Workforce Planning Boards

Workforce Planning Ontario

Every region of Ontario is unique when it comes to demographics, industry and economics. To address the diverse needs of local communities and business in the area of workforce development, in 1990 the Ontario Premier’s Council Report recommended creating regional committees. The first was established in 1996, and today we are a network of 25 planning areas.

Our network was launched in 1994 under the name Local Boards, but as of 2011 is known as Workforce Planning Ontario to better reflect our mandate to connect our communities to the labour market data they need. We are funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD).

Each board is as individual as the region it serves. They address labour market issues in different ways as all communities are not the same. As a network, Ontario’s workforce planning boards work together in a variety of ways to address labour market issues from a broader province-wide perspective.

Each board operates in its own way, but all have a mission to:

  • Identify workforce issues that are characteristic of the local community; and
  • Provide collaborative solutions by engaging with our communities and partners.

Workforce Planning Ontario covers all workforce sectors and is an essential link between job seekers, employers and skills development services. Every day, these organizations facilitate connections to strengthen their local labour market.