We did end up recommending 69 people, some of them do have spouses and children as well, so it s probably more like around 80 or so people that are coming through this program in its first year, said Emily Lauzon, a workforce development officer with the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission. We re looking at having maybe a few more next year, she said, noting up to 150 people could take part in the program in 2021.
Nearly half of the participants in 2020 worked in the healthcare field, which includes nurses, personal support workers and dental assistants.
Other occupations highlighted included food service, engineering and transportation.