Skills

A new initiative to support economic growth by building a workforce with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time

Access Ability: Strategy Report

The Public Policy Forum and TD Bank Group (TD) today announced a new collaboration that will explore new ways to secure fairer access to economic opportunity for all Canadians.

The impact of COVID-19 on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been significant and severe. SMEs are the backbone of Canada’s economy, yet few have the resources to deal with the skills and labour shortages they face – shortages that the pandemic has only made worse. By combining preliminary data from an ongoing survey of SMEs, associated focus group discussions, and existing research, this report highlights opportunities to better support SMEs in the pandemic recovery and after. This includes a specific focus on embracing diversity and inclusion as a key way of addressing their skills needs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many workplaces to innovate rapidly in order to simply survive. But innovation is a critical component of our economic prosperity even during normal times. To be successful, Canada’s skills strategies must address skills for innovation across sectors — from solo entrepreneurs, to small and medium-sized businesses, to large corporations and even within government itself. While Canada has made significant efforts to foster a strong innovation economy, the pandemic has helped to reveal where these efforts have created strong foundations for success as well as areas where much remains to be done.

Canada’s post-secondary institutions are well positioned for the future, thanks to innovative approaches and a willingness to use technological advances in education. COVID-19 has challenged these institutions, but they have showed adaptability under pressure by accelerating their adoption of innovations. However, some challenges predate the pandemic such as better inclusion of equity-seeking groups in higher education. Better funding models and greater flexibility can build greater resilience and agility into the system while addressing long-standing challenges and inequities.

Immigration is an important part of Canada’s economic growth – especially in terms of sustaining the labour market. And although Canada welcomes many immigrants on our shores, we aren't creating an employment environment where they can use their skills and credentials to their fullest potential. This fact has never been more clear, with immigrants disproportionately impacted by a decimated hospitality and service sectors due to recurring pandemic lockdowns. There are several steps Canada needs to take to fix this problem, and doing so will benefit not just immigrants but Canada's economy as well.

A one-size-fits-all approach to pandemic recovery will not work. Programs tailored to the specific needs of specific groups will be important for a strong recovery, as will equitable access to critical supports, such as the infrastructure needed to overcome the digital divide. Businesses, governments and employees must all commit to reskilling — particularly when it comes to those from diverse groups who face barriers and bias — to develop an effective and inclusive skills and employment ecosystem that leaves no one behind.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a rapid rise in the number of Canadians who are teleworking. While for many the transition has been positive, and a significant number of workers and employers indicate an interest in continuing teleworking arrangements post-pandemic, there are inequalities in access and ability to telework. As teleworking will likely continue for many workers post-pandemic, taking steps to resolve these inequalities will be an important part of Canada’s economic recovery, as will ensuring that all Canadians are able to access the skills and training they need to succeed in this new working arrangement.

The emergence of COVID-19 forced a shift away from workplaces and schools to online working and learning, but this digital transformation has not been evenly experienced by all Canadians. This report examines the key components of Canada's essential digital infrastructure system, highlights worrying inequalities that exist within this system, and offers recommendations on how to quickly reduce some of the most glaring obstacles that prevent many of those who would benefit the most from accessing training, education and employment opportunities digitally from doing so.

Job polarization is one of several trends — including automation, offshoring and the growing importance of the gig-economy — that were already of general interest prior to the onset of the pandemic, but which have been pushed even further into the centre of public policy discussions by the arrival of COVID-19. As Canadian policymakers consider how to build back the economy after the pandemic, addressing the problems created by job polarization needs to figure prominently in their priorities.

How can we transform Canada’s skills policy landscape to address new trends in how we live, work, learn and socialize in the post-pandemic world? Developed in partnership with Diversity Institute and the Future Skills Centre, and supported by Microsoft, this Scoping Report represents the first phase of a new project designed to tackle these questions. In this initial scoping report, we take stock, outline the key skills issues created and exacerbated by the pandemic, and identify eight areas for research that will be explored in depth in Phase 2 of the project.

Whether it's new technology or global events driving the pace of change, Canadians are being asked to adapt in the workplace. Canada needs an essential skill framework that includes and looks beyond simple literacy and numeracy. It needs to include the 'soft skills' that industry leaders say are key to success and other essential skills that will help Canadians adapt, no matter what comes their way. Each needs to be measured and tracked to ensure Canadians remain globally competitive, and this paper argues that renewing Canada’s Essential Skills framework is the place to start.

Past Event

If skills are the new currency of the 21st century, we need to clarify the terms of exchange. Competency frameworks are critical to reducing friction in the skills and employment ecosystem by providing more clarity on how we define, assess, develop and utilize skills. Join the authors of a new Skills Next report and our esteemed panelists on Nov. 13.

This paper outlines places where technology can or is providing innovative approaches to skills training. This includes the assessment of skills, development of skills, and the alignment of supply and demand — including advancing bias-free recruitment. With real-world examples from around the world, it also reviews how technology can improve access, diversity and workplace inclusivity amongst equity-seeking groups.