I've been contemplating the dynamic labour market and its future but struggled to grasp the driving factors. However, a report featured in CERIC's CareerWise Weekly offered an insightful perspective that clarified things for me.

Deloitte's report, Global Disruption in 4D: Exploring Intersecting Forces Impacting Canada's Future, expertly pulls together themes about the workforce and how we can prepare for the future, making it a good summer read to ponder. I was also reading this report with the lens of the value of community-based employment services and how our sector supports the larger labour market.

Image found on page 4 of the report: 
Global Disruption in 4D: Exploring Intersecting Forces Impacting Canada's Future

According to the report, Canada faces four major disruptions: talent transformation, AI revolution, race to net zero, and geopolitical uncertainty. These interconnected forces are reshaping the nation's future, necessitating systems-level thinking, collaboration, and innovative approaches to navigate these challenges effectively.

The talent transformation, while presenting workforce shortages and skill gaps due to an aging population, evolving skills needs, and changing worker preferences, also offers an opportunity to enhance Canada's competitiveness if addressed effectively.

Talent shortages, difficulty commercializing AI, and global competition for AI resources slow the AI revolution. This delay results in missed opportunities for AI-enabled growth.

The race to net zero presents an urgent need to act on climate change. This requires coordinated international efforts and dealing with geopolitical conflicts impacting energy supply chains. Failure to act could lead to severe economic and environmental consequences, while coordinated climate action can boost the global economy.

Geopolitical uncertainty involves global power shifts, protectionism, and trade disruptions impacting supply chains and security. These factors strain global supply chains and increase trade tensions, posing risks and opportunities for Canada.

The report concludes that Canada must address these disruptions holistically, recognizing their intersections and trade-offs. Where do contracted community-based employment service providers fit in?

Our value is not just in collaboration and innovation but in being crucial to keeping Canada moving forward. We have networks provincially, federally, and globally with on-the-ground labour market intelligence. We are integral to the solution.

Janet Morris-Reade, CEO
ASPECT BC