The Mayor of Steinbach says city council will advocate to bring more skilled workers to the city and also to train more workers locally. Earl Funk made the comment after city council toured Loewen Windows. He says Loewen, like many local companies, is in growth mode and is struggling to find people with the required training. Funk says there is a federal program that helps companies in this regard but, he adds, Loewen doesn't qualify.

Mayor Earl Funk"The Rural Immigration Support Program doesn't apply to Steinbach because we are not at least 75 kilometres away from Winnipeg. So introducing skilled workers with skilled trades is becoming difficult because we don't get that assistance."

He says the city will ask the federal government to reconsider its criteria under this program.

Funk adds city council also wants to talk to local education institutions about training programs for firms like Loewen.

"Companies like them, which are very heavily trades and manufacturing-based, need to have a closer connection with our local high schools so that more students can be trained in the trades right here in Steinbach. That might be a discussion we have to have with different education bodies in our community such as Red River and, possibly, the Hanover School Division to see what can be done."

Funk says it's all about making sure the city has a skilled workforce as well as developing partnerships to create opportunities for young people here.