How Pearson airport plans to fill jobs with laid-off Stellantis workers

There's a new initiative in Peel for some people affected by the trade war. It's a pilot program focused on growing skill sets for new employment opportunities and it begins with some of the laid-off workers from the Stellantis plant in Brampton. On Monday, Toronto Pearson, the Region of Peel and United Way, Greater Toronto, announced a $1 million investment for what they're calling the Peel Gateway to Employment. This program will facilitate taking these already skilled, stellar employees and helping them change to new career paths and matching them with the employers. The announcement comes after auto manufacturing company Stellantis paused its operations in 2023, laying off more than 2,200 employees. The new program is being delivered by Access Employment. It begins December 1st and will run for a year, supporting 200 skilled workers affected by economic disruption. Many of these people are highly skilled, so we're trying to help them transition and utilize their skills in a different way, with a different employer, but not start over. Carol explained that each cohort will have 25 people. Each charting a path to a new job, taking a skill needs assessment and getting two weeks training. We're trying to expedite people's route to employment and get them into employment very, very quickly. The program targeting Stellantis employees will focus on connecting skilled workers with the 18,000 employers in the Pearson Economic Zone. That's a 200 kilometer commercial and industrial hub around the airport, the largest employment area in Canada, according to Toronto Pearson. Several elected officials in the region praised the program for supporting workers during difficult economic times. Behind every job loss is a person, is a family, and a future that deserves support. That's why the Peel Gateway for Employment Pilot Program is so important. 200 workers are going to see the benefits of this. Today is about channeling that opportunity. So honoured to be here, congratulations to everyone involved, and look forward to workers hearing this message very clearly. No one will be left behind in the Region of Peel. Workers can sign up directly with Access Employment or connect with WCG Services. Jayden Dillis, CBC News, Brampton.