Trudy Parsons
MBA, C.I.M., P.Mgr.
Director, Workforce Development
t. +416.367.3535 / 237
e. tparsons@millierdickinsonblais.com
Trudy is Millier Dickinson Blais’ Director of Workforce Planning. She began her career with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador before entering the private sector, where she started her career path towards workforce and skills development. Trudy served as Director of Continuing Education and Corporate Development with Keyin College before relocating to Hamilton, Ontario, in 1996 where she established a branch of the college and spearheaded its operations until 2000.
Prior to joining Millier Dickinson Blais, Trudy spent 10 years as Executive Director for the Niagara Workforce Planning Board (NWPB), formerly the Niagara Training and Adjustment Board, where she grew the organization from a 2 person office to an organization that is recognized today as a leader in local labour market planning and a credible research organization. Through her honest approach to building partnerships and strategic alliances, she has a reputation for bringing people together and achieving measurable results.
Trudy was instrumental in designing, initiating and implementing an integrated labour market planning framework that brought together top level leaders and community representatives across private, public and voluntary sectors. In September 2009 Niagara Labour Market Plan… A Vision in Action 2009-2013 was released, a report that has gained significant attention at the local, regional, provincial and national level. This 5 year strategic plan is grounded in the regional economic growth strategy and supports development of a workforce that can transition across economies to position Niagara with a skilled, knowledgeable and resilient talent pool for a competitive leading edge economy.
Trudy is also recognized across the province for her leadership role within Workforce Planning Ontario, a network of 25 local planning areas that work at the local level to inform and influence labour market planning.
Her extensive expertise includes community development, stakeholder engagement, sector specific labour market strategy development, target specific workforce development planning for youth, older workers, internationally trained professionals and immigrants. Areas of focus have included creative class occupational profiles, industry profiling, occupational analysis, green economy, and human capital development models.
Trudy holds her MBA from Devon University and designations in Certified in Management (C.I.M.) and Professional Manager (P.Mgr.) from the Canadian Institute of Management. She has been a long standing member of the Board of Directors at both the local and national levels with CIM, recently been awarded a life membership with the Hamilton Branch for her commitment and contribution. In 2011 she was elected to the Board for the Economic Developers Council of Ontario. She is also the author of numerous reports, articles, and other publications on the topic of local economic development and its relationship and influence on labour market planning.
Born in St. John’s NL, Trudy now lives in Caledonia where she and husband Gary enjoy time with their children Deanna and Bernard, and daughter-in-law Patricia.
