Investing properly in the tools and training that workers need, while also embracing AI, could give the country a major productivity boost, experts say.

When Fredericton High School student Matthew Jeon wanted to start saving money for university, he started applying for summer jobs. But his search was unsuccessful for two summers in a row. Along the way, he noticed many applications were more geared toward college or university students.

International lessons show that localized skills training, community-led planning and tailored supports can help workers adapt without leaving the communities they call home.

Strategic place-based industrial planning that attracts new investment and aligns workforce development with regional economic diversification can help spur community renewal.

Noel Baldwin has been the Executive Director of the Future Skills Centre (FSC) since June, 2024. He brings nearly two decades of experience in leading strategic initiatives and policy development in postsecondary education, adult learning and skills development. Since joining FSC in 2019 as Director of Government and Public Affairs, Noel has provided leadership in navigating the complex skills ecosystem and working with diverse stakeholders to foster innovation in skills development that addresses the evolving needs of the workforce and promotes inclusive economic growth. FSC has successfully forged strong relationships with federal departments, provinces, territories, municipalities, and international organizations like the OECD. His efforts drove FSC’s early strategic initiatives, including targeted investments addressing critical gaps across regions and sectors.

There is no stopping the oncoming train of artificial intelligence, with all that that means for the workplace. At the very least, it will mean training workers with new AI skills but it also means continuously retraining them to keep up with changes in technology. It will be a mammoth task. In this episode of Work and the Future, economist and keynote speaker Linda Nazareth talks to Tricia Williams, Director of research, evaluation and knowledge mobilization at the Future Skills Centre about training and AI.

The Future Skills Centre (FSC) is inviting Canadian researchers and research organizations to apply for funding through a new open call for proposals that will tap into the potential of the OECD’s Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) dataset.

The Future Skills Centre invites researchers and organizations across Canada to contribute new evidence and insights that advance understanding of the country’s evolving skills and workforce needs.

FSC Executive Director, Noel Baldwin quoted on Radio Canada article Last summer, tens of thousands lined up and sent dozens of copies of their resumes to potential employers. Will the Canadian government be able to uphold the ideals of young, unemployed Canadians with its new budget?