For Immediate Release | Check Against Delivery
May 16th, 2017
Remarks: Mayor Crombie Opens Advanced Manufacturing Forum
The following remarks were delivered by Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie today during the Economic Development Office’s (EDO) Building Skilled Talent Together Forum – a gathering of public and private-sector leaders developing strategies and solutions to address Mississauga’s skilled labour gap and the immediate and longer term employee needs of advanced manufacturing companies:
“Good morning, everyone. Let me begin by recognizing the team of professionals from our Economic Development Office for organizing today’s forum.
“We look forward to building on the success of our new Five-Year Life Sciences Cluster Strategy that was shaped by the feedback we received from important stakeholders, like all of you.
“Let me also acknowledge the coalition of committed thought leaders from industry, the public sector and from education.
“Mississauga has a vast and globally competitive advanced manufacturing sector – home to over 1,760 firms employing over 81,000 people locally.
“Our industries range from: aerospace to automotive; from food and beverage to cleantech.
“We mean business when it comes to strengthening the advanced manufacturing sector.
“The advancement of cutting-edge technology through Industry 4.0 has fundamentally shifted the manufacturing landscape globally.
“These evolving global trends are directly impacting local employment patterns and opportunities.
“The need for highly-skilled and specialized technical labour to develop, operate and maintain these advanced machines and processes is now more pronounced.
“While local manufacturing firms have voiced their ambitions to expand locally, the technical skilled labour gap is a pressing challenge impacting our firms.
“Mississauga Council and staff remain committed to working closely with our partners in post-secondary education – the University of Toronto Mississauga and Sheridan College – to ensure we have the knowledge infrastructure in place to train and graduate world-class minds to work in the advanced manufacturing sector.
“Council continues to reaffirm its commitment to invest $10 million toward UTM’s new Innovation Complex.
“UTM injects $1.3 billion annually into Peel Region, with the bulk of the share going to Mississauga. With the addition of the Innovation Cube Accelerator, this campus continues to assert its own identity and reputation for research excellence.
“As UTM thrives and grows so does Sheridan College. Phase two of the Hazel McCallion Campus recently opened in March on nearly nine acres of prime downtown land made possible through a partnership between Mississauga and Sheridan.
“We want our educational institutions to be strong because our young people must reach higher.
“The City of Mississauga is committed to working with all of you in order to ensure that the local talent base meets industry needs.
“Today we have the chance to start something new. Today we have industry, post-secondary, education and training providers all here together to have open and frank discussions about what is happening locally to arrive at solutions.
“By being here today, your contributions will make an important, lasting difference. I would like to thank you for dedication and time.
“We all look forward to hearing your ideas to unleash the potential of Mississauga’s local economy.”
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