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Understanding Future Skills: Emergence of an Ecosystem for the Digital Economy

The focus of this report is on the emergence of the digital economy ecosystem in Quebec, with a specific focus on the Montreal artificial intelligence cluster.

The report includes a mapping exercise that identifies and traces the connections between the many intermediary agencies involved in supporting the various initiatives and relationships that define this cluster. It also involves an exploration of the interface between different policy initiatives and institutions and how they have helped or hindered the development of the cluster.

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The authors also examine the impact of the digital economy, especially how various stakeholders present in this ecosystem – governments, consulting firms, employers, trade unions, and others – frame issues related to the impact of its arrival and growth on jobs and work. Critically, the shift in high demand skills brought about by the emergence of the digital economy, and the interaction of this shift on the other factors influencing the emergence of Quebec’s digital economy ecosystem, will form a central analytical thread that runs throughout the report. Correspondingly, the authors conclude the report with an exploration of the wider implications of their findings for all Canadians and the various skills strategies being developed with the aim of enabling other parts of the country to successfully navigate the future of skills.

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Optimizing Career Services: Resources for Post-Secondary Career Professionalsexternal link icon

Career development professionals (CDPs) play an important role in preparing post-secondary students for the workforce. To do this effectively, they need access to high-quality, easy-to-use resources and labour market information.
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Training for Tomorrowexternal link icon

Transitioning to a low-carbon economy will bring changes to the Canadian workforce. The Conference Board of Canada, on behalf of the Future Skills Centre, is researching how measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will affect demand for skilled tradespeople in construction and how education and training programs can prepare to meet this demand.
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Learning From One Another: Labour Markets in Yukon

The economy in Yukon is expected to grow by 41 per cent between 2024 and 2045. Employment in the territory is expected to increase by 10 per cent, mainly driven by increases in employment in public administration and defence, and commercial and non-commercial services. Read the primer to get our full analysis.
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