Latest News & Events
Event
Building the Future: How Investing in Tradeswomen Drives Economic Growth
Our December 1 webinar focuses on the practical approaches to keeping tradeswomen in the workforce. Panelists will examine systemic obstacles, highlight proven solutions, and discuss policy frameworks needed to scale impactful programs.
News Release
Future Skills Centre invests to turn PIAAC skills data into Canadian workforce insights
Canada’s productivity and prosperity depend in part on how effectively the country uses the skills of its workforce. To strengthen this foundation, the Future Skills Centre (FSC), funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Program, announced the selection of 10 research projects to tap into the potential of the OECD’s Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) dataset.
Blog
Can an Innovative U.S. Workforce Development Model Work in Newfoundland and Labrador?
What happens when employers take the lead in defining the talent they need? NLWIC piloted the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management model in rural Newfoundland and Labrador to explore whether an employer-led approach could help close the gap between workforce needs, training, and employment.
In the Media
Innovation at Scale: Why Replicating Proven Models Is Key to Closing Canada’s Skills Gap
Future-proofing Canada’s labour market means investing in ongoing skills development. Too often, successful pilot projects remain local, and evidence sharing, on its own, takes too long to impact real-world policy and practice.
Keep up to date with the latest research, news and events from FSC.
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A Future of Work That Works For All
The economy is evolving rapidly, and we need a skilled workforce — and training systems — that can adapt to whatever comes next. That’s why we focus on the priorities that Canada’s prosperity depends on: pathways to jobs, technology and automation, SME adaptability, an inclusive economy, and sustainable jobs.
We invest in new ideas that we evaluate and learn from, convene effective partnerships and collaborations, and generate critical insights into what works and what doesn’t when it comes to future-proofing the Canadian labour market.
3350+
project partners across every province, territory and sector
71%
of projects support underserved groups
105,500+
people received hands-on training or new job opportunities
1.14 million+
people have accessed resources that support their labour market pathway
Latest Reports & Insights
State of Skills
Meeting the Demand for Talent
Building a resilient national talent pool requires a shift from traditional credential-based hiring and training approaches towards skills-first practices and demand-driven training. These efforts must be paired with increased employer investments in training, and the active removal of systemic barriers for equity-deserving groups.
Research
Women in Trades: Progress, Barriers and Opportunities
The research addressed three core questions: What is the current state of women’s participation in skilled trades in Canada? What systemic barriers prevent women from entering, completing and advancing in the trades? And what strategies, domestically and internationally, have shown the most promise in addressing these barriers?
Research
Workforce Training in Canadian SMEs: Barriers and Promising Models
This project responds to the need for a clearer understanding of the factors shaping SME upskilling and the conditions under which training investments are more effective.
Research
The Right AI Tool for the Job: The Productivity Potential of AI Applications in Canada
Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to revolutionize work and drive productivity gains not seen in years. To assess the potential impact of AI, this analysis links AI application exposure to industry-level productivity outcomes.
Research
Pathways to Financing: Journeys of Successful Black Entrepreneurs
Building on other research and projects to support Black entrepreneurs, including BACEL and Capital Skills, this short report examines the pathways to financing taken by some well-known Black entrepreneurs in Canada.
Research
Bridging the Digital Skills Gap for Older Adults
This report examines how challenges related to affordability, health, design and usability, and infrastructure intersect with social, knowledge, attitudes, and emerging technology barriers shaping digital exclusion in older adults.
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