The Future Skills Podcast
Canada is facing wide-reaching demographic and technological changes that pose increasingly significant challenges to the world of work. The Future Skills Centre Podcast, presented by Signal49 Research, will explore these crucial emerging challenges to the future of work. In each episode, we will unpack a unique issue facing Canadians and hear from varying perspectives—such as community members, decision-makers, and thought leaders—to discuss solutions and paths forward.
Formerly operating as The Conference Board of Canada
Effective January 26, 2026, AERIC Inc./Signal49 Research discontinued use of ‘The Conference Board of Canada’ name, logo and branding, which had been used by AERIC Inc./Signal49 Research under license from The Conference Board, Inc. The Conference Board, Inc. and its licensees, which are not affiliated with Signal49 Research, own all right, title and interest in THE CONFERENCE BOARD name and trademarks in Canada and have the exclusive right to their use in Canada since January 26, 2026.
Episodes
31 episodes
Special - Name Change
This is Jeremy Strachan, your host of the Future Skills Podcast, brought to you by the Future Skills Centre. You may have noticed that The Conference Board of Canada's changed it's name. We’re now Signal49 Research. This new name reflects a...
•
0:54
S5 Ep. 05 - Learning from One Another: Skills, Training, and Workforce Development in Northern Communities
In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, host Jeremy Strachan explores the complex and evolving landscape of skills development and workforce training in Northern and Indigenous communities. Amanda Thompson from The Conference Board of Can...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 5
•
26:13
S5 Ep. 04 - Pathways to Self-Employment for Neurodivergent Canadians
In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, host Jeremy Strachan explores how self-employment and entrepreneurship can serve as powerful pathways for neurodivergent Canadians to thrive in the workforce. Jennifer Fane from The Conference Board...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 4
•
30:01
S5 Ep. 03: AI in the Workplace and the Skills that Matter Most
In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, host Jeremy Strachan explores the transformative world of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the Canadian workforce. With insights from experts Noel Baldwin, Stephanie Enders, and Mark Patter...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 3
•
28:22
S5 Ep. 02: Leveraging the Skills of Newcomers
In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, host Jeremy Strachan dives into the critical topic of leveraging the skills of newcomers to Canada and its impact on economic and social success. Joined by Tricia Williams from the Future S...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 2
•
29:07
S5 Ep. 01 - What Quality of Work Means in a Changing Labour Market
What defines quality of work in today’s economy? In this episode, host Jeremy Strachan speaks with Laura McDonough from the Future Skills Centre and Dr. Olga Morawczynski from Heal-3 to explore how wages, job security, mental health, and workpl...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 1
•
25:26
S4 Ep. 07: Labour Market Data & Disruption—Insights from FSC @ Cannexus25
In this special live mini episode of the Future Skills Podcast, recorded at Cannexus25 in Ottawa, host Jeremy Strachan explores how labour market information (LMI) is shaping career development, workforce planning, and skills training in a time...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 7
•
13:06
S4 Ep. 06: Neurodivergent student experiences in post-secondary education
In this mini episode of the Future Skills Podcast, Jeremy Strachan speaks with Dr. Jennifer Fane, Lead Research Associate at the Conference Board of Canada, about her recent study on neurodiversity in Canadian post-secondary education....
•
Season 4
•
Episode 6
•
11:58
S4 Ep. 05: Insights from Magnet Network Live
In this bonus episode of the Future Skills Podcast, new host Jeremy Strachan dives into highlights from the Magnet Network Live event held in Toronto in October 2024, where leaders gathered to address Canada’s talent, training, and ski...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 5
•
27:48
S4 Ep. 04: Empowering Futures: Supporting Black Talent in the Canadian Labour Market
The Black population in Canada is expected to exceed 3 million by 2041. Despite growing awareness of the root causes of inequities faced by Black communities, we don’t yet have interventions at scale in the skills ecosystem. In this episode, ou...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 4
•
43:06
S4 Ep. 03: Canada’s Productivity Puzzle: The Skills Connection
We’ve heard the term “productivity” come up a lot lately. But what does the term really mean? And why does strong productivity matter for leaders, decision makers, and to Canadians at-large? Three experts join us in this episode to help us un...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 3
•
33:08
S4 Ep. 02: Educating for Sustainability—Green Skills in Canada
The urgency of the climate crisis is undeniable. The transition to a clean economy demands significant changes in skills, occupations, and attitudes. In this episode, we delve into the challenges, opportunities, and strategies associated with d...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 2
•
31:46
S4 Ep. 01: Educational AI—Unlocking Potential in Post-Secondary Institutions
In this episode, we delve into the implications of the AI revolution for teaching and learning within Canada’s post-secondary institutions. Join us as we speak with a researcher, an AI sector leader, and a university Chief AI Officer to uncover...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 1
•
37:02
S3 Ep. 05: Indigenous Youth Entering the Labour Market
350,000 Indigenous youth are set to come of age by 2026, offering unique contributions as they enter the workforce. Discover the multifaceted impacts of Indigenous youth on the labour market as two distinguished experts delve into this topic. I...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 5
•
28:48
S3 Ep. 04: Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is a range of different ways of thinking, interacting, and processing information, and is especially important to the future of work. In this episode, experts in neurodiversity in the workplace join us to discuss the immense pote...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 4
•
26:33
S3 Ep. 03: Les femmes en entrepreneuriat
En 2020, les femmes représentaient seulement 16,8 % des propriétaires majoritaires de petites et moyennes entreprises (PME). Dans cet épisode, nous examinons l’expérience des femmes en entrepreneuriat, les obstacles à leur participation et la r...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 3
•
44:31
S3 Ep. 02: L’intégration des nouveaux arrivants au Canada : l’exemple du Nouveau-Brunswick
En 2022, le Canada a accueilli un nombre record de nouveaux arrivants : plus de 431 000, qui sont devenus des résidents permanents. Dans cet épisode, nous explorerons la question de l’intégration économique et professionnelle de ces personnes a...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 2
•
26:25
S3 Ep. 01: Comprendre les pénuries de main-d’œuvre au Canada
Il y a plus de gens qui travaillent qu’avant la pandémie, mais la demande de main-d’œuvre demeure supérieure à l’offre. Dans cet épisode, nos invités font part de leurs points de vue sur le contexte économique entourant ces pénuries et leurs co...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 1
•
25:25
S2 Ep. 06: Skills for the Digital Economy
Technological change is affecting every sector, and these changes shift the roles and the skills in demand. Our guests share their perspectives on what needs to happen to ensure Canada has the skilled talent it needs to take full advantage of t...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 6
•
28:53
S2 Ep. 05: Skills for the Clean Economy
In the face of the climate crisis, shifting to more carbon-neutral economic activities is a necessity. The growth of this clean economy can also be an opportunity – for individuals to have in-demand and meaningful careers, and for Canada to bec...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 5
•
26:07
S2 Ep. 04: Putting Microcredentials into Practice
Microcredentials are a recognition of learning, assessing specific competencies and addressing employer needs. In this episode, we discuss the rise of microcredentials, their potential, and ongoing challenges such as coordination across Canada ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 4
•
25:27
S2 Ep. 03: Supporting the Future of Small Business and Entrepreneurs through Skills Development
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are an important part of the Canadian economy and the workplace of many Canadians. But these businesses face steep difficulties in the coming years as COVID-19 government supports end. How can SMEs tack...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 3
•
29:55
S2 Ep. 02: Adapting to Change—The Case of Canada’s Hospitality & Tourism Industry
Restaurants, hotels, and attractions across Canada are an important place of work, particularly for youth, students, and newcomers to Canada. But with cycles of closures and layoffs, health and safety concerns, and new enforcement requirements ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 2
•
19:51
S2 Ep. 01: Youth Employment and Skills Training for an Inclusive Recovery
We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. We know that COVID-19 has had disproportionate economic impacts on certain groups, including women, youth, Indigenous peoples, and newcomers to Canada. We are experiencing...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 1
•
21:41
Ep. 06: Gig Economy and Independent Workers
The nature of jobs is changing, with the growth of the gig economy and more work in all fields being tasked to contract workers, freelancers, and the self-employed. These independent workers lack the social support net that full-time employees ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 7
•
38:52