opportunities for youth, such as internship programs or co-ops placements is an opportunity to provide a labour force for existing businesses as well as positioning local youth for future employment opportunities.
| Progress Update | Next Steps | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Chester will play host to the $100 Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge the week of August 17, 2026. Ten youth will have the opportunity to develop, promote, and sell their products throughout the week-long program. | Additional work anticipated in the next 12 months includes:
| Ongoing |
New immigrants should have access to information so that they can find meaningful employment within MOC, filling the current staffing gaps and contributing to addressing the needs of new businesses. Working with the federal government on their immigration, employment programs in MOC has an opportunity to market the municipality and local employment opportunities.
| Progress Update | Next Steps | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| MOC has provided support to the South Shore Multicultural Association and their application to establish a Local Immigration Partnership for the South Shore. The feasibility study has been completed and they are awaiting confirmation from the Federal Government that their application has been successful. | MOC will work with South Shore Multicultural Association and other partners to welcome newcomers and provided needed resources in finding meaningful employment. | Long Term and Ongoing. |
