Reports

This project identified gaps in how employers, employees and job seekers within regions of Grand Erie (i.e. the City of Brantford, Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit, and Brant Haldimand and Norfolk counties) support and experience the quality of work. Income and benefits, career prospects, work intensity, working-time quality, skill development and social environment were examined. Surveys and interviews identified challenges in compensation and benefits, communication challenges between employers and employees, and gaps in ways in which government supports the quality of work.

Browse and download research publications on skills innovation, workforce development and labour market issues. Search the database

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) conducted research to understand the impact of CERB on recipients and how it shaped their decision to focus on skills, education and training and to pursue new work opportunities. There were focus groups and an online survey with 1,500 respondents across Canada.

In this research, we analyze the findings of 30 interviews of Canadian working professionals with disabilities who have expertise in accessible employment. What key barriers limit career advancement for people with disabilities (PwD)? What can employers do to reduce barriers and improve career opportunities for PwD? What can governments do? Read the issue briefing to get our full analysis.

Three years after the declaration of a global pandemic, there is a growing body of research on how the pandemic has affected work and workers in Canada. Yet, lacking is a finely grained analysis, based on representative data, of how working arrangements, job quality, well-being, worker’s future expectations and aspirations are changing in Canada as a result of the pandemic shock. The Shaping the Future of Work in Canada project was designed to fill this gap. It contributes rich data that can inform public debates about evolving work arrangements, workers’ aspirations, and how employers can design healthy, high-quality, and productive jobs as Canada moves into postpandemic recovery in 2023 and beyond.

The role of digital technologies in the world of work is only anticipated to intensify in the coming years. And while technology offers considerable promise, there are a number of risks associated with the onset of alternative forms of work, including remote work, gig work, and the sharing economy. In particular, concerns exist about the net benefits of these developments and whether the quality of work is deteriorating, notably among equity seeking groups who tend to be over-represented in alternative forms of work. This research investigates the intersection of employment and technology to better understand how advances in technology are impacting the quality of work. The literature review and key informant interviews identifies that growing digital technology usage – accelerated by the pandemic –  is altering the quality of work for workers in Canada in numerous ways. This offers both opportunities and challenges for worker well-being.

While its possible to teach social and emotional skills in a college classroom, it isn’t always easy. This research explores the experiences of instructors and students at Canadian colleges in teaching and learning these skills.

The study uses grounded theory methods to develop and verify a conceptual framework for how Alberta employers and ‘earners’ value micro-credentials—particularly in relation to traditional credentials—when considering their hiring, promotion or education and training choices.