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 developing higher education graduates who are equipped to lead and grow a sustainable economy. Our distinguished guests provide key employer, post-secondary, and international perspectives. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of higher education, employment, and a sustainable future.
Speaker list
- Kevin Nilsen, President & CEO, ECO Canada
- Charles Hopkins, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education Towards Sustainability, York University
- Tanzeela Faisal, Research Associate, The Conference Board of Canada
- Heather McIntosh, Director, Education and Skills, The Conference Board of Canada (host)
Links
Toward a More Sustainable Future: Preparing the Students of Today for a Greener Tomorrow (CBoC)
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 how this technology is reshaping education. From real-world applications to ethical considerations, we explore the opportunities and challenges of integrating generative AI tools (like ChatGPT) into the classroom, offering insights for educators, administrators, and policymakers alike.
Speaker list
- Melissa Judd, Vice-President, Research Operations and Academic Partnerships, Vector Institute
- Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer, Western University
- Adam Vanzella Yang, Senior Research Associate, The Conference Board of Canada
- Heather McIntosh, Director, Education and Skills, The Conference Board of Canada (host)
Links
- AI and the Future of Post-Secondary Education: Navigating the AI Revolution https://www.conferenceboard.ca/product/navigating-the-ai-revolution/
- Future Skills Centre Homepage: https://fsc-ccf.ca/
- Future Skills Centre Twitter: https://twitter.com/fsc_ccf_en
- The Conference Board of Canada Homepage: https://www.conferenceboard.ca/
- The Conference Board of Canada Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConfBoardofCda
- The Conference Board of Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceBoardofCanada/
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. In this episode, they explore the challenges, opportunities, and incredible value that Indigenous youth bring to the modern job market and how companies can advance inclusive environments that honor and integrate Indigenous traditions, thereby empowering young Indigenous employees to bring their authentic selves to work. We also learn about some of the collaborative approaches between employers, educational institutions, and Indigenous communities to bridge the gap and foster increased opportunities for Indigenous youth.
Guests:
- Michael DeGagné, President & CEO, Indspire
- Kory Wilson, Executive Director Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships, BCIT
Host:
- Julie Cafley, Executive Director, Catalyst Canada
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 potential of neurodiverse individuals in professional settings. Our guests share practical strategies and valuable insights for employers looking to create supportive environments for neurodiverse employees - from implementing accommodations for all to fostering inclusive company cultures.
Guests:
- Neil Barnett, Director - Inclusive Hiring and Accessibility, Microsoft
- Radha MacCulloch, VP and Head of Canada, Specialisterne North America
Host:
- Julie Cafley, Executive Director, Catalyst Canada
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 récente hausse du nombre d’entreprises fondées par des femmes. Nos invitées occupent des fonctions dirigeantes, l’une chez un gros pourvoyeur d’emplois et l’autre au sein d’une organisation qui aide les femmes entrepreneures et les réseaux qui les soutiennent à entrer en contact et à collaborer facilement. Elles nous racontent leur expérience personnelle et professionnelle, parlent des possibilités et des obstacles, et discutent des occasions de formation pour les femmes entrepreneures d’aujourd’hui et de demain, partout au Canada.
Invités
- Salwa Salek, cheffe Équité, diversité et inclusion, Desjardins
- Sabine Soumare, directrice générale, Portail de connaissances pour les femmes en entrepreneuriat (PCFE)
Hôte
Julie Cafley, directrice générale, Catalyst Canada
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 au Canada, principalement dans le contexte du Nouveau-Brunswick.
Nos invités sont des personnalités connues qui travaillent, l’un pour un gros employeur de la région, l’autre pour une organisation dont la mission est d’aider les nouveaux arrivants à participer pleinement à la société néo-brunswickoise. Ils parleront de leurs expériences personnelles et professionnelles, en plus d’offrir leurs éclairages et de faire des suggestions aux collectivités, aux employeurs et à l’écosystème des compétences du Canada tout entier.
Invités
- Jason Limongelli, vice-président de la Division Woodlands de J.D. Irving, Inc.
- Moncef Lakouas, président du Conseil culturel du Nouveau-Brunswick
Hôte
- Julie Cafley, directrice générale, Catalyst 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 conséquences pour les entreprises canadiennes. Nous discutons de ce que cela signifie pour les responsables en matière de compétences, les employeurs et les travailleurs.
Invités :
- Pedro Antunes, économiste en chef, Le Conference Board du Canada
- Geneviève Bich, vice-présidente, Ressources humaines, Metro inc.
Liens :
Page d’accueil du Centre des Compétences futures : https://fsc-ccf.ca/
Page Twitter du Centre des Compétences futures : https://twitter.com/fsc_ccf_fr
Page d’accueil du Conference Board du Canada :
https://www.conferenceboard.ca/
Page Twitter du Conference Board du Canada :
https://twitter.com/ConfBoardofCda
Page Facebook du Conference Board du Canada :
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 the growing digital economy. We hear about two rapid training initiatives that seek to help their learners transition mid-career to jobs in the digital economy.
Speakers
Guests
Namir Anani, President & CEO, Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC)
Rushmi Hasham, Director, Development and Accelerated Cybersecurity Training Programs, Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
Nathalie Sanon, Head, Training Program, IVADO
Host
Linda Nazareth
Links
Future Skills Centre Homepage: https://fsc-ccf.ca/
Future Skills Centre Twitter: https://twitter.com/fsc_ccf_en
The Conference Board of Canada Homepage :https://www.conferenceboard.ca/
The Conference Board of Canada Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConfBoardofCda
The Conference Board of Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceBoardofCanada/
ICTC-CTIC: https://www.ictc-ctic.ca/
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst: https://www.cybersecurecatalyst.ca/
IVADO https://ivado.ca/
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 become a global leader in this area. In this episode, we hear from three Canadian organizations. Our guests tell us about the growing clean technology and blue economy sectors, and about the skills needed in these sectors, and share their insights on what needs to happen to support the development of a strong workforce in the clean economy.
Guests
Darren Gresch, Senior Research Associate, Innovation and Technology, Conference Board of Canada
Jeanette Jackson, CEO, Foresight Canada
Yogendra Chaudhry, Vice-President of Professional Services, ECO Canada
Host
Linda Nazareth
Episode Links:
Future Skills Centre Homepage: https://fsc-ccf.ca/
Future Skills Centre Twitter: https://twitter.com/fsc_ccf_en
The Conference Board of Canada Homepage :https://www.conferenceboard.ca/
The Conference Board of Canada Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConfBoardofCda
The Conference Board of Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceBoardofCanada/
ECO Canada https://eco.ca/
Foresight Canada https://foresightcac.com/
OpportuNext https://www.opportunext.ca/
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 and assessment quality. Our guests provide perspectives from industry and from post-secondary education and include Emma Gooch from eCampusOntario, Kerri Korabelnikov from Red River College Polytechnic, and Theresa Davis-Woodhouse from the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace.
Speakers
Guests
Emma Gooch, Program Manager, Microcredentials, eCampusOntario
Kerri Korabelnikov, Dean, School of Education, Arts and Sciences, Red River College Polytechnic
Theresa Davis-Woodhouse, Director of Project Management, Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace
Host
Linda Nazareth
Links
Future Skills Centre Homepage: https://fsc-ccf.ca/
Future Skills Centre Twitter: https://twitter.com/fsc_ccf_en
The Conference Board of Canada Homepage :https://www.conferenceboard.ca/
The Conference Board of Canada Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConfBoardofCda
The Conference Board of Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceBoardofCanada/
Research report: The Future is Micro: Digital learning and microcredentials for education, retraining, and lifelong learning https://fsc-ccf.ca/research/micro-credentials-for-retraining-and-lifelong-learning/
FSC Project: Materials handling 4.0: Building pathways to employment for disadvantaged groups https://fsc-ccf.ca/projects/material-handling-4-0-building-pathways-to-employment-for-disadvantaged-groups/
FSC Project: Aiming higher: Microcredential training in aviation and aerospace https://fsc-ccf.ca/projects/aviation-aerospace/
eCampusOntario: Microcredentials https://micro.ecampusontario.ca/
eCampusOntario https://www.ecampusontario.ca/
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 tackle challenges, such as skill and labour shortages, to flourish as businesses and employers?
In this episode we speak to three guests about the economic trends and opportunities facing SMEs in their region, from remote-first small businesses to new jobs in the green economy. They discuss the skills, roles, and supports needed to take advantage of these opportunities.
Speakers
Guests
Jason Rasevych, Partner, National Indigenous Client Services Lead, Deloitte Canada; President, Anishnawbe Business Professional Association
Dorinda So, Executive Director, pointA
Patrick Sullivan, President and CEO, Halifax Chamber of Commerce
Host
Linda Nazareth
Links
Future Skills Centre Homepage: https://fsc-ccf.ca/
Future Skills Centre Twitter: https://twitter.com/fsc_ccf_en
The Conference Board of Canada Homepage: https://www.conferenceboard.ca/
The Conference Board of Canada Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConfBoardofCda
The Conference Board of Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceBoardofCanada/
pointA https://pointa.ca/
Halifax Chamber of Commerce https://halifaxchamber.com/
Anishnawbe Business Professional Association https://www.anishnawbebusiness.com/
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 due to COVID-19, there has been an exodus of workers from the hospitality and tourism industry. How are businesses rethinking their hiring, training, and compensation practices to adapt and recover?
This episode explores issues of workforce development and business strategy in the hospitality and tourism industry, in conversation with Krista Bax from go2HR and Adam Morrison from OTEC. We also hear firsthand from a business about their experiences.
Guests
Matt Pearson, Director, Human Resources, Living Waters Resorts
Adam Morrison, President and CEO, Ontario Tourism & Education Council (OTEC)
Krista Bax, CEO, go2HR
Host
Linda Nazareth
Links
Future Skills Centre Homepage: https://fsc-ccf.ca/
Future Skills Centre Twitter: https://twitter.com/fsc_ccf_en
The Conference Board of Canada Homepage: https://www.conferenceboard.ca/
The Conference Board of Canada Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConfBoardofCda
The Conference Board of Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceBoardofCanada/
OTEC: https://otec.org/
Go2HR: https://www.go2hr.ca/
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 an undesirable “K-shaped recovery” where certain individuals and sectors recover more quickly than others.
This episode highlights key challenges facing certain groups—such as Indigenous students and youth more broadly—when it comes to education and employment during the pandemic. We make the case for a more inclusive skills training strategy, that give all workers the skills to navigate a changing economy (and provides businesses the workers with the skills to help them adapt to future technological changes and economic shocks).
Kory Wilson from BCIT, and Chris Duff and Erick Pelayo Aubert from the Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity join us to share their perspectives.
Links
Recovery for All: Finding Equities in Education and Employment: https://www.conferenceboard.ca/futureskillscentre/sounding-tours
Hire Next Tool: https://fsc-ccf.ca/projects/youth-jobs-ai/
Indigenous ICT Development Centre: https://fsc-ccf.ca/projects/indigenous-ict-development-centre/
Conference Board of Canada: https://www.conferenceboard.ca/
Future Skills Centre: https://fsc-ccf.ca/
Guests
Kory Wilson – Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships, BCIT
Chris Duff – Executive Lead, Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity (CCYP)
Erick Pelayo Aubert – Undergraduate student and Coordinator, CCYP
Host
Linda Nazareth
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 benefit from. What are some ways to bridge the “support gap” and ensure that people don’t fall between the cracks in these precarious job markets?
In our final episode of Season 1 of the Future Skills Centre podcast, we discuss this question and more with Armine Yalnizyan (Atkinson Fellow).
Learn more
- Old Gigs, New Gigs (Paper Authored by Carole Piovesan)
Transcripts
- English
- Ce balado a été enregistré en anglais, mais vous pouvez en télécharger la transcription en français
Canada ranks among the top countries in the world in terms of its rates of postsecondary education attainment as well as annual spending per postsecondary student. While a majority of education providers believe that our graduates are well-equipped for the workforce, a much lower proportion of students and employers share that belief.
This points to a disconnect between the education and work worlds, one that could be bridged by incorporating real-world or experiential work into students’ education. The Business + Higher Education Roundtable aims to do just that, by ensuring that 100% of Canadian postsecondary students participate in a form of work-integrated learning before graduation. In our fifth episode of Season 1 of the Future Skills Centre podcast, we speak to Valerie Walker (Business Higher + Education Roundtable) to address some of these issues.
Learn more
- Business Higher Education Roundtable
- Are Canada’s Business Schools Teaching Social and Emotional Skills? (Paper Authored by Matthew McKean)
Transcripts
Reskilling and upskilling are now imperative for both employees and organizations to keep pace with the digital and technological innovations that are changing the way we work. This is creating a new echelon of positions—those that require brand new skills and those that require an enhanced skillset.
Investing in reskilling and upskilling is critical at the organizational and individual level to ensure mutual preparedness and success in the new technology-driven world. But how can governments, organizations, and workers work together to ensure the right supports are being provided to those who need them most? In our fourth episode of Season 1 of the Future Skills Centre podcast, we speak to Glenda Quintini (OECD), Sashya D’Souza (Toronto Finance International), and Karn Singh (Cognizant) to answer some of these questions.
Learn more
- Automation, Skills Use and Training
(OECD Paper Co-Authored by Glenda Quintini) - Why Returning to Toronto to Work in Financial Services Should Be Your Next Move (Toronto Finance International Blog Authored by Sashya D’Souza)
Transcripts
Apprenticeships get a bad rap. All too often, we perpetuate negative images of the trades: dirty, low pay, and boring. These stereotypes couldn’t be further from the reality of work—young people who pursue an apprentice-able trade should expect intellectually stimulating work, increasingly diverse workplaces, and significant opportunity for financial reward.
The knowledge and skills of our construction, manufacturing, automotive, and food service tradespeople can help support Canada’s transition to a more prosperous and sustainable future, but they will need resilience and teamwork to adapt to workplaces that are more efficient, automated, and digitally connected.
What emerging skills will tradespeople require to adapt to future work trends? How are emerging technologies changing what and how apprentices learn? Will traditional physical labour become a thing of the past, replaced by a need for digital, green, and social and emotional skills? In our third episode of Season 1 of the Future Skills Centre podcast, we discuss these questions with Andrew Bieler (The Conference Board of Canada), Jeff Ranson (Canada Green Building Council – GTA), and Jim Szautner (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology).
Learn more
- Apprenticeships and “Future of Work” (Authored by Erica Smith)
- Interview with Jim Szautner
Transcripts
- English
- Ce balado a été enregistré en anglais, mais vous pouvez en télécharger la transcription en français
Driven by an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens, the Future Skills Centre recognizes the competitive advantage that comes from fostering innovative solutions which address the needs of underrepresented and disadvantaged groups, including women, youth, newcomers, racialized minorities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and people from Indigenous, rural, remote, and northern communities.
Through authentic engagement with grassroots organizations and diverse communities across Canada, as well as the use of a strength-based and asset-focused perspective, knowledge and solutions are needed that shift the focus from just “fixing” job seekers to eroding systemic barriers to change our institutions, helping us build a more inclusive and equitable labour market. In our second episode of Season One of the Future Skills Centre podcast, we speak to Maya Roy (YWCA), Ed Ng (Bucknell University), and Jordan Wapass (The Conference Board of Canada) to take on some of these issues.
Further reading:
- All on Board (Women on Boards Online Experience Co-Authored by Maria Giammarco
- Employment Gaps and Underemployment for Racialized Groups (Paper Co-Authored by Eddy Ng)
- Addressing the Causes of Indigenous Vulnerability to Pandemics—not Just the Symptoms (Blog Post Co-Authored by Jordan Wapass)
Transcripts:
We’ve all heard it before: Technology is disrupting the world of work, eliminating “low skill” jobs and harming the future of the trades. Daunting? Sure. But there’s also growing demand for a specific type of worker. One with the ability to problem solve, lead, collaborate, communicate, and adapt to the ever-evolving world of work. In other words, there is a growing demand for strong social and emotional skills. The problem is, there is a gap between the demand for these skills and the skills Canadians acquire through education and training.
So, what exactly are these social and emotional skills? Why are they needed and why are we behind? What are our post-secondary systems doing to prepare future employees, and how do we ensure Canadians can “keep up” with changing demands throughout their careers? In our first episode of Season 1 of the Future Skills Centre podcast, we start to answer these questions through conversations with Paul Brinkhurst (Futureworx) and Jennifer Adams (OECD).
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Transcripts
- English
- Ce balado a été enregistré en anglais, mais vous pouvez en télécharger la transcription en français
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FSC—The Future is Social and Emotional (Online Experience):
https://www.conferenceboard.ca/research/the-future-is-social-and-emotional
FSC—The Future is Social and Emotional (Impact Paper):
https://www.conferenceboard.ca/e-library/abstract.aspx?did=10628
Karanga (Jennifer Adams is Chair):
https://karanga.org/
Futureworx (Paul Brinkhurst’s Organization):
https://futureworx.ca/
A podcast exploring some of the most crucial emerging challenges to the future of work, presented by The Conference Board of Canada.
Ce balado a été enregistré en anglais, mais vous pouvez en lire la transcription en français.
S4 Ep. 02: Educating for Sustainability—Green Skills in Canada
31:46
S4 Ep. 01: Educational AI—Unlocking Potential in Post-Secondary Institutions
37:02
S3 Ep. 05: Indigenous Youth Entering the Labour Market
28:48
S3 Ep. 04: Neurodiversity
26:33
S3 Ep. 03: Les femmes en entrepreneuriat
44:31
S3 Ep. 02: L’intégration des nouveaux arrivants au Canada : l’exemple du Nouveau-Brunswick
26:25
S3 Ep. 01: Comprendre les pénuries de main-d’œuvre au Canada
25:25
S2 Ep. 06: Skills for the Digital Economy
28:53
S2 Ep. 05: Skills for the Clean Economy
26:07
S2 Ep. 04: Putting Microcredentials into Practice
25:27
S2 Ep. 03: Supporting the Future of Small Business and Entrepreneurs through Skills Development
29:55
S2 Ep. 02: Adapting to Change—The Case of Canada’s Hospitality & Tourism Industry
19:51
S2 Ep. 01: Youth Employment and Skills Training for an Inclusive Recovery
21:41
Ep. 06: Gig Economy and Independent Workers
38:52
Ep. 05: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Work—WIL
32:06
Ep. 04: Upskilling and Reskilling (Mid-Career Workers)
34:02
Ep. 03: Skilled Trades—Transitioning to a Digital, Green, and Human Future
34:52
Ep. 02: Addressing Inequalities in the Workforce
27:27
Ep. 01: Developing Social and Emotional Skills in an Automated World
30:32
Ep. 00: Trailer—Future Skills Centre Podcast Series
1:27