Host Jason Bates and EMC President JP Giroux lead a roundtable with three valued EMC member companies to discuss the impact and sustainability of the Pay-for-Performance (PFP) training model. Hear from Canplas Industries, The Gund Company, and Fluidconcepts as they share how PFP funding motivates training investment, supports continuous learning, and drives productivity on the shop floor. A must-listen for anyone focused on workforce development and closing the manufacturing skills gap.

About the PFP Pathway Program:
The Pay-for-Performance (PFP) Pathway is a Future Skills Centre–funded initiative testing how incentive-based funding can encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to invest more intentionally in employee training. Working with nearly 80 employers across manufacturing, food processing, the bioeconomy, and environmental sectors, the program requires companies to pay upfront for training and receive up to 70% reimbursement upon completing milestones designed to strengthen long-term training capacity. Early findings show that PFP helps employers maximize their training budgets, adopt more strategic planning, and involve leadership in aligning skill development with business needs. Insights from the program aim to inform future workforce strategies, including potential cost-sharing approaches for emerging skills such as AI literacy, manufacturing skilled trades and green competencies.

Special Thanks:
Thank you to our partners—Food Processing Skills Canada, BioTalent Canada, ECO Canada, Future Skills Centre, and the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC)—for their support and collaboration.

For more information on the PFP Pathway Program, please contact aedwards@emccanada.org

Brought to you by EMC, Canada's largest manufacturing consortium.

In this episode of EMC's Factory Focus podcast, host Jason Bates sits down with Matt Weller, EMC's Senior Advisor for Supply Chain and Productivity, to unpack the critical challenges and opportunities facing Canadian manufacturing today. From national productivity decline and global trade disruptions to the rise of AI and the potential of low-volume, high-value production, this episode explores why Canada's manufacturing sector must rethink its approach. Matt offers strategic insights on reindustrialization, the effectiveness versus efficiency debate, and the creation of domestic supply chain ecosystems.

Brought to you by EMC, Canada's largest manufacturing consortium.

In this episode of EMC's Factory Focus Podcast, host Jason Bates sits down with John Galbraith from The Data Integrators to explore the transformative role of AI in manufacturing. They dive into digital transformation and why many manufacturers struggle to make software work for them. John shares insights on common challenges, practical AI applications on the shop floor, and how companies can start their AI journey without breaking the bank.

Tune in now to discover how AI is reshaping the industry and why embracing it is key to staying competitive!

More About John Galbraith:

John Galbraith is a Data Operations Specialist with expertise in driving
efficiency and innovation through digitization, automation and
artificial intelligence. He excels in applying practical solutions to
optimize workflows, improve decision-making, and deliver measurable
results in dynamic environments. With a passion for empowering businesses, John provides AI training to manufacturers across Canada, helping organizations unlock technology's potential for growth and sustainability. Outside of work, he is dedicated to mentorship and community-building, fostering positive change through local initiatives and eco-conscious projects.

Brought to you by EMC, Canada's largest manufacturing consortium.