Workforce Windsor Essex is continuously gathering information on the local labour market in Windsor-Essex. To gather input from local employers, an annual survey is conducted to gather information on hiring needs, retention challenges, and training strategies.
As part of International Economic Development week in Windsor-Essex, Workforce WindsorEssex, Invest WindsorEssex, and St. Clair College launched the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Survey.
The survey received 117 responses from local businesses, the majority of which were from the Manufacturing and Other Services sectors. Of the 117 responses, 41% were from micro businesses, which have between one and four employees.
This annual survey, which was conducted from May 2- June 3, 2022, identifies the needs of businesses and assists economic development professionals to develop strategies that will support businesses to stay, grow, and become more competitive.
When looking at how businesses are operating, a total of 72% of respondents have all employees in the workplace, while 9% of respondents noted that they will continue to operate their businesses remotely on an indefinite basis.
When looking to hire, 39% of employers ranked the availability of qualified workers as Fair, and 31% of respondents ranking the ability to retain new employees as Good.
Survey respondents varied in their recent experiences with the community. While 54% of respondents reported no attitude change about doing business in the community since last year, 14% feel more negative since last year. Of the respondents, 68 businesses reported they plan to expand and four indicated they will be closing. The top barriers to growth in the region were identified as workforce skills shortage, marketing, and financing. The cost of space for rent or lease, cost of electricity, and support from municipality were identified by respondents as the most negative factors in doing business in the community.
On the brighter side, 81% of respondents feel that the Windsor-Essex region is an Excellent or Good community in which to do business and most positively ranked the following factors: access to high speed or fiber optic internet and availability of adequate electricity.
Responses from the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Survey will inform efforts in developing economic recovery plans for the region and for individual sectors as well as for broader programming for Windsor-Essex businesses.
View results from past employer surveys here.
