Innovation Projects Map

Like many economies across the world, Canadians (and Canadian employers in particular) recognize that Canada needs more skilled tradespeople. Not enough Canadians, however, appear to be interested in pursuing these careers. Rates of enrollment in apprenticeships are falling short of where labour demand is. Past efforts to increase numbers of skilled tradespeople through immigration have fallen short of their targets, with low admittance through federal programs and a lack of information available for new Canadians on how to get qualified.

This project explored the uptake of microcredentials within digitally intensive industries in Canada, a field projected to grow and change in coming years. The project used a novel form of labour market information — LinkedIn profiles — to discern differences in skill, occupational seniority, and microcredential certification in the tech labour market in Canada.

This project was designed to address two key issues: employer underinvestment in training and low participation in training programs that address skill gaps in manufacturing. The Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC), in partnership with Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) piloted an outcomes-based “pay for performance” (PFP) model which reimbursed employers if they successfully supported delivery of EMC’s Manufacturing Essentials Certification (MEC).

Future City Builders was a four-month program that supported youth to work collaboratively to develop real-world solutions for healthier and more equitable cities. By engaging in collaborative projects, participants were expected to gain knowledge and skills that made them more employable, better able to create their own employment opportunities, and use their newly developed skills throughout their career and life to contribute to sustainable cities.

This research examined the experiences and attitudes towards remote work in Canada for employees and supervisors and sought to understand how the arrangement has affected productivity, satisfaction, trust and well-being.

Regardless of labour market conditions, some young people have a hard time transitioning into the labour market and are not working or training for extended periods of time. During an economic shock like a recession, challenges are heightened.

This project sought a better understanding of how PLAR is used, or can be used, to effectively accelerate learners through programs in the applied health sciences.

In response to this challenge, the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) tested the virtualization of training by building a platform that provided learners, instructors and researchers with remote access to a physical training environment.

This research examined the experiences and attitudes towards remote work in Canada for employees and supervisors and sought to understand how the arrangement has affected productivity, satisfaction, trust and well-being.

This research sheds light on the reasons why people engage in gig work and the policy levers needed to mitigate the risks associated with this new form of employment.

The future labour market will be a tumultuous one, as it will be shaped in part by a transition to a “net-zero carbon” economy, an increasing pace of workplace technological change, globalization and other forces. Canadian workers will face rapid shifts in labour and skills demand between sectors, and pressure to upgrade their knowledge and skills.

Canada has lagged behind other OECD countries in providing digital skills development and career services delivery online. However, the pandemic forced many career development providers to stop in-person delivery, creating incentive for the sector to innovate and move, at least temporarily, to delivering services online.

Canada’s domestic manufacturing sector is missing out on opportunities to compete with the rest of the world because innovative employers are unable to find workers with the skills they need, and workers are unsure about what they need to stay relevant.

In this research project, the Brookfield Institute conducted interviews and surveys with 14 industry leaders from 11 firms spanning three broad sub-sectors across the country. The objective was to improve understanding of what is contributing to the low uptick of technological innovation in the construction sector.

Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre’s Skills for a Clean Economy project generated knowledge about employment opportunities in cleantech for workers at risk of disruption by the clean economy transition and the COVID pandemic.

This project supports training and skills development needs among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Canada and fosters more inclusive workplaces.

This project will deliver training in entrepreneurship, networking and mentorship that strengthens and supports the Black business community.

This project will examine the health human resources and health care needs to improve the management and treatment of foot care for persons with diabetes, as well as to enhance the efficiency of the health care system.

This project aims to help Canada’s bio-economy become more agile and resilient. It will engage BioTalent Canada’s network to research and evaluate innovative practices and technologies used by agile, resilient, and diverse Canadian bio-economy employers to excel in highly disruptive economic situations.

This research project aims to develop national standards for jobs related to sustainable use of ocean resources, also known as the “blue economy”.

This project will address persistent and growing labour and skills shortages affecting Canada’s agriculture and food processing industries.

This project will create evidence-based programming needed to develop the mindset and resilience of Canada’s high-performing entrepreneurs and elevate the craft of mentorship.

Owners and operators of SMEs will learn the innovation skills to develop a long-term remote work strategy.

Innovative training and upskilling in the aerospace and aviation sector benefits workers and the industry.

The Indigenous economy will benefit from increased research collaboration, improved knowledge mobilization, new networks and partnerships that advance economic growth, jobs and well-being.

This project will create and share resources for employers in disability management on a national basis to improve processes and policies to engage, accommodate, and keep employees with disabilities.

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.

Adults with low literacy and skill levels benefit from online learning for employability and essential skills.

Hospitality and food service industry workers will be empowered with education and support to deal with mental health and substance use challenges and crises.

Online training is customized and adapted to support workers in the Canadian food and beverage processing industry.

National research will identify regions and workforce segments disproportionately affected by the pandemic and scope project demand for roles and retraining required to advance the clean economy.

Development of the Employability Skills Assessment Tool (ESAT), a cloud-based tool to measure an individual’s social & emotional/employability skills.

The first, fully-online, multilingual education opportunity specifically designed for historically isolated, unregulated care workers.

Shifting the mindset and educating healthcare professionals in the effective, appropriate, safe, and compassionate use of AI.

Project to create a virtual recruitment and assessment centre in four regions across Canada to recruit underrepresented populations into the unionized construction industry.

First Canadian test of online VALID-8 tool allowing trades apprentices to be objectively assessed by a certified journeyperson and also demonstrate what they are capable of to prospective employers.

Rapid-response project to design and test industry-specific, skills-focused recovery options for the hard-hit tourism and hospitality sector.

Transitioning into strong growth rate jobs