Landmark commitment builds pathways to
employment, enhances diversity and inclusion efforts, and provides
opportunities for upskilling as electrification of mobility
continues
ST. CLOUD, MN, Sept. 28, 2020 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of
America Inc. ("New Flyer"), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. ("NFI"),
one of the world's leading independent global bus manufacturers,
today announced the launch of its Anniston Workforce Development
Program ("AWDP"), a local program coming to life under the
Community Benefits Framework ("CBF"), a national workforce
development initiative announced by New Flyer and its partner the
Transportation Diversity Council ("TDC") earlier this year.
The AWDP is the only one of its kind in the southern U.S. and
includes:
- The execution of a workforce development program, including
training and development, skill gap assessments, wage and benefit
commitments, fulfillment of diversity and hiring objectives, and
pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs;
- The launch of an employee engagement committee;
- The execution of myriad partnerships and alliances with
community-based organizations ("CBOs");
- The continued procurement commitment to Disadvantaged Business
Enterprises ("DBEs");
- The ongoing support of new initiatives, including an annual New
Flyer bursary and provision of social and educational
supports;
- The advocacy for continued industry support and funding of
workforce development;
- The rigorous reporting of metrics and workplace practices;
and
- The rigorous monitoring of compliance, governance, and
oversight practices.
"Having launched our Community Benefits Framework earlier this
year, we're now thrilled to bring this local program to life in
Anniston alongside TDC," said Chris
Stoddart, President, New Flyer. "As our world continues to
evolve amid the adoption of zero-emission mobility, we know we can
– and we must – continue to improve our approach to workforce
development, diversity, and inclusion. We pursue improvement not
just for our team members, but for the community and the industry
as a whole, and look forward to augmenting this critical work in
the months and years ahead."
As a result of the AWDP, New Flyer has strengthened its local community outreach and recruitment
capacity, committing to the placement of groups of people not
traditionally employed in the manufacturing industry, including
those considered underrepresented, underserved, and/or
disadvantaged individuals. This includes workforce development
commitments on wages and benefits, working in partnership with
community-based organizations on recruitment, delivering intensive
on-the-job and classroom training, and supporting
pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs – including
development of an innovative four-year Electrical Technician
Apprenticeship Program which launches in early 2021.
"As communities around our country face workforce challenges,
Anniston will serve as an exemplary workforce development program
that will help define a new model for success," said Dwayne Sampson, President, TDC. "I am grateful
to New Flyer of America for believing in TDC, and for providing
greater accessibility and growth opportunities for those who need
it most. We look forward to strengthening relationships within
Anniston and the surrounding communities, and will continue working
hard to build career paths for every person to succeed in
manufacturing."
Local programs under the CBF are comprised of commitments,
initiatives, and partnerships shaped by and tailored to a specific
community with its participation. Using this approach, program
benefits are localized to and inclusive of the unique needs,
cultures, and characteristics of a community's citizens, including
its underrepresented, underserved, and disadvantaged people. For
the AWDP, this includes partner alliance development, now underway
with local CBOs such as, but not limited to:
- Alabama Career Center System
- Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
- Anniston Housing Authority
- Anniston Soup Bowl
- Calhoun County Career Academy
- Carver Community Center
- Dannon Project
- East AlabamaWorks
- Gadsden State Community
College
The announcement furthers New Flyer's commitments under the CBF,
announced in March 2020, and further
expands its partnership with TDC which first started in
2017.
For more information about the CBF, visit newflyer.com/CBF. For
more information about Transportation Diversity Council, visit
tdc-ntl.org.
About NFI
With 9,000 team members in ten countries, NFI is a leading
global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under the brands
New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI® (motor coaches),
Alexander Dennis Limited (single and double-deck buses), Plaxton
(motor coaches), ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses),
and NFI Parts™. NFI currently offers the widest range of
sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission
electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), natural gas, electric
hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its installed base
of over 105,000 buses and coaches around the world. NFI common
shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
NFI. News and information is available at www.nfigroup.com,
www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, www.arbocsv.com,
www.alexander-dennis.com, and www.nfi.parts.
About New Flyer
New Flyer is North America's
heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the most advanced product
line under the Xcelsior® and Xcelsior CHARGE™ brands. It also
offers infrastructure development through New Flyer Infrastructure
Solutions™, a service dedicated to providing safe, sustainable, and
reliable charging and mobility solutions. New Flyer actively
supports over 35,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI, and
Orion) currently in service, of which 8,600 are powered by electric
motors and battery propulsion and 1,900 are zero-emission. Further
information is available at www.newflyer.com.
SOURCE New Flyer of America Inc.