and supports. Improved prevention strategies
are also needed, along with effective
return-to-work programs.
SKILLS GAPS, DATA GAPS
It’s no secret that the economy is changing
quickly – especially in Ontario, where
industries are shifting and technological
innovation is changing job requirements
faster than employers can write them.
Additional pressure is being placed
on the economy as a result of the aging
population: 89 per cent of the province’s
population growth in the coming years
will have to come from net migration.
It’s become very challenging for employers
to find qualified workers with the
necessary skills for the job. The Conference
Board of Canada noted in 2013 that this
province-wide skills gap may cost the
economy as much as $24.3 billion in lost
economic activity.
Part of the problem, according to employers,
is that there is not sufficient access to
labour market information – exacerbating
skills gaps. About 59 per cent of employers
feel there is not sufficient labour market information,
31 per cent were unsure and only 10
per cent felt there is sufficient access to information,
according to Strengthening Ontario’s
Workforce for the Jobs of Tomorrow, a new report
by the Human Resources Professionals
Association (HRPA).
Yet it’s very important for jurisdictions
to provide an accurate, up-to-date picture
of labour market trends, found the report.
Sixty-five per cent of employers said it is
“very important” and 11 per cent said it’s
“fairly important.” Zero per cent said it is
“not important at all.”
The report makes several recommendations
to close skill gaps – and data gaps
– in the province:
■■ Better data from the province on
labour market research
■■ Consolidation of data sources
■■ Better guidance for students
■■ Better support for the skilled trades
■■ Industry-education collaboration
■■ College-university collaboration
■■ Better on-the-job training offered by
employers
■■ Better hiring and integration of skilled,
foreign-trained professionals. n
news
EIGHTY-NINE PER CENT OF THE PROVINCE’S
POPULATION GROWTH IN THE COMING
YEARS WILL HAVE TO COME
FROM NET MIGRATION.
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