Labour Market Analysis and Training Capacity Review for Newfoundland and Labrador’s Forest Industry
RFP Release Date: March 4, 2021
Proposal Due Date: March 25, 2021
Background
The growth and success of Newfoundland and Labrador’s forestry sector is tied to its ability to address the challenges it faces with respect to sustaining a skilled labor force.
Forestry has traditionally been a major sector of Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy – presently valued at $380 million and supporting more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs. However, the industry is faced with workforce challenges. A survey conducted for the Atlantic Canadian forestry industry found that the average age of forestry workers now exceeds 55 and noted that a key challenge for forestry businesses is in attracting, recruiting, and retaining quality talent. These challenges are acute in Newfoundland and Labrador which faces an aging and declining population particularly in rural areas where major forestry operations exist.
As such, the Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Industry Association (NLFIA) is developing an Attraction and Retention Strategy for the forestry sector. NLFIA represents 96 percent of the province's commercial forest resource production. Established in 2017, the Association's founding members believe collaboration and partnerships are key to strengthening, growing, and transforming the forest industry in the province.
The first step in the development of its Attraction and Retention Strategy is the acquisition and analysis of key labour market data and assessing the training capacity accessible by industry to meet defined challenges. NLFIA is seeking the services of a qualified consultant to complete this important work.
Scope of Work and Deliverables
The scope of work has two separate, but highly related, focuses: (1) a labor market analysis, and (2) a training capacity analysis.
1. Labour Market Analysis
This analysis should include:
A literature review of available and relevant workforce information for Newfoundland and Labrador’s forestry industry;
Current and projected demand and supply of labour as expressed by industry decision-makers, workers, and other key stakeholders;
A series of occupational profiles for the fibre transformation facilities along with key sub-sectors of the industry – e.g. logging, trucking, silviculture, woodlands staff, bio-energy, etc.;
Reference to, and inclusion of, the National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes; and
The identification of opportunities to attract new workforce entrants.
A final report is required that will include: a demographic profile of current labour supply; anticipated future labour and skills requirements; key labour market issues identified; and potential new labour entrants. The consultant will present a summary of their findings to the client.
2. Training Capacity Analysis
This analysis should include:
The identification of skills and training gaps relevant to the Newfoundland and Labrador forestry industry, leveraging the results from the labour market analysis;
An inventory of available training programs in the Atlantic Canada region relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador’s forestry industry, including an understanding of the demand and supply of programming;
An understanding of the backgrounds of program participants (students) and the reasons why they were attracted to the industry; and
An assessment of the issues, challenges, and opportunities in attracting and retaining students and in meeting industry needs.
A final report is required that provides a series of recommendations on what actions related to the workforce and training programming should be taken in the interest of attraction and retention within Newfoundland and Labrador’s forestry industry. The consultant will present a summary of their findings to the client.
Schedule
March 4, 2021 Release of Request for Proposals
March 25, 2021 Submission Deadline for Proposals
April 5, 2021 Project Kick-Off
September 15, 2021 Submission of Draft Project Report
September 30, 2021 Submission of Final Project Report
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be heavily weighted against the proponent’s demonstrated forestry industry-specific experience, with reference to their expertise related to:
Canada, Atlantic Canada, and Newfoundland and Labrador;
Human resource components of the forestry industry, including but not limited to sustainable resource and woodlands management, wood transformation facilities (specifically newsprint, solid wood and value-added mills), and industry training/professional development; and
Recent advancements in equipment, technology, processes, and emerging products/markets that influence skills requirements
The proponent will also be evaluated on their:
Demonstrated understanding of the scope and objectives of the project;
Proposed approach/workplan and schedule;
Previous experience in the development of attraction and retention strategies, and with deliverables similar to those identified in the scope of work;
Experience working with both large and small companies in both union and non-union workplace environments; and
Price - value of work proposed versus identified costs
Budgetary Guidelines and Payment Schedule
It is expected that proponents will propose their own budgets in accordance with the scope of work that has been outlined in the Request for Proposals.
The payment schedule is as follows:
25% upon signing of contract
50% upon submission of draft study
25% holdback paid upon satisfactory completion of the project
Proposal Submissions
A single electronic document is sufficient for proposals. The proposal should be no longer than four (4) pages, and be concisely worded with clearly described objectives, methods, and outcomes. Proponents are expected to provide a work plan, supported by a GANTT chart, that outlines the project deliverables towards the completion date of September 30, 2021.
The proposal should feature appendices, including (1) a brief description of the respondent’s company and its relevant experience with similar projects, (2) a description of the relevant work experience of the staff assigned to this project, and (3) the GANTT chart. Proponents are welcome to attach other documents / information that they feel will strengthen their proposal.
Proponents should present in their submission details on how their workplan will be executed within COVID-19 health and safety guidelines in Newfoundland and Labrador. In some circumstances, sub-contracting elements of the project to localized service providers / partners may be beneficial.
The proposal must acknowledge and fully accept the terms and conditions as laid out in this RFP.
The electronic copy of submissions should be in DOC or PDF format.
Submissions should be sent to:
Bill Dawson, NLFIA’s Executive Director, via email at bill@nlfia.ca no later than 17h00 NST on March 4, 2021. Questions from interested applicants can be directed to the same address.
Terms and Conditions
All proposals received will be considered strictly confidential;
The lowest cost, or any proposal, will not necessarily be accepted;
Proposed costs must be represented in Canadian dollars;
No payment will be made for the preparation and submission of proposals for this project;
No fee will be made on the cost of work incurred to remedy errors or omissions for which the consultant is responsible; and
NLFIA reserves the right to meet with all, or any, of the applicants during the proposal evaluation stage to clarify information in the submissions and seek additional detail which may be used in the evaluation.