RCS set out to test new models for career and employment services that respond to the needs of workers, employers, and practitioners in a rapidly changing labour market. Rather than a single intervention, RCS operates as a portfolio of innovation projects co-designed with service partners and piloted in real-world settings.

Our research draws on first-hand experiences to better understand specific labour-related challenges facing SMEs.

Canada’s rapidly changing labour market is challenging both workers and employers to adapt. Automation, demographic shifts and evolving skill demands mean that many mid-career Canadians will need to retrain or transition into new roles, while small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) struggle to recruit and retain skilled staff.

Calgary’s economy is poised for significant growth in key sectors like energy transition, technology and health care. However, a critical misalignment threatens this progress: a major disconnect exists between the in-demand occupations, as identified by employers, and the local talent pool’s skills and perceptions.

This report examines the role of wraparound supports in digital skills training programs, specifically for women, newcomers and refugees, and Black youth.

This report examines global and Canadian infrastructure trends, highlights innovative practices (e.g., digitalization, green construction, modular methods, regulatory reforms) and analyzes the implications for the workforce and skills required in the coming years.

This report references both Canadian and international examples of best practices to show how IEHPs can be supported in Canada’s health-care workforce.

The proportion of Canadian workers who are worried about losing their job in the coming years because the work they do will soon be done by computers or robots has increased, and this cannot be accounted for simply by pointing to growing pessimism about the economy in general. Rather, there is a more direct relationship between concerns about the impact of automation on employment, and the use of AI programs at work.

This project was initiated to develop a Canadian PIAAC research agenda that can guide policymakers, researchers and practitioners in using these new data to close knowledge gaps, enhance policy decisions and improve national performance in skills development.