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As of March 11th, 2024, the Future Ready program has successfully deployed all available funding. Thank you to all manufactures who participated. Sign up for NGen's newsletter to stay informed on future opportunities.

Future Ready was funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program

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Learn More About Future Ready

Canadian manufacturers are facing unprecedented challenges that require sophisticated solutions. NGen’s Future Ready project was launched to help manufacturers embrace the digital transformation and navigate labour shortages and skills gaps with practical solutions.

Future Ready consisted of: 

  1. Transformation Leadership Program (TLP) & AmpUp Funding
  2. In-Person Skilled Trades Events 
  3. Tools for manufacturers including NGen’s Skills Building Zone and NextSkillsAI 
  4. Bringing new workers into Canadian manufacturing: Wage Subsidies 
  5. Industry research

Future Ready Programs

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Transformation Leadership Program(TLP) & AmpUp Funding

  • The Transformation Leadership Program (TLP) and AmpUp Employee Training funding were built to address the skilled labour challenges in Canada’s manufacturing sector while helping manufacturers upskill existing workforces.
  • TLP consisted of on demand and self paced modules and assessment tools which helped manufacturers identify strategic priorities and develop plans to overcome skills gaps. TLP manufacturers then had access to federal grants to use towards employee training programs of their choice. NGen facilitated access to these grants which cover 80% the cost of employees training programs, or up to $8,000 per company.
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In-Person Skilled Trades Events

    • In-Person Skilled Trade Events provided newcomers to Canada with a chance to assess their readiness for the Canadian job market.
    • Newcomers received a certificate proving they participated in a government recognized program, gained experience, made connections with instructors in their trade, and received video footage of their work—valuable assets they can use in future job application
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Tools for manufacturers including NGen’s Skills Building Zone and NextSkillsAI

  • NGen’s industry-led research revealed that manufacturers needed new tools to help assess their core skills and build personalized plans for training and development. In response, NGen designed accessible, online tools and resources to support manufacturers in training their workforce.These included:

    • Skills Building Zone: An online catalogue of on-demand training and tools for Canadian manufacturers and workers.
    • Skills for Success Assessments – Know.Me.Q: NGen partnered with Me.Q to offer four individual assessments based on the Skills for Success framework to allow Canadian manufacturing workers to self-assess their core skills.​ These provide personalized recommendations for skills development.
    • NextSkillsAI: An AI tool for manufacturers to reveal the competencies and skills gaps of their workforce and develop upskilling plans to address them. NextSkillsAI included insight into the impact of technology changes, digitalization, transition to net-zero carbon and other current challenges.
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Bringing new workers into Canadian manufacturing: Wage Subsidies

  • NGen partnered with Canadian Skills Training & Employment Coalition (CSTEC) to place new workers across 100+ manufacturing facilities, by facilitating manufacturer’s access to wage subsidies. In total, NGen distributed $3.447 million to manufacturers in wage subsidies. $7,000 was provided in support to members of equity-deserving and groups, and $5,000 was provided to all others.

  • Impact:
    • 606 individuals have been supported by wage subsidies to date.
    • 70% of individuals are members of equity deserving groups.
    • 92% of placements resulted in permanent employment.

Canada-wide Impact

Future Ready supported manufacturers from coast to coast, providing access to funding, tools, and programs to help overcome challenges in labour and skills shortages.

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Skilled trades events in:

  • Alberta: 1
  • Saskatchewan: 2
  • Ontario: 5
  • Prince Edward Island: 2
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Future Ready
manufacturers by province:

  • British Columbia: 46
  • Quebec: 82
  • Alberta: 26
  • Ontario: 191
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$900000+

delivered in upskilling training grants to manufacturers

409

companies registered for online modules and skills assessment

375

manufacturing workers attended live TLP sessions

700+

individuals participated in the TLP

42

tools released in both languages

Industry Research & Reports

NGen collaborated with the Canadian Skills Training and Employment Coalition (CSTEC) and other partners to publish a series of industry reports investigating the impact caused by existing challenges in the manufacturing landscape:

Decarbonization and its Impact on Canada's Manufacturing Workforce  

Digitizing Canada's Advanced Manufacturing Sector: Reshaping Jobs and Skills  

Technological Innovation and Workforce Diversity in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector  

The Manufacturing Workforce: Trends and Opportunities 

An Assessment of the Changing Skill Needs 
of the Canadian Manufacturing Workforce  

Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing: The Evolution of Technology and Jobs in the Sector  

Digitizing Canada's Manufacturing Sector

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit

Advanced Manufacturing Skills Catalogue

Best Practices for Newcomers Labour Market Intervention Programmes

Terri-Lynn is Future Ready

Terri-Lynn's journey in the manufacturing industry is a testament to the impact of the Future Ready program is having on equity deserving communities.

As a LGBIQ+ single mother of three, she embarked on her new career at the age of 39, navigating through apprenticeships and overcoming workplace challenges, including those related to her identity and safety concerns during the pandemic. Through the wage placements provided by the Future Ready program, Terri-Lynn found a supportive environment at Promach, completed her apprenticeship, and achieved her General Machinist Journeyperson certification.

Her story is a powerful affirmation of how the Future Ready program is actively enabling diverse individuals to enter and succeed in manufacturing careers.

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"One of the very best training programs that I have been exposed to, ever! It was well paced, insightful, instructive and dynamic with solid interaction orchestrated by the NGen team (Stewart, Christie and Dr. Dan). I would highly recommend the program be expanded and made widely available to manufacturing teams across Canada."

Bob Harper

CFO and COO, Kinitics Automation

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"The TLP was one of the very best. Through a series of training modules involving theoretical sessions, coupled with assessment exercises and discussions, this journey allowed the executive team to develop a balanced approach to organizational transformation and assisted our team in creating action plans to make our team better.”

Michael Holleran

General Manager & VP Sales Support CANAM

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"This is a fast-paced program that allows us to think about our customers. It allows us to really follow-up with internal collaborations.”

Rod Woods

Director, Product Definition and Quality, MHICA

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"This program provides great clarity. The SAT’s provide alignment reinforcement.”

Murray McMichael

Sr. Mgr. Supply Chain, MHICA

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"The presentations and technical foundation are solid. They are very helpful."

Mathivanan Muhilan

Operations Manager, Cyclone

Join over 5,000 members in Canada’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program.

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