OWEN SOUND, Ont.: The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium of Canada (EMC) and Textiles Human Resources Council (THRC) have partnered to launch the Canadian Manufacturing Network.

The network connects manufacturers through knowledge sharing, expertise and learning resources, to strengthen the sector and help advance their businesses globally.

“We’re taking EMC’s grassroots concept and, as it continues to grow, we are looking at how we can bring companies together,” says Scott McNeil-Smith, director of development and marketing at the Owen Sound, Ont.-based EMC. “With the web, we have the capability to engage manufacturers in a two-way, dialogue driven network.”

EMC and THRC are also launching the Manufacturing Jobs Resource Network (MFGJOBS) and an online skills and learning portal.

Manufacturers will place listings on the free job board with resources that will support employers and job seekers who can post their resumes and create a profile.

“We wanted to really provide support for the next evolution of jobs and develop the infrastructure necessary to keep jobs in Canada,” says McNeil-Smith.

The learning portal provides access to bilingual, industry-vetted online programs covering thousands of subjects. Skills development programs on a wide range of subjects include: manufacturing, technical, business and personal development, computer and workplace performance skills.

Learning programs will feature lessons from the Harvard Business School.

McNeil-Smith says the program is also very affordable. The cost is $0.99 per employee per month, which will allow companies to fully engage learning as part of an employee’s daily life.

“This is something that’s been piloted for a while now, it’s a training portal that’s being used by more than 20,000 users already,” he says. “It’s industry driven and it’s industry tested.

And while manufacturing in Canada has taken its fair share of hits since the recession, EMC president Al Diggins says the sector’s outlook is improving, but changes are on the horizon.

“Manufacturing will never be what it was, but what companies are doing in terms of their products is a lot narrower in scope,” he says. “Those who are left are strong, they’ve survived through the higher-valued dollar and recession. There are still challenges, but the outlook is generally strong.”

Click here to access the Canadian Manufacturing Network

The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium is a not-for-profit organization consisting of 53 consortium regions across Canada with a focus on delivering resources and learning to help companies grow their businesses and compete globally.

The Textiles Human Resources Council is a non-profit partnership delivers skills development opportunities to textiles workers. www.thrc-crhit.org