Part of The Future of Work Series presented by Mitacs Canada Future Skills Centre
Spotlight on Canada's Labour Force and the Recovery Spotlight on Canada's Labour Force and the Recovery

Spotlight on Canada’s Labour Force and the Recovery

WorkCOVID-19Strategy
Published on
Karen Myers of BlueprintLMIC Steven TobinGladys Okine-Ahovi Council for Youth ProsperityRachel Mishenene Right to Play
Karen Myers / Founder & President - Blueprint
Steven Tobin / Executive Director - Labour Market Information Council (LMIC)
Gladys Okine Ahovi / Executive Lead - Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity
Rachel Mishenene / Executive Director, Canada Programs - Right to Play

The pandemic has disproportionately impacted Canada’s underrepresented groups, including those women, youth, Indigenous people and recent immigrants, and our economy depends on their full inclusion in the workforce. The policies and programs that may have served Canada well in past economic crises must be revisited if we are to ensure a strong post-pandemic recovery that empowers all Canadians. 

We spoke with Canadian leaders on labour market data, education, diversity and inclusion and the support that is needed to create a resilient economic recovery that will lead to a just and equitable Canadian economy. 

Takeaways

  1. Canada should not rely on outdated credential models in education and must focus on the skills that are needed for successful employment.
  2. Behind any strong skills strategy for the recovery is the need for quality, relevant and accessible labour market information.
  3. Canada’s workforce and education system must go beyond students and the unemployed to support working adults through the lifelong learning process.
  4. Canada’s labour market is becoming increasingly polarized by the adoption of new technologies, and we must mitigate the risks of automation through good job design.

Watch or Read the Experts' Full Interviews
Karen Myers of Blueprint Empowering Canadians through Skills Strategies Karen Myers Founder & President - Blueprint “The Canadian skills strategy should foster and support lifelong learning.” LMIC Steven Tobin Preparing Canada’s Workforce for the Post-Pandemic Future Steven Tobin Executive Director - Labour Market Information Council (LMIC) “The future of work is much closer to the present than we would have anticipated.” Gladys Okine-Ahovi Council for Youth Prosperity Preparing Canada's Youth for the Future Gladys Okine Ahovi Executive Lead - Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity “The pandemic has brought forward gaps in our current ecosystem where individuals do not have access to support.” Rachel Mishenene Right to Play Skills Development for Indigenous Teachers and Learners Rachel Mishenene Executive Director, Canada Programs - Right to Play “We need to identify and create a multi-stream of opportunities that will meet the diverse levels of learners.”
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