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Research

Skilled Trades and Entrepreneurship: The Need for Business Competencies

This report set out to explore two questions: 1) To what extent should entrepreneurship be recognized as a critical dimension of the skilled trades, and 2) which competencies are most essential for entrepreneurs in the skilled trades to succeed?
Computer screen showing equipment eLearning module
Project

Leveraging Technology to Develop Modern Mining Skills

The Leveraging Technology to Develop Modern Mining Skills project, led by NORCAT with support from the Future Skills Centre, explored the potential for augmented reality and virtual reality to address labour and safety challenges in mining and construction. By incorporating simulations into core training programs, the project aimed to provide safer, more accessible practice environments for new workers while testing whether immersive tools could improve learning outcomes.
Hotel workers wearing masks during pandemic while event planning
Project

Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery

The Tourism & Hospitality Emergency Recovery (THER) initiative, funded by the Future Skills Centre and led by the Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC), aimed to support Canada’s tourism and hospitality sector during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Women working with Technology
Project

Digital Transformation of Work: Racialized Immigrant Women and Skills Retraining

The digital transformation coming to Canadian workplaces accelerated significantly after the country-wide COVID-19 lockdowns, which increased demand for remote work. The digital transformation has and will hit some workers harder than others.
Women in office with laptop
Project

North Forge Global Entrepreneurship Initiative

The North Forge Global Entrepreneurship Initiative aimed to address several key questions to enhance support for newcomers, particularly those involved in the Start-up Visa Program and highly qualified newcomers facing licensing barriers.
Two women having a conversation while working on laptops
Project

Female Workers Facing the Challenge of Digital Transformation: A Case Study in the Insurance Sector

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation, leading to numerous changes in social interactions at work. To address this, the project focuses on how female workers in customer service roles who typically hold secondary or college-level education and work remotely for insurance companies in the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Québec are adapting to these changes.
Group of young woman clapping during an event.
Project

Services to Social Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic and its series of lockdowns disproportionately impacted the service industry and many young women who work in this sector. This project provided online workshops and coaching to help young women in the service industry develop transferable social-emotional skills in leadership and confidence, communications, business literacy, job interviewing and networking to support their capacity to undertake career changes. 
Group of people sitting in row in front of speaker and clapping hands
Research

DiversityLeads: Barriers and Enablers to Advancement for Equity-Deserving Groups

This report identifies significant barriers that hinder career advancement and enablers that allow leaders from equity-deserving groups to succeed. It is important to track progress because what gets measured gets done, especially at a time when Canada’s workers are aging and immigration levels are lowering, leaving a widening skills and talent gap for employers.
Woman in protective clothing using touchpad in factory
Research

More Than Just Numbers Revisited: Women in Engineering

This report reviews progress for women in engineering and the gaps that remain, and draws upon research and best practices to advance an evidence-based action plan.