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The Innovation Lab

Many innovators go through a frustrating process of trying to develop and implement new ideas. FSC’s innovation lab makes it easier to innovate

The Lab is home to bold, future-focused ideas and the people behind them. We work with partners on solutions at their early-stages, when uncertainty is great and support is hard to find.

That means helping organizations test and adopt breakthrough solutions for the future of work by fostering a low-takes environment that encourages teams to be bold, take risks and experiment.

We welcome new approaches that aim to make major contributions to skills development. 

Our guiding principles:

The Lab experiments with business strategies and scales them based on results.

The Lab favours an appetite for learning and experimentation over the ability to deliver immediate outcomes.

Our focus is to address future problems, not simply present ones.

The Lab promotes increased innovation, sharing and collective learning.

The advancement of ideas is based on evidence and data.

Innovation is driven by diversity and opportunities for all.

Group of individuals brainstorming at a desk with laptops and notepads on it.

Testing new ideas

Several of our partners are exploring innovative, future-looking solutions. Our focus is less on immediate outcomes and more on testing that generates learning and new ways forward. The Innovation Lab’s two key initiatives are the Accelerator program, which provides additional funding and support for projects in a low-stakes, nurturing environment so partners can test new or unconventional approaches and the Incubation Network, which convenes projects that share a common purpose to surface out-of-the ordinary solutions through peer-learning and shared goals.

The Accelerator program

Our Accelerator program aims to empower our projects to maximize their effectiveness and contribute to the advancement of the skills development ecosystem through innovation practices and continuous improvement. This program is designed to complement our current innovation partners’ existing scope and help teams expand or enhance their project design within a rapid time-frame.

Traditionally, grants prioritize immediate implementation and outputs, which can restrict an organization’s ability to test and iterate on their projects. In contrast, our Accelerator program prioritizes design and experimentation. Throughout the program, our partners are encouraged to explore new approaches, embrace uncertainty, take risks, and incorporate input and iteration into their program design within a low-stakes environment, all while helping to build the capacity and skills of the project team.

To achieve this vision, the Accelerator provides flexible and tailored support to address the specific needs of each project and team. Participants in the program benefit from the guidance of Innovation Advisors, who offer personalized support and hands-on assistance. They also receive training on utilizing innovation practices and tools, gain access to our national networks and relevant research from our partners to foster valuable connections and insights. Additionally, participants receive additional funding to cover staff time and associated costs.

Since its inception, the Accelerator program has supported two cohorts, with 23 partners having participated to date.

Incubation Network

To enhance our reach and support for new approaches in skills development, we are piloting the Incubation Network initiative focused on the theme of newcomer integration. 

The Incubation Network currently includes seven project partners from across Canada representing a diverse range of geographies, methodologies, and leaders. These projects all share a common purpose – to surface novel approaches that enhance newcomer integration into the Canadian economy and make the most of the talent in Canada.

We are convening these partners for a series of learning sessions to advance experimentation and build cross-sector peer-learning connections to exchange ideas and identify additional opportunities to enrich newcomer integration in the labour market.  

The exploration and development of these approaches will uncover helpful insights that can inform wider efforts in addressing this key issue. Beyond the current theme, there is the possibility to explore future thematic issues impacting Canada’s future of work.

Learn more about the Lab:

Seven innovative initiatives across Canada focus on surfacing novel solutions for newcomer integration
Helping a sustainable commuting organization turn ideas into reality
Second cohort of the Accelerator leads to greater confidence and expansion of skills
Why create an Innovation Lab and Accelerator program?
How we work with partners
Lessons from the Accelerator

Partners engaging with the Innovation Lab

Norther College lights campus from outside.
Project

CLIMB: Continuous Learning for Individuals’ Mid-career and Beyond

Mid-career workers are most vulnerable to disruption of the labour market but there is little widespread information, resources, or training to support a mid-career change.
Two young individuals high fiving while they work on a laptop.
Project

ELITE program for Black youth

Black youths gain access to hands-on learning and paid work-integrated training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and entrepreneurship.
Students in a computer lab with teacher pointing at screen.
Project

Free education for an inclusive economy

This research project examines free education in a town grappling with unemployment and recession.
Woman in wheelchair working from home looking at dual computer screens.
Project

Remote work strategies for small businesses

Owners and operators of SMEs will learn the innovation skills to develop a long-term remote work strategy.
A group of students sitting outside on university campus.
Project

Shock-proofing skills for the not-for-profit sector

Current and future not-for-profit managers will gain knowledge and skills to build resilience and growth in the sector as it addresses social needs.
Young woman with virtual reality headset.
Project

New Brunswick digital career exploration

Youth explore in-demand career paths and connect with industry experts through virtual tours and workplace simulations.
Person attends a video chat on a laptop
Project

Atlantic Autism Supports and Employment Network (AASEN)

Individuals on the autism spectrum connect to job opportunities and local employment supports in Atlantic Canada
Father working on laptop near mother laying down with daughter.
Project

Newfoundland newcomer employment resilience network

Immigrants with skills in professional fields benefit from knowledge exchange, mentoring and networking to improve their career pathways.
Two gentlemen sawing a piece of wood together.
Project

Construction with a purpose

Vulnerable individuals facing homelessness gain skills training and supports to help transition into in-demand construction careers.
Group of students around a table smiling.
Project

Language learning for young newcomers

BCIT students pursuing skilled jobs receive English language training and content to support them in their studies and job search efforts.
Group photo of construction graduates wearing hard hats.
Project

Workforce 2030: Rapid upskilling for green building

More than 500 workers affected by the pandemic will benefit from training in the green building sector to transition to in-demand jobs.
Young woman repairing airplane motor.
Project

Aiming higher: Micro-credential training in aviation and aerospace

Innovative training and upskilling in the aerospace and aviation sector benefits workers and the industry.
Young girl with headphones using a bandsaw in woodworking class.
Project

Empowering young moms in Northern Manitoba

Young mothers benefit from career exploration, development and skill building.
Group of young woman clapping during an event.
Project

Services to social impact

Young women will transition out of the services sector and into social entrepreneurship as this program equips them with social, emotional and entrepreneurship skills to launch social impact businesses and through one-on-one coaching.
Hotel staff folding sheets.
Project

Micro but mighty: micro-credentials for a recovering hospitality industry

Displaced hospitality and food service industry workers will gain micro-credentials to build skills and take certified training to enhance job prospects and support recovery.
Highschool students holding up sign with science symbols.
Project

STEM skills and an innovation mindset for youth

This project develops STEM skills and an innovation mindset among youth.
Group of students looking at a piece of paper and discussing.
Project

Craft

Craft, an online marketplace, enables artists and designers to sell their work and services while developing skills to thrive in a just economy.
Image of Fraser Valley Farmland.
Project

The future of food through agricultural technology

This ground-breaking research explores the potential of cellular agriculture – food created in a lab – to create a year-round supply of nutritious food and develop jobs in an exciting new field.
Grocery store cashier wearing a medical mask and face shield.
Project

On the frontlines of crisis training program

This project is designed for youth with skills gaps by providing training in the culinary and non-profit sectors to give them skills and resilience.
A personal support worker handing medication to an elderly man.
Project

Futureproofing the PSW workforce

Personal support workers (PSWs) will engage in timely and accessible education, partnered advocacy, and professional development in key areas that respond to their needs on the job.
Image of individuals smiling at the camera.
Project

TIMES 2.0

This research will provide data that enables the Yonge Street Mission to better understand and support the journey to gainful employment for those living in poverty.