Jean-Pierre (JP) Giroux joins us to discuss how the manufacturing industry is changing to accommodate new technologies and a rapidly changing workforce. For more than two decades, JP has held positions of increasing responsibility with economic development, NGO, management consulting, industrial and corporate organizations throughout Canada. Beginning as an economic development officer in Canada’s Capital Region, JP has devoted the past 20 years developing innovative workplace performance-based solutions for the Canadian manufacturing sector.Giroux shares some of the key challenges Canadian manufacturers face in adopting new technology and how they can overcome these barriers.    Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Canadian manufacturers face significant challenges in adopting new technologies, such as automation, robotics, and digitalization, which are crucial for advanced manufacturing. Overcoming these barriers requires substantial investment and the ability to manage change, including upskilling the workforce to transition from old to new roles. 2. Creating inclusive work environments and attracting diverse talent are also major concerns, especially with an impending wave of retirements coming in the next ten years. To address labor shortages, manufacturers aim to appeal to women and individuals with disabilities by engaging with the next generation in schools. 3. Maintaining strong connections between school boards, high schools, and local industries is vital, particularly in rural communities, to ensure the sector's sustainability. Host: Maggie John