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(Image Credit: Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce)
By Nathaniel Leigh
Chamber of Commerce

Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce holding Employer Webinar Series March 31-May 26

Mar 25, 2026 | 3:45 PM

The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce is holding a free webinar series for local employers, taking place until late May.

The Employer Webinar Series in Northern Alberta aims to support rural and northern employers in building their workplaces through simple strategies.

The series will take place over five 90-minute sessions covering topics ranging from hiring a diverse workforce to building a positive workplace culture.

Session One:  Economic Immigration as a Workforce Strategy | Mar. 31 | 2 p.m. 

  • Overview of the Canadian immigration system (high level, employer-relevant).
  • Temporary vs. permanent pathways and why it matters for employers.
  • First steps for employers hiring or considering hiring diverse talent, including when to seek support from a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).
  • Rural workforce realities and local labour shortages.

Session Two: Effective Hiring and Onboarding Practices for a Diverse Workforce | Apr. 13 | 2 p.m. 

  • Inclusive recruitment and candidate screening practices.
  • Recognizing and reducing bias in hiring decisions, including navigating “Canadian experience” among potential candidates.
  • Effective onboarding for diverse talent.
  • Setting clear expectations and early performance support.
  • Tools and strategies that improve early retention.

Session Three: Understanding the Needs of Diverse Talent | Apr. 28 | 2 p.m.

  • Best practices to support diverse talent.
  • The social and cultural needs of diverse talent in and beyond the workplace.
  • Labour force challenges of diverse talent.
  • Understanding through storytelling and lived experience.

Session Four: Building a Positive Workplace Culture | May 12 | 2 p.m. 

  • How businesses can strengthen their workplace by leveraging employee talent.
  • Strengthening communication, teamwork and trust.
  • Understanding multiple identities and lived experiences.

Session Five: Resilient Workplaces and Leadership Strategies to Support the Workforce | May 26 | 2 p.m. 

  • Strong leadership and how it can strengthen workforce culture.
  • Building trust, belonging, and safety.
  • Aligning policies and practices with inclusion.
  • Effective communication across different backgrounds.
by Nathaniel Leigh