Huntsville Council pivots workforce development partnership initiative

Huntsville Council has redirected funds from a stalled labour gap study with Explorer’s Edge into youth-focused tourism training programs aimed at strengthening the local workforce.

Huntsville Council agreed to pivot the workforce development partnership initiative with Explorer’s Edge, in the September 22, 2025, Council meeting.

The company indicated that the Town partnered with them in 2023 on a project referred as the “Catalyst Housing Foundational Framework” for a labour gap analysis “to position Huntsville as a potential catalyst housing pilot.”

According to their report, the Town contributed $15,000 for the research covering areas such as labour shortages, training/skill gaps, housing, wages and sector housing needs.

However, the research findings came up short with only 9 responses out of 33 attempts, according to Explorer’s Edge, causing them to halt the study “to not waste taxpayer money,” leaving the Town with a remaining $7,500.

The company attributed the low response rate to “survey fatigue,” and recommended that Council use the remaining money on two alternative initiatives.

The first initiative is the OTEC Service Excellence Workshop which costs $5,000 and provides frontline training certification for youth covering areas like emotional intelligence, service recovery, and inclusivity.

The other initiative is through a Lakehead University and High School program covering topics like tourism marketing, traveler profiles and patterns, and the government role in tourism.

Benefits of the student programs include enhanced skills and awareness, and “immediate future workforce impact,” indicates the report.

It adds that the goal of this strategy is anticipated to have a positive impact on areas such as economic development, capacity, and growth.

Councillor, Jason FitzGerald, supported the idea to pivot along with the rest of Council. He mentioned that the tourism industry is evolving and “we have to figure out how to get these kids engaged, and to remain in the community.”

Councillor, Helena Renwick, said she was surprised they don’t already have tourism options in place for youth.

She also suggested they receive feedback about the impact of the initiatives to see how they’re progressing with their return on investment. She added, “What a great way to invest the money in tourism in our community.”

The company agreed to return to Council with updates about the progress being made.