From hosting STEM camp to a skilled trades career day, the Town of Cobourg’s efforts to support its workforce of the future haven’t gone unnoticed.
The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) recently recognized the Town of Cobourg’s economic development department with an award of excellence for workforce development and talent attraction in the rural category.
Each year, EDCO recognizes and celebrates excellence in the field of economic development across the province at its President’s Dinner, held on February 6 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.
The EDCO awards of excellence is an annual program that recognizes the innovative, collaborative and distinctive work that economic development teams are doing across the province. Award recipients become economic development best practices of the future and are viewed as leaders in economic development and often asked to present their efforts and accomplishments at speaking engagements including the EDCO Conference and Showcase.
Cobourg was recognized because its economic development department and Venture13 partners launched several workforce programs in 2024 focused on youth and the young population. Programs such as the Skilled Trades Career Day, Policetech Accelerator Pitch Competition – Youth Edition, Skilled Trades Bootcamp, and youth STEM camps were featured in the submission.
“These initiatives provide our youth and young populations with opportunities for personal and professional growth in Cobourg,” Daniel Van Kampen, Cobourg’s manager of economic development, told kawarthaNOW.
The workforce development and talent attraction award category includes examples of economic development-driven initiatives such as job fairs, marketing campaigns, employment surveys, resident attraction and retention, and international student attraction and retention/immigration programs.
“I’m deeply honoured to accept this award of excellence on behalf of the Town of Cobourg,” Van Kampen said in a media release.
“It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of the economic development team and partners at the Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre. The town’s directors and council are very supportive and have helped to foster an environment of creativity where ideas can be explored and tested.”
In June 2023, council approved its first economic development and Venture13 strategy and action plan. The economic development team is actively implementing this strategy through to 2028.
The Venture13 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Centre in Cobourg strives to serve as a regional catalyst for emerging businesses and innovative ideas. Since it opened in 2018 in a former Canadian Forces Based known as Building 13, Venture13 has become a hub for knowledge-based ventures, with a collaborative ecosystem of partners that include Nventure (previously Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation), the Town of Cobourg, Cobourg Police Services, and the Northumberland Manufacturers’ Association. Venture13 provides flexible co-working space and educational programming to support entrepreneurs and local business professionals.
Supporting Cobourg’s business community — both future and existing professionals — through economic development programming is important, particularly given the current challenging economic landscape, Van Kampen told kawarthaNOW.
“Our economic development programs help support our existing businesses with workforce retention,” he said. “Our proactive workforce development approach develops skills in the labour force which is a key factor for businesses being able to expand locally as well as giving them the resiliency they need in unsettled times.”
