By Cathy Dobson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
The gloom of an 11% unemployment rate in Sarnia-Lambton lifted somewhat Friday with news that a great deal is being done behind the scenes to create jobs.
And at least one sector is experiencing growth and hiring professionals locally, say economic development officials.
“I feel optimistic,” said George Mallay, general manager at the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP).
His county-funded office has 11 staff committed to attracting new business and industry to the area.
“We have to serve both ends of the market, both skilled and semi-skilled jobs,” Mallay said.
He projects as many as 250 new businesses will open in Sarnia-Lambton by 2015, creating 400 jobs.
SLEP also expects to attract three new manufacturing plants in the next three years and to announce new tenants at the local research park.
There will also be new commercial ventures in the downtown core, related to the opening of the new public art gallery this year, said Mallay.
He released SLEP’s new three-year strategic plan at a breakfast attended by 160 community leaders at the Lambton Inn Friday.
Interest in the strategic plan’s release appeared to be heightened given the area’s recent economic challenges and job loss.
About 500 call centre and casino jobs are due to disappear within the coming weeks, with little on the horizon for unskilled or semi-skilled workers.
While efforts are underway to replace those jobs, Mallay said the picture is brighter at the other end of the hiring spectrum.
The city’s engineering sector is expanding and dozens of highly-skilled workers are being added to the local workforce.
“We will be hiring two dozen or more engineers and project management people in Sarnia,” confirmed Leslie Quinton, vice-president of global corporate communications for SNC Lavalin Inc. on Front Street North.
The new jobs are permanent positions needed for projects both in Sarnia and elsewhere, Quinton said.
“We expect to have modest growth between now and the end of the year.”
Other industry insiders say engineering firms in Sarnia are hiring permanent and contract positions this spring. Some jobs are being filled in anticipation of proposed Sarnia-based projects still to be confirmed.
WorleyParsons’ Sarnia office recently advertised for about 40 long-term positions, including senior, intermediate and junior engineering and project management personnel.
“Not all the projects they are hiring for are in Sarnia,” Mallay said. “But the work will be done in Sarnia.”
Many projects are in Alberta but there’s a shortage of skilled professionals for hire there, he said.
“It’s easier to attract and retain them in Ontario.”
Mallay’s strategic plan had more good news, this time for small business, historically responsible for a lot of local job creation.
There are some 7,000 businesses with fewer than 19 employees, a number that has remained steady despite the city’s economic challenges.
Over the next three years, Mallay said SLEP intends to:
• focus on attracting food processing plants, like the Dr. Oetker pizza plant that just located in London;
• try to attract another call centre that could use the space vacated by NCO on Modeland Road;
• leverage existing Information Technology and data processing initiatives at Lambton College;
• keep its key focus on the chemistry industry, the potential of Marcellus shale gas, biobased plants and oil sands opportunities.
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