NLWIC and Magnet Announce the Launch of the NLWIC Best Practices Repository

CORNER BROOK, NL (April 10, 2025) – The NL Workforce Innovation Centre (NLWIC) at College of the North Atlantic today announced the launch of the NLWIC Best Practices Repository (NLWIC BPR) which is powered by Magnet, a centre for innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University.

The NLWIC Best Practices Repository contains a wealth of research and workforce development knowledge and is linked to the Future Skills Centre Community of Practice (CoP) platform. The aim of this work was to bring together relevant research into a centralized resource to provide a set of applicable and achievable best practices that can be adopted and used in different geographical and thematic contexts.

Sharon McLennon, Director at the NL Workforce Innovation Centre, says that the NLWIC BPR is a key part of the organization’s knowledge mobilization strategy.

“We are committed to continuous improvements to workforce development and invite employers and other labour market stakeholders to sign up and immerse themselves in the research projects, learn from the workforce development models and tools, and become workforce innovators to support and expand the workforce in our province,” says McLennon.

The 20 applied research projects currently within the NLWIC BPR address labour market challenges and opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond, particularly underrepresented groups in the labour market. These projects, funded to date by NLWIC, followed two Calls for Proposals in 2017 and 2018, totaling $7,663,736.

Joanne Kendrick, Research and Innovation Project Coordinator at NL Workforce Innovation Centre, says that the goal of the platform highlights the value of leveraging the resources.

“The purpose of the digital platform is to host research findings and deliverables to share what has been learned within the Community of Practice (CoP),” she said. “Employers and labour market stakeholders can use the evidence and results to learn from other community organizations, the communities where they operate, and the participating underrepresented groups.”

It is hoped that the NLWIC Best Practices Repository will facilitate greater collaboration and sharing of information, assist in improving innovative research across the pan-Canadian workforce and skills development ecosystem, and track the impact of the implemented research on employment, employability, and entrepreneurship.

Mark Patterson, Magnet Executive Director, recognizes that the platform is an important collaboration and initiative.

“Social and economic development in Canada depends on the efforts of countless stakeholders. The NLWIC BPR will play an essential role of facilitating knowledge exchange and enabling greater adoption of best practices. We’re proud to work with NLWIC on this important initiative.”

The online hub will eventually house research findings from research conducted by NLWIC and research collaborations with partner organizations.

“It is important to learn from others, share in experiences, understand diverse research perspectives, and to grow together to solve labour market ecosystem challenges,” says McLennon “Whether you are passionate about filling gaps in the workforce, strengthening the workforce, increasing employability of the labour force, or eager to learn from the collective wisdom of workforce innovators, the platform is the best place to find answers to workforce development questions.”

The NLWIC Best Practices Repository is available by visiting: NLWIC Best Practices Repository

-30-

Media Contact:

Lana Roestenberg
Public Relations Specialist
NL Workforce Innovation Centre
Tel: 709.758.7350
Email: lana.roestenberg@nlwic.ca

About NLWIC

Established in 2017 by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and administered by College of the North Atlantic, NL Workforce Innovation Centre (NLWIC) has a provincial mandate to provide a coordinated, central point of access to engage all labour market stakeholders about challenges, opportunities and best practices in workforce development.

NLWIC’s goal is to promote the research, testing and sharing of ideas and models of innovation in workforce development that will positively impact employability, employment and entrepreneurship within the province’s labour force and particularly underrepresented groups. Funding for NLWIC is provided by the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills (IPGS) under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement.

About Magnet

Magnet, housed at Toronto Metropolitan University, stands at the forefront of social innovation in the labour market ecosystem.

As a Centre of Innovation, our mission is to transform the future of work through strategic collaboration and the development of digital solutions. We leverage a vast network of partners and harness cutting-edge technologies to address emerging workforce challenges, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic economic landscape across Canada.