About Us

The Future of Canadian Automotive Labourforce (FOCAL) Initiative, funded in part by the Government of Canada (Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program), is a collaboration of the Canadian Skills Training and Employment Coalition (CSTEC), Automotive Policy Research Centre (APRC) and Prism Economics and Analysis.

Over a three year lifespan starting in mid-2019, the FOCAL Initiative has produced current labour market information related to Canada’s automotive manufacturing sector, examined key trends affecting the automotive labour market, and produced forecasts of supply and demand for key occupations in the broader automotive sector.

Our research and other findings has been shared with employers at all tiers in Canada’s broader automotive sector, as well as to educators, students, job-seekers, policy makers at all levels of government, labour organizations, and other non-government stakeholders in this important segment of Canada’s manufacturing industry.

FOCAL research, forecasts and findings can

  • help industry make informed decisions about workforce planning and skills development;
  • provide job seekers and students with a better sense of where employment opportunities will be in the sector; and
  • help educators and policymakers better understand the sector’s employment trends.

About the Canadian Skills Training and Employment Coalition (CSTEC)

Operating as a non-profit organization, CSTEC helps employers and employee organizations with multi-stakeholder solutions for a range issues including workplace training, apprenticeship, labour market information and adjustment, and career enhancement for youth and jobseekers. CSTEC is headquartered in Toronto, with regional coordinators in Hamilton, Sault Ste. Marie, and Kitchener/Waterloo.

About the Automotive Policy Research Centre (APRC)

The Automotive Policy Research Centre (APRC) is non-profit organization that conducts research and disseminates knowledge about how public policy supports Canada’s globally competitive automotive industry in an increasingly challenging global environment.

About Prism Economics and Analysis

Prism provides analytical and management-related services to clients in government, non-profit, post-secondary, and labour sectors. Prism’s in-depth knowledge of labour market structures, issues, sources, people, institutions, regulations, and policies leads to credible and practical research.

Project funding, structure & team

The Future of Canadian Automotive Labourforce (FOCAL) Initiative is funded in part by the Government of Canada (Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program).

A team of staff and resource people from CSTEC, the APRC, and Prism Economics and Analysis carry out project coordination, research, and stakeholder engagement, with the advice and support of an industry stakeholder advisory group.

FOCAL Initiative Team

Staff and resource people assigned to the initiative from CSTEC, APRC, and Prism include:

Ken Delaney

Ken Delaney

John McLaughlin

John MacLaughlin

Sabita Ramlall

Sabita Ramlal

Bassel Kazzaz

Bassel Kazzaz

Bill Empey

Bill Empey

Vincent Guglielmo

Vincent Guglielmo

Industry Stakeholder Advisory Group

The initiative’s Industry Stakeholder Advisory Group provides sector specific insights and advice to ensure that research and information disseminated by the initiative are broadly relevant. Advisory Group members represent a unique cross-section of the Canadian automotive manufacturing industry, with senior representatives from major auto assemblers, parts makers at all tiers, organized labour, and the Government of Ontario.

Bob Magee

Chairman

Woodbridge Group

Joe Mammarella

Director, Human Resources

Martinrea International Inc.

Steve Henry

Director of Apprenticeships

Magna International

Angelo DiCaro

Research Director

Unifor

Marlène Chamandy

Manager, Government Relations

Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd.

Norm Lasante

Maintenance Planning and Optimization Manager

Algoma Steel

Lauren Tedesco

Senior Vice President

Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA)

Nicole Vlanich

Administrative & Support Services Coordinator

CAMM/Automate Canada

Hanif Nori

Manager, Government Relations and Environmental Affairs

Honda Canada

Adrian Tylim

Head Business Development USA

Blue Solutions

Brian Kingston

President and Chief Executive Officer

Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association (CVMA)

Brendan Sweeney

Managing Director

Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing