“We’re in the process of getting a list of interested entrepreneurs willing to take part,” said Carole Lavigne, director the for United Counties of Prescott-Russell economic development and tourism department (UCPR).

The UCPR and the Employment Services Centre in Hawkesbury (ESC) are partnering on a labour force study of the Prescott-Russell region. Cost for the $65,000 study is paid for through an Ontario Labour Market Program grant.

The study will collect information to determine the existing labour force profile for the region. They will use the comments and suggestions from participants to identify gaps, including what kinds of skilled employees are in short supply or lacking altogether.

“We’re looking at everything,” Lavigne said. “This is about the whole Prescott-Russell region.”

The study will include comments and feedback from participating businesses throughout the region, including small, medium-sized, and large commercial, industrial, high tech, and agricultural. Both the UCPR and the ESC want information from local education institutions on what job-related courses are most in demand by students whose resumés are focused on either career development or trades. Feedback from the youth sector is also wanted.

“We want to know what the youths are interested in,” Lavigne said. “It’s all about what kinds of jobs we need to have in Prescott-Russell. What are the opportunities? We need to know more.”

The labour force study will use online and phone studies to gather information. The online survey will be available through the UCPR website.

Deadline for completion of the study is the end of December. A detailed report should be ready to present to UCPR council in January.