Building Inclusive Workplaces
A one-size-fits-all approach to pandemic recovery will not work. Programs tailored to the specific needs of specific groups will be important for a strong recovery, as will equitable access to critical supports, such as the infrastructure needed to overcome the digital divide. Businesses, governments and employees must all commit to reskilling — particularly when it comes to those from diverse groups who face barriers and bias — to develop an effective and inclusive skills and employment ecosystem that leaves no one behind.
Key Takeaways
Executive Summary
COVID-19 has disrupted many industries. Jobs in some sectors have been lost forever, while other sectors have gone through significant changes with new jobs now emerging. What has emerged from the pandemic thus far is a “K-shaped” recovery where some businesses and industries are recovering quickly — or have already fully recovered – while others are still struggling. In some areas, such as for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – and particularly for firms in the hospitality, retail and entertainment industries – the impact has been deep and threatens to be lasting. This report explores many of the factors underlying these divergent realities, including sectoral and industry differences, and pays special attention to those factors that have resulted in members of diverse groups being disproportionally impacted. More specifically, this report aims to explore how COVID-19 has exacerbated barriers to skills development, upskilling, reskilling and skills utilization faced by women, Indigenous peoples, racialized people, young people and persons with disabilities.
While the dominant discourse on the skills gap focuses mainly on the shortcomings of workers, the evidence shows that, in many cases, workers with the needed skills are out there, but that systemic discrimination, exclusionary policies and practices, make it hard to see them, leaving employers looking for skills in all the wrong places. We need to examine the levers — policies, programs and incentives — available to encourage employers to set targets and develop and implement effective strategies, policies and practices to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We also need to narrow our focus on these areas, especially considering that the economic impacts caused by COVID-19 may be with us for some time. This report highlights the skills needed and barriers that exist to accessing skills training within the context of the pandemic. It closes by exploring what can be done post-COVID-19 to overcome these barriers.
Related Research
Women in Trades: Progress, Barriers and Opportunities
Workforce Training in Canadian SMEs: Barriers and Promising Models
