The inevitable question asked by anyone who faces the unexpected loss of their job is “What next?”
To that end, Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) is proposing that NEXT is an option well worth exploring.
An acronym for New Entrepreneurial eXploration Training, NEXT is a new initiative that gives displaced workers the knowledge and tools needed to go the self-employment route.
On Wednesday (October 29) at Venture North in downtown Peterborough, CFP executive director Devon Girard revealed details of the program.
“NEXT will allow (displaced) workers to participate in in-depth training, delivered in-person, both in cohort sessions and one-on-one, about how they can learn to turn an idea or skill into a business,” explained Girard.
“Training will consist of ensuring these displaced workers receive expert advice in business planning, market research, financial readiness and cash flow, marketing and branding, and launch strategies. Every step of this entrepreneurial journey will be supported by our team to ensure participants graduate with a viable business plan and cashflow forecast, and, importantly, the confidence to move forward and continue growing after (graduation from) the program.”
The need for this program at this particular time is abundantly clear.
Back in June, Siemens Canada announced that it’s moving its Peterborough manufacturing operation to Concord, affecting some 160 jobs over the next two years. Just a month later, kawarthaNOW reported that Lufthansa In Touch will close its Fisher Drive call centre come spring 2006, with some 400 employees facing job loss.
Then, in August, Coca-Cola announced it would be discontinuing its frozen products line — a move that will see production line layoffs at its Minute Maid facility in Peterborough.
“Our community has really been put to the test with recent announcements of plant closures and layoffs, but residents and businesses in Peterborough County and the City of Peterborough are resilient,” said Girard.
“We’ve weathered challenges like this before, and our workforce really is stronger because of it. It’s no different right now. We know the strength of people who live and work here. We look forward to playing a role in ensuring (through NEXT) that we keep as many families and workers as we can in our community while also creating new jobs.”
For employers with training dollars available to support displaced workers, the NEXT program returns those funds, dollar for dollar, back to the displaced worker upon program completion. CFP will also provide matching grant dollars of up to $1,000 per graduate to use those funds to start or grow their own business.
“Upon graduation (from NEXT), our services don’t stop there,” noted Girard.
“Graduates will continue to receive all of the free supports we offer at Community Futures Peterborough, and through our Business Advisory Centre. This includes ongoing one-on-one advisory sessions, and access to programs and workshops specifically designed for entrepreneurs. They will also be pre-approved for a $5,000 micro-loan, and free six-month membership from the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.”
Peterborough County has provided $6,000 to support the design, development and delivery of the NEXT program. A similar request made to the City of Peterborough was denied.
“The city was approached by Community Futures Peterborough about a program to support some displaced workers affected by recent layoffs,” confirms a clarifying statement from the city sent to kawarthaNOW upon request.
“Community Futures Peterborough asked for a $6,000 contribution from the city, which it said would have supported up to six individuals through a pilot program (NEXT). The city is working with employers on a larger initiative to have a much broader reach and impact for affected workers. The city hopes to have an announcement (about that initiative) soon.”
“The City of Peterborough is proud to be a core financial supporter of Community Futures Peterborough, and the Business Advisory Centre, contributing $43,500 to its operations in 2025 with an agreement to continue supporting in future years. This includes supporting work around business inquiries and business planning, with a specific focus on those looking at entrepreneurship, which is what this announcement also reflects.”
At the program announcement, County Warden Bonnie Clark said when the request for funding came in, “there was no hesitation” to ante up.
“We know the recent closures have deeply impacted many workers and families across all our communities,” said Warden Clark.
“The reality is many of the affected individuals are residents — our neighbours, our friends, and community members. What matters most is how we come together to support one another. That’s why the NEXT program is so important. It offers a path forward for those considering entrepreneurship as their next career.”
CFP board chair Wayne Harding also spoke from the podium.
“It (NEXT) provides displaced workers with a path forward … a map to entrepreneurship which, as we know, drives small business and drives local economies,” said Harding.
“We’ve always been an organization committed to doing what’s right for the community, for having the drive and leadership to create programs like NEXT to ensure equal opportunities for workers in businesses of all sizes. We look forward to meeting the graduates, and seeing the new jobs and businesses that will be created.”
Meanwhile, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Brenda Whitehead called NEXT “an incredible way to come together, and shine a light on fresh starts and bold ideas.”
“Every thriving business in our region started out with a leap of faith, or a lot of hope. Through NEXT, you (CFP) are going help local folks take those first brave steps, whether that means bringing a creative side hustle to life or maybe building the next great Peterborough success story.”
Interested employers are working directly with CFP to book dates to bring the NEXT program to workers.
To learn more about the program, visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca/programs/next-program/.
CFP has a mission to support small businesses with flexible financing in the City and County of Peterborough. It has invested more than $42 million in loan dollars, supporting 1,300-plus small businesses since 1985, creating or maintaining more than 4,600 jobs in both the city and county
A not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), CFP began delivering the Small Business Enterprise Centre program, funded by the Province of Ontario, in 2024.
CFP’s Business Advisory Centre also receives operational funding from the city and county of Peterborough. It provides a suite of business advisory services, from launch to exit, and currently advises hundreds of local business owners annually.
