I
n August, we told you about the Building a Modern 21st Century Workforce consultation from the Federal Government. The deadline was extended to October 31 and we realized you might be interested in our submission. We have coordinated our answers with those from CERIC and the Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Employability Training. In its discussion document, the Government of Canada has identified three priorities to foster a modern, diverse, inclusive and productive 21st-century labour market:
- Priority one: Ensuring better alignment between workforce strategies, training institutions, labour groups, employers and economic priorities
- Priority two: Eliminating inefficiencies and barriers in Canadian labour markets
- Priority three: Maximizing labour productivity through strategic skills development and lifelong learning
Here is a sneak peek at what we said on your behalf:
Question 1. Are there other areas of focus that should be included? Please explain
The Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training (ASPECT BC) supports the development of a National Employment and Training Strategy that ensures career development and employability training aligns with labour market needs beyond the shifts of political cycles. As a representative voice for over 100 community-based service providers in British Columbia, ASPECT BC underscores the role of community-based career services as essential public assets. These services offer accessible, proactive guidance to help Canadians navigate job transitions, set meaningful career goals, and adapt to economic changes.
A National Employment and Training Strategy would create a cohesive approach across public services, education systems, and community organizations, focusing especially on underserved communities. Such a strategy would build the necessary infrastructure for local employment service providers to meet labour demands effectively by fostering collaboration among employers, government, and community partners. This coordinated approach would reduce service duplication, maximize resources, and empower local organizations to support workforce needs across Canada.
Click here to see all 14 of our answers.>
