Brave New Work

Gig work is becoming increasingly prevalent in Canada as platform economy technological disruption sweeps north. Gig work can allow workers flexibility, but this type of work often becomes a substitute for more secure employment. This piece examines the nature of gig work in Canada by exploring who gig workers are, why they choose to pursue gig work, how they perceive their own social status and the policies they prefer.

PPF's flagship Brave New Work project is wrapping up by rounding up the perspectives and insights of over 20 of the people who contributed to the project over the years. We ask them what they learned about the future of work, and what they recommend needs to be done next.

Broad, rapid government support received widespread support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on their public opinion research, Peter Loewen and Blake Lee-Whiting argue that Canadians, especially those who lost income or jobs during the pandemic, would be eager to receive government-assisted skills training as part of that support.

A majority of Canadians indicate they have at least a basic understanding of AI and automation. Politicians have an opportunity to seize upon this perceived knowledge to address coming challenges by linking COVID-19 solutions to challenges — and potentially positives — presented by AI and automation. This new report by Peter Loewen and Blake Lee-Whiting shows signs that Canada has not seen a large populist backlash to the pandemic, but that could be coming, perhaps against immigration policies, if citizens feel the government is not following through on job creation.

A people-centric approach at AVIT Manufacturing in Peterborough, Ont. means that employees are continuously offered opportunities to upgrade their skills and learn new ones. AVIT provides a prime example showing that encouraging lifelong learning in workplaces is an asset. Read this case study by Daniel Squizzato on navigating precarity on managing transformation in disrupted sectors – all for PPF's Brave New Work project on the future of work.

There are lessons to be learned from industries that have survived and thrived through disruption, as well as those that have failed to navigate industry transformation. We need to learn from the past while we look for innovative ways of working together to rebuild the economy. To achieve these goals, we need to plan for inevitable change as all sectors, no matter how resilient writes Lori Turnbull. With the right tools, workers, employers and sectors can fortify themselves in a new economy.

Irving Shipbuilding Inc. found itself in the middle of a rapidly changing shipping industry, and had to adapt to the evolving requirements of talent and infrastructure. Their grow-at-home approach may be the one to adopt in other disrupted sectors too. Read this case study by Sherry Scully on managing transformation in a disrupted sector – all for PPF's Brave New Work project on the future of work.

Millions of modest-income earners in Canada are precariously employed. The pandemic has created more unstable economic conditions than ever before--we need a plan for the future of precarious work. Read this case study by Catherine Lathem on navigating precarity in non-standard work – all for PPF's Brave New Work project on the future of work.

An estimated 30 percent of the Canadian workforce is engaged in non-standard, precarious work, with an inability to transition to something more stable. As the labour market has been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, now is a critical time to examine what has played an integral part in shaping the current landscape of our labour market. This paper explores policy considerations around data, benefits and alternatives to envision a future where precarity does not have to be a reality.

Gig-work continues to grow in preference among workers for its flexibility, but increasing frustration surrounding the lack of benefits is proving to be an important challenge that needs to be tackled. Could portable benefits be the solution the gig-work economy needs? Read this case study by Catherine Lathem on navigating precarity in non-standard work – all for PPF's Brave New Work project on the future of work.

The government is looking for ways to support citizens in lifelong learning-- the Canada Training Benefit is one way of doing this. However, it may not be enough. Read this case study by Rosanna Tamburri on education innovation – all for PPF's Brave New Work project on the future of work.

Microcredentials are emerging as a popular method for upskilling, but their lack of standardization, among other concerns, may impact whether or not these programs are here to stay. Read this case study by Rosanna Tamburri on education innovation – all for PPF's Brave New Work project on the future of work.

The Michener Institute is the only postsecondary institution that directly works to meet the immediate needs of the healthcare system. "The Michener Model" may not only be valuable for Canada's evolving healthcare landscape, but may also have transferrable learnings for other sectors, too. Read this case study by Rosanna Tamburri on education innovation – all for PPF's Brave New Work project on the future of work.

COVID-19, the skills gap and automation have all conspired to change the work landscape in Canada and post-secondary institutions must respond to those changing needs. Add to that the fact that employers have been complaining for some time that new hires don’t have the skills the workplace demands, and you have a reason to re-evaluate the way universities operate. They tend to focus on content but employers are looking for cognitive and behavioural skills over content and disciplinary knowledge.

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