Sectors
Labour market trends such as technology, shifting demographics and climate change are leading to rapid change in key sectors of our economy. Workers and employers will require support from the skills ecosystem to successfully manage these transitions.
Research
Food Sustainability in the North: Skills Challenges and Opportunities in Community Greenhouse Projects
Given the advancements of innovative technologies pertaining to agricultural practice and its evolving skills needs, this report reviews the current and future competencies needed for community-led greenhouse projects in Northern Indigenous communities to inform the future of training programs and initiatives.
Project
Retail Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program
The Retail Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP) + iLaunchHERproduct, led by de Sedulous Women Leaders and funded by the Future Skills Centre, is a single program with two components that was designed to address the systemic barriers faced by Black, racialized and immigrant women entrepreneurs in retail.
Project
A pay-for-performance model for skills training
This project was designed to address two key issues related to training programs that address skills gaps in manufacturing—employer underinvestment and low participation. The Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC), in partnership with Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC), piloted an outcomes-based “pay-for-performance” model, which reimbursed employers if they successfully supported the delivery of EMC’s Manufacturing Essentials Certification soft skills training program and met key performance targets.
Project
Scale Learning Lab
The Scale Learning Lab was developed to address the hospitality sector’s ongoing talent shortages through an innovative, industry-led training model. By combining digital learning and hands-on training, the Learning Lab provides hospitality professionals with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving sector.
Blog
Impact Story: Labour and Government Working Together to Upskill Government IT Specialists
Canada’s public service does not have a centralized training and skills development strategy at a time when the economy is in great flux and many workers need retraining and upskilling to keep up with new technologies.
Project
Real Estate Development Incubator: A Model for Equitable Participation
FutureBUILDS represents a new and inclusive approach to addressing Canada’s housing crisis. This project consisted of three phases: research, implementation and alumni engagement.
Project
Success@Work Skills: Preparing Workers and Systems to Navigate Change
Developed in response to the challenges amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, this program combined competency-based microcredentials, culturally relevant curricula, and wraparound supports to empower participants with the skills and confidence to thrive in their chosen fields—while also helping meet evolving workforce needs.
Project
Enhancing a National Recruitment System for the Unionized Construction Industry
This project’s overall goal was to design and test virtual strategies to recruit more individuals, especially those from underrepresented groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, newcomers and youth), to careers in the construction trades.
Project
Analysis of Programs for Welcoming Talented Immigrants
This research project led by Concordia University investigated a range of onboarding strategies, focusing on the integration of immigrants with technical or trade skills into manufacturing SMEs.