Future Skills Podcast
Canada is facing wide-reaching demographic, environmental and technological changes that are posing increasingly significant challenges to the world of work.
The Future Skills Podcast, presented with The Conference Board of Canada, features conversations with leading voices to unpack these issues and more facing employers, workers and policy makers in Canada. Subscribe and listen to gain a deeper understanding of the solutions forward and employment pathways for the future of work.
Thanks to all of our listeners for downloading this podcast over 17,000 times!
Season FOUR
Episode 7: Labour Market Data & Disruption – Insights from FSC @ Cannexus25
In this special live mini episode of the Future Skills Podcast, recorded at Cannexus25 in Ottawa, host Jeremy Strachan explores how labour market information (LMI) is shaping career development, workforce planning, and skills training in a time of rapid change. Featuring insights from Jason Dennison (Fleming College), Tony Bonen (The Conference Board of Canada), and Tricia Williams (Future Skills Centre), the discussion unpacks how data-driven decision-making can help job seekers, educators, and policymakers navigate economic shifts, automation, and AI’s growing influence on the labour market.
From understanding regional job trends to leveraging tools like OpportuNext for career transitions, this episode highlights the critical role of LMI in building a resilient workforce. What skills will be in demand? How can Canadians future-proof their careers? And, how do we make labour market data more accessible and actionable? We’ll hear three expert perspectives on the evolving skills ecosystem and what it means for the future of work.
Episode 6: Neurodivergent Student Experiences in Post-secondary Education
In this mini episode of the Future Skills Podcast, Jeremy Strachan speaks with Dr. Jennifer Fane, Lead Research Associate at the Conference Board of Canada, about her recent study on neurodiversity in Canadian post-secondary education. The research, conducted in partnership with the Future Skills Centre, explores key findings from the report Creating Inclusive Campuses: Neuroinclusive Policies and Practices in Post-secondary Education.
The discussion highlights the challenges neurodivergent students face, including their invisibility on campuses, complex accommodation processes, and persistent stigma. Dr. Fane calls for greater accessibility within equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) frameworks and offers practical recommendations, such as establishing neurodiversity hubs and providing campus-wide neurodiversity training.
The episode also previews upcoming Future Skills Centre research on inclusive employment pathways for neurodivergent individuals.
Episode 5: Insights from Magnet Network Live
In this bonus episode of the Future Skills Podcast, new host Jeremy Strachan dives into highlights from the Magnet Network Live event held in Toronto in October 2024, where leaders gathered to address Canada’s talent, training, and skills challenges. The episode features insights on AI, productivity, and Canada’s “12/21 problem,” where outdated learning models fall short in a 21st-century workforce.
Key discussions focus on the need for risk-taking in business, the importance of social and emotional skills, and the critical role of trust in the workplace. Strachan also explores immigration’s role in Canada’s future, barriers faced by international students, and the impact of the Future Skills Centre’s efforts to foster an inclusive economy through innovative partnerships and initiatives across Canada.
Episode 4: Empowering Futures: Supporting Black Talent in the Canadian Labour Market
The Black population in Canada is expected to exceed 3 million by 2041. Despite growing awareness of the root causes of inequities faced by Black communities, we don’t yet have interventions at scale in the skills ecosystem. In this episode, our guests describe the importance of culturally relevant, targeted programing for supporting Black communities in Canada to thrive in education and employment.
Our guests envision a future where gaps in educational attainment and wages between black and non-black individuals are closed, and where anti-Black racism in our classrooms and workplaces is eradicated. They share successful components of workforce development programs, including social capital development, mentorship, socio-emotional development, and community involvement.
Episode 3: Canada’s Productivity Puzzle — The Skills Connection
We’ve heard the term “productivity” come up a lot lately. But what does the term really mean? And why does strong productivity matter for leaders, decision makers, and to Canadians at-large? Three experts join us in this episode to help us unpack this concept. They give us an overview of the economic concepts behind productivity, suggest solutions to help boost Canadian productivity, and explain why skills development and innovation are an important part of this conversation.
Episode 2: Educating for Sustainability—Green Skills in Canada
The urgency of the climate crisis is undeniable. The transition to a clean economy demands significant changes in skills, occupations, and attitudes. In this episode, we delve into the challenges, opportunities, and strategies associated with developing higher education graduates who are equipped to lead and grow a sustainable economy. Our distinguished guests provide key employer, post-secondary, and international perspectives. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of higher education, employment, and a sustainable future.
Episode 1: Educational AI—Unlocking Potential in Postsecondary Institutions
In this episode, we delve into the implications of the AI revolution for teaching and learning within Canada’s postsecondary institutions. Join us as we speak with a researcher, an AI sector leader, and a university Chief AI Officer to uncover how this technology is reshaping education. From real-world applications to ethical considerations, we explore the opportunities and challenges of integrating generative AI tools (like ChatGPT) into the classroom, offering insights for educators, administrators, and policymakers alike.
Season THREE
Episode 5: Indigenous Youth Entering the Labour Market
350,000 Indigenous youth are set to come of age by 2026, offering unique contributions as they enter the workforce. Discover the multifaceted impacts of Indigenous youth on the labour market as two distinguished experts delve into this topic. In this episode, they explore the challenges, opportunities, and incredible value that Indigenous youth bring to the modern job market and how companies can advance inclusive environments that honor and integrate Indigenous traditions, thereby empowering young Indigenous employees to bring their authentic selves to work. We also learn about some of the collaborative approaches between employers, educational institutions, and Indigenous communities to bridge the gap and foster increased opportunities for Indigenous youth.
Episode 4: Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is a range of different ways of thinking, interacting, and processing information, and is especially important to the future of work. In this episode, experts in neurodiversity in the workplace join us to discuss the immense potential of neurodiverse individuals in professional settings. Our guests share practical strategies and valuable insights for employers looking to create supportive environments for neurodiverse employees—from implementing accommodations for all to fostering inclusive company cultures.
Episode 3: Women Entrepreneurship
In 2020, women accounted for only 16.8% of majority owners of Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises (SMEs). In this episode, we consider the experience of women in entrepreneurship, the barriers that impede them from participating and the recent growth of women-created businesses. Our guests are leaders at a large employer and an organization that works to help women entrepreneurs and the networks that support them easily connect and collaborate. They share their personal and professional experiences, provide insights on opportunities and barriers, and discuss suggestions for potential future and current women entrepreneurs across Canada.
(Episode in French)
Episode 2: Newcomer Integration in Canada: New Brunswick Example
In 2022, Canada welcomed a record number of newcomers to the country: over 431,000 new permanent residents. In this episode, we consider the issue of the economic and employment integration of newcomers to Canada, focusing on the New Brunswick context. Our guests are leaders at a large, local employer and at an organization that works to enable newcomers to participate fully in the province’s society. They share their personal and professional experiences and provide insights and suggestions for communities, employers, and the skills ecosystem across Canada.
(Episode in French)
Episode 1: Understanding Labour Shortages in Canada
More people are working than before the pandemic, yet there is still more demand for labour than there is supply. In this episode, our guests share insights on the economic context surrounding these shortages and the implications for Canadian businesses. We discuss what all this means for skills leaders, employers, and workers.
(Episode in French)