Building connections: Platforms for the future of education and skills in Canada

The Conference Board of Canada has spent the past five years examining the advanced skills and education challenges facing Canada today through a multi-stakeholder research initiative called the Centre for Skills and Post-Secondary Education. In collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders, we studied important themes and issues in education, skills development, and future skills needs, with special emphasis on postsecondary education and advanced skills. This initiative looked at education and skills through a national lens, while recognizing that education and skills development are typically the mandates of provincial and territorial governments. Where possible, we convened stakeholders across government, industry, and education sectors to take a truly pan-Canadian view of the issues. Through our research and convening, we identified six cross-sectoral, multi-stakeholder platforms and some over-arching aspirations for each. This document distills the challenges and disruptors, best practices, and recommendations from our 40+ research reports, briefings, and events. It also identifies a number of intersecting goals.