1989 BUSINESS SHOWCASE Page 3, Wednesday. February 22, 1989 Attersley: Town 2nd to none in attracting business When it comes to attracting industrial businesses to Whitb, the Town's economic and devé- lopment department is'second to none, says Whitby Ma or Bob Attersley. Attersley said the department. By Debbie Luchuk Businesses looking to become more competitive, to train empioyees in new technology, or just looking for someone to come in and give sound business advice, need not spend a lot of money to see problerns resolved by a professional. The Ontario Skills Develop- ment Office, throu h funding from the OntarioMinistry of Skills Development, has a train- ing consulting service that will help new or established businesses or industry to find the help they need to implement a business plan or training for employees. Margaret Greenley, Bernice Burke and Jeff Schissler are three of six consultants serving the Durham Region from the office at Durham College. The three serve the Oshawa-Whitby- Ajax region. 'We do the initial consultation with the business to perceive what the training needs are," Schissler said. "We act as a resource, giving employers information on who does training. We are called by the employer, who wants a con- sultant, and we review their needs. We are involved with stra- tegic planning, human resource planning. "Then we develop a business plan with the employer, source the trainers ( required), the fund- ing programs and work to deve- lop a training plan. We teach employers how to plan ahead," Greenley said. The training consulting service can work with any size or type of company. Greenley said that the ser- vice's consultants' are just that - consultants nothing more. But what they do on the job is access all information on training pro- grams, funding and other busi- ness aids through the federal, provincial and regional govern- ments. The consultant's services are funded by the Province, so even small, fledgling businesses can take advantage of services. Greenley said 70 per cent of training programs are to train employees on new computer equipment. "There are 13,000 employers in the Durham Region, and the ministry is trying to create a training culture in every busi- ness," Schissler said. "If a company is efficient, pro- ductive, then the economy (in the area, province) will be great." Greenley said, "We have an excellent handle on what's hap- IMPROVING YOUR ODDS CANADAS #1ILLER. -M$ mmmma.mi mi u.mma§ - m m RECYCLING CONSERVES NATURA Li *RESOURCES, HELPS * IMPROVE THE . *ENVIRONMENT AND! CREA TES NEW JoBS.i heaâed by Jeannettq' Babington, deserves a lot of praise foi, its active role in attra'cting indus- tries to the town. "They do a super job and are very involved from start to fin- ish," said Attersley, who himself, pening in Durham. We have the ability to source information for the companies,to act a middle man. Then it's u to the com- pany to make the Final decision. '"e emphasize cost-effective training, and have to'make the training fit what they require." Costs of trainin gcan be eased by Ontario Skills Program finan- cial assistance to the tune of up to 80 per cent of the costs. Applications for this funding are submitted by the consultants on the business' behalf "In order to apply to the pro- becomes involved in attracting industries. The Town attracted 28 new indstries, in 1988, to bring the total number of industries to 222. Those industries emplo 10,176 Whitby residents, accord- gram, they (businesses) have to be a client of our office," Green- ley said. In ,order to contact a training consultant, a business or indus- t can call the office at 576- 0 10, and one of the consultants will come to the business for discussion. "You need to take control of your business before it controls you "said Greenley. The Ontario Skills Develop- ment Training Consulting Ser- vice is located in the imcoe Buildin, Durham College. in to the department's figures. 'We keep our eyes and ears open and we work with the Region of Durham who pass along information," explained Attersley, on ways the Town becomes. aware'an industry is interested in locating in Whitby. The economic department then follows up the tip. "Lots of times we don't even know the name of the company and we have to start guessing. But once we talk to them about their hydro, water and sewer needs we know by experience what tpe of industry it is," said Attersley. He said many companies demand confidentiality when dealing with the Town because they don't want their competition to know they are moving. "They also don't want their present employees to become aware,"said Attersley. ,An example would be the Rowntree announcement that it plans to move from its Toronto ocation to the former Cadbury planton Champlain Ave. I "We looked at thpir problems including a need to expand,,and that is when the Region and 00 transit became involved,» said Attersley. "'Onl after those investiga- tions id the company go pub ic with its intentions.» Rowntree needed land to expand the plant which was owned by GO Transit. Earlier this year, GO Transit's board of directors voted to sell 10 acres of land around the plant th Rowntree. The company is now awaiting approval from Nestles, its parent company, to give aproval to the move. The first thing the department does is send out an information pamphlet about the town, describing the land available, the transit system and recreational and cultural facilites. If needed, Attersley then becomes personally involved. On occasion he has made trips throughout Ontario and into e United States to meet directly with companies. He says the Town is now working with a number of indus- tries looking at locating in Whitbyone, which according to Attersley, is verylarge. - t~e 1j'vV i 416- rS 53 LLx. r- 3 Training consulting service makes Durham businesses competitive