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Understanding Future Skills: Case of the Montreal Aerospace Cluster

The report examines how organizations contribute to the development and management of talent at the regional level, with a specific focus on the case study of the Montreal aerospace cluster.

The report will examine how diverse actors in this cluster – including large-scale manufacturers, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the value chains associated with these enterprises, trade unions, training bodies, and government agencies – have developed practices that have led to a diversified talent pool. A key focus of the report is on the forms and methods of collaboration used by these actors to enable the cluster to collectively ensure that the skills required for production, research and development (R&D), and the optimization of value chains are present in the cluster’s workforce.

Two pilots sit in a cockpit on the runway preparing for flight.

Similarly, the ways in which these actors collectively anticipate future skills needs will also be examined. Stepping back from the specifics of the case study, the authors will also draw lessons and implications from this study of Montreal’s aerospace cluster for the wider Canadian context and skills strategies in other regions.

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women in engineering
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?
Renewable energy experts discussing solar panel project
Research

Greenification of SMEs

This report provides an investigation of existing competency frameworks for green skills in order to identify a framework suited to SMEs. We found current frameworks typically focus on new workforce training and large-enterprise models, and lack consideration of Canadian-specific regulations, smaller organization structures and accessible technical skills.
Young man in overalls eating sandwich and talking to his colleagues during lunch at warehouse
Research

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Backlash? What Canadian Workers Really Think

There has been limited data about how Canadian workers themselves feel about increased EDI workplace scrutiny and backlash. Our research reveals that despite some vocal opposition, the data shows that most Canadians view EDI measures in the workplace positively, with strong support among equity-deserving groups, younger workers and those with positive job experiences.
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