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Future Skills

Our research will help Canadians — including current and future job-seekers, employers, policy makers, service providers, educators, and researchers — better understand future skills priorities, knowledge gaps, and leading practices, and will help build capacity to address these demands. 

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Research Resources

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Reference Database

A searchable repository on published research addressing “future skills” that will be a useful tool for researchers and individuals interested in the future of work and the future of skills.

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Annotated Bibliography

Intended as a useful tool to researchers in need of initial guidance in future skills, this is a list of 39 key academic and “grey literature” publications.

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Research Network

An expanding and diverse group of scholars, experts, practitioners and other stakeholders actively engaged in research on future skills and the future of work.

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Featured Research

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How to Forecast Skills in Demand: A Primer

This paper analyzes three approaches to forecasting in-demand skills that equips individuals and organizations to…
Infographic:Forecasting Skills Ppaper INFOGRAPHIC-LMIC-FSC - EN - IMAGE
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Infographic: How to forecast skills in demandexternal link icon

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Job Polarization in Canada

Job polarization is one of several trends — including automation, offshoring and the growing gig-economy…
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The Future is Social and Emotionalexternal link icon

Demand for skilled employees is not new, but the skills considered “in demand” have evolved. While developing skills is a life-long endeavour, the skills that Canadians learn through post-secondary training are key to workplace success. Demand for social and emotional skills is growing. Are we doing enough to prepare Canadians for the evolving workplace?

Indigenous Financial Management: Finally Finding Balance – A Primer

This paper outlines research on the career paths of Indigenous finance and management professionals, with an aim toward attracting more Indigenous people to careers in those fields.

Sustainable Northern Livelihoods: A Primer

Economic growth in Canada’s North has outpaced the rest of the country. This primer discusses the challenges still faced by Indigenous people in the North, who continue to experience socio-economic disparities

Digital Differences: The impact of automation on the Indigenous economy in Canada

How is technological change, and specifically automation, affecting Indigenous workers in Canada? Digital Differences looks at the impact of automation on the Indigenous economy by industry and region.

Skills Gaps, Underemployment, and Equity of Labour-Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in Canada

While people with disabilities can achieve socially integrated, financially independent lives through secure, well-paid employment, they are often trapped in low-skill jobs at high risk of automation.

Canadian Labour Demand Update: Analysis of Job Postings for the Fourth Quarter of 2020

This report provides an update of labour demand trends from October to December 2020 with data sourced from the Vicinity Jobs Hiring Demand Analytics Suite.

Bridging the Digital Skills Gap: Alternative Pathways

Digital skills and digital careers are part of every industry’s future. Yet employers say they can’t find workers with the information and communication technology (ICT) […]

Research projects on the future of skills and work in a digital economy

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the Future Skills Centre are launching a Knowledge Synthesis Grant competition on Skills and Work in the Digital Economy.
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