Despite the threat of layoffs in manufacturing, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters is encouraging the government to continue to invest in skilled-trades education.
The CME's recent report, Keep Calm and Keep Training, shows Ontario's workforce was flat in 2024, with many companies freezing hiring and investment. According to their survey of companies in early 2025, 40 per cent of manufacturers postponed investment projects, 28 per cent froze hiring, and 28 per cent started seeking alternative markets.
But, an aging workforce means there are still 13,900 job vacancies in Ontario manufacturing and about 22,000 people retiring annually.
"The short-term issue we have right now, we can't let that become a long-term issue," said Denis Darby, President and CEO of CME.
"Even for the jobs that are there, we're losing people at a very high rate. So I think the hope is to continue to keep a focus on this to continue to put pressure on governments to continue to fund training," said Darby.
Darby indicated that with the expansion of the electric vehicle supply chain in the southwestern Ontario region, it is important to support workforce development, training and education to equip the region for the future.
"We have to actually start doing better at training, helping our businesses train folks that are in the system already. Many manufacturers aren't offering internships or apprenticeships so we have to find a way to incentivize that because these are good-paying jobs," said Darby.
Darby said there should also be a focus on attracting more under-represented women, indigenous people and immigrants with in-demand skills.