O C TO B E R 2 0 - 2 1 , 2 0 1 3 - O T TAWA , O N TA R I O

Summary Report

A C C C N AT I O N A L S K I L L S S U M M I T

Association of Canadian Community CollegesACCC is the national and international voice of publicly funded colleges and institutes in Canada, working with industry and social sectors to train 1.5 million learners of all ages and backgrounds at campuses serving over 3,000 urban, rural and remote communities from coast to coast to coast.

Colleges are the advanced skills educators of choice. Advisory Committees comprising local employers ensure that college programs align with employers’ requirements and operate on the leading edge of skills identification, economic trends, and market shifts. Colleges support business growth and sustainability by supplying graduates with advanced skills, re-skilling employees, offering customized education, and providing applied research and development support. They help the disadvantaged gain access to post-secondary education, in particular Indigenous peoples, the disabled and newcomers to Canada.

© Copyright ACCC 2014

Association of Canadian Community Colleges 1 Rideau Street, Suite 701Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 8S7 Tel. 613-746-2222

www.accc.ca

A C C C N AT I O N A L S K I L L S S U M M I TO C TO B E R 2 0 - 2 1 , 2 0 1 3 - O T TAWA , O N TA R I O

Summary Report BackgroundThe National Skills Summit, organized by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), assembled senior leaders across economic and social sectors, key government leaders and CEOs of member colleges and institutes across Canada. Participants shared perspectives on solutions and go-forward actions to address the skills shortages in Canada.

Many sectors in Canada are identifying labour supply challenges. For some, like the construction sector, “… the need for skilled employees is unprecedented,” said Michael Atkinson, President of the Canadian Construction Association. Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters report 40% of their members are not meeting sales demands due to a shortage of skilled workers.

In addition, technology is driving the need for a more specialized workforce. The workplace has changed and employers are seeking highly skilled individuals. Many current employees need reskilling, while vulnerable groups, like Indigenous peoples, disadvantaged youth, persons with disabilities and youth that are neither employed nor in education and training, require essential skills for employment. Immigrants also need support systems, training programs and services to help with their integration into the labour market.

Unless mitigating measures are adopted within the next ten years, employers will not be able to find the qualified candidates for 1.5 million available jobs and the impact on Canada’s economy will be severe.

A priority for colleges and institutes across Canada is collaborating with industry, social organizations and governments to overcome mutual challenges and build on successes.

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Regional Realities•Labourmarketdatashortfall;•Highmobilityfromoneregiontoanother,resultinginlabourshortagesandskills mismatchesinregionswithupcomingdevelopmentprojects;•Lowmobilityinnorthernregions;•Labourforcegrowthinurbanareas;•Skillsgapsinprofessionalsectorssuchasengineering,health,social services,artsandculture;•Needtofocusoncareerdevelopment,movetonetworkedsystem, more degrees at colleges, stimulate business engagement, overhaul apprenticeshipsystems;•CompletionratesforIndigenouspeoplebelowthoseofnon-Indigenous people;•Skillshortagesarenotlinkedtostateofeconomybutratherto government policy (e.g. how efficiently institutions train and limited investment in training by employers).

Partner Perspectives

•Businessdegreesshouldrequireahumanresourcescomponent;•Essentialskillsandemployabilityskillsinworkforceneedenhancement;•Needcollaborationbetweenbusiness,PSE,governmentandunionstodevelopacoherentskills developmentstrategyatanationallevel;•DevelopacultureinCanadathatplacesvalueontechnicalcredentials;•Up-skilltheexistingworkforceandincreaseparticipationofunder-representedgroupsinPSE;•Needcreativesolutions:grants,co-opprograms,mentorships,etc.;•Consideranationallabourmarketforum;•Needleaderstohelpcreatesolutionsforemployersseekingskilledemployees;•Thereisamarketnicheforcollegestoprovidethetechnicalskillsandhelpemployersretaintheiremployees;•Needtoengageyouth;•Reformtheeducationsystem-thereisnotechnicaltrainingintheK-12systemanymore;•Rethinkoureconomydigitally.ITisinallsectors;•Focusonpedagogy,people,placesandpromotion.

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Through the Lens of Youth•Transferabilityoflearningandrecognitionof credentials is an issue.•Co-opopportunitiesarechallengingtofind.•Workintegratedlearningisessential.•Secondaryschoolguidancecounselorsneedmore information to better counsel students on study pathways and careers, including labour market information.•Thereisaneedtobringmoreindustryandbusiness representatives into classrooms.•Thereisachangeneededintheperceivededucationhierarchy (e.g. misconception that university is superior to college or trades).

Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC): Results and Implications for Canada •PIIACfindingsshowthatCanadarankshighlyindigitalskills,isaverageinliteracyandisbelowaverageinnumeracy.•FewinternationalanalystsunderstandtheCanadiancontextandfewCanadiananalystsunderstandthecollegesector.•Canadaleadsinpost-secondaryattainment,butnotinPIAACresults.

•28%ofthelabourforceinCanadahasacollege-leveleducationandisemployed, comparedto12%fortheOECDaverage.•Thecollegesectorismoreinclusivewithstudentsfrommorediversebackgrounds.•Therearemorepeopleinoccupationsthatrequirehighskills.•Canadahashigher-than-averageproportionofpeopleatboththehighandlow skill levels.

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Indigenous Perspectives•NeedtorecognizebroadlandscapewhenservingIndigenouspeoples;•Proactivityiskeyinbuildingpartnershipsbetweencompanies, Indigenouscommunitiesandpost-secondaryeducationinstitutions;•CompaniesneedtoinvestintrainingIndigenouspeoples;•Curriculummustincludelifeskillsandculturalcontent;•Needtoofferrelevanteducationprogramscloseto communities – e.g. related to natural resource developments.

Industry Perspectives•Needacompetency-basedapproach;•Morepriorlearningassessmentforimmigrantsisrequired;•Partofsolutionisininnovation;•Needtosecureworkersforresource-basedprojectsinremoteareas;•Themobilityfactorishugeforsomeindustriesandisakeypartoflong-termsolutionstotheir skillsshortages;•Theabilitytoaccessimmigrantandforeign-trainedworkersinatimelymannerisanecessaryoption.

International Perspectives•InColombia,science,mathandtechnologyarepromotedatayoungage;entrepreneurship ispromotedinbothruralandurbanareas;focusisonsoftskills;•InUSA,needtoretooltalent;describethiseraasHumanAge–definedby ingenuityofindividualsandcommunities;•Seefourglobaltrends: •emergingmarkets; • indicatorsofthehumanage;demographicsand talentmismatch; •riseofcustomersophisticationandindividualchoice; •technologicalrevolutions.

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Differing Views•TherearefourmismatchesinCanada’seconomy:supply-demand,geographical, overqualified and under-qualified.•Educationalattainmentlevelsarehighernowthanin2010,yetlabourforcedemand projections are lower.•Thereisahigherdemandforcollegeeducationtodaythanuniversityeducation.•Therewillbenolabourmarketshortageinthefuture.Foreveryvacancytoday,there are six unemployed.•Thereareimportantmarketfailures:failureofgovernmentthatcontinuestofund trainingforjobsthatdonotexist;failureofschoolsthatcontinuetotrainforjobsthat do not exist.

The Honourable Jason Kenney Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister of Multiculturalism said:

•Skillsgap/shortagesisthesinglebiggestchallengeforoureconomy.•CanadahashighestlevelofpublicspendingonskillsdevelopmentinOECD,butlowestofbusiness investment in skills development.•Wemustdoabetterjobofcreatingandprovidingaccurate,robustlabourmarketinformationbyregion and by industry especially to young people.•Ourfutureimmigrationsystemwillattractpeoplewhohavepreciseskillstofillspecificjobssotheyare able to work at their skill level upon arrival.•Businessesarenotdoingenoughtoinvestinthetrainingofprospectiveemployees.•TherewillbeflexibilityintheCanadaJobGrantforimplementationwithprovinces.•Thereneedstobeclosercollaborationbetweenunion,employers,educationalsector,federaland provincial governments to support the choices made by young people.•Collegesarewheretherubberhitstheroadthroughmarketresponsiveprograms.

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Key Messages

Ann Buller President, Centennial College and ACCC Board Chair, summarized the messages heard at the Summit:

•Peopledonotknowthestoriesaboutcolleges;tradesisonlyoneportionofwhatcollegesdo;•Governmentandindustryneedtounderstandthesituationincolleges:collegesarestuckinfirstgear;•Needmorepeopleandabettermatch;•Collegesplayanimportantroleininnovationandresearch;•Essentialskillsareimportantacrossallsectors;newessentialskillsinclude entrepreneurshipanddigitalliteracy;•Needtogivepeopleinskilledtradestherespecttheydeserve;theyare highlyskilled;•Onthemobilityissue,weneedtobreakdownprovincialbarriers; colleges must also explain what they do and help ease the way throughinstitutionsforstudents;•Mustdomoretoincentivizeyoungpeople;•Ourgreatestshortageisleadership: •Allstakeholdersmusttakeupthechargeindividuallyandcollaboratively; •Labourmarketinformationiscriticalfortrainers,employers,studentsandparents;•Needforsocialandeconomicinclusionofallgroups:immigrants,Indigenouspeoples,women, disadvantagedyouth,personswithdisabilities-allneedbetteraccesstoPSE;•Needenhancementstotheapprenticeshipsystemtoimprovecompletionratesofapprenticesandreduce mobilitybarriersbetweenjurisdictions;•Consideracompetency-basedapproachtoensurethatjobsarenotbasedsolelyoncredentials,but rathertheskillsneededintheworkplace;•Needtoreducebarrierstoenhancetransferability,mobilityandtherecognitionofcredentials andofpriorlearning,betweencollegesanduniversitiesandbetweenjurisdictions;•K-12systemneedsmoreenhancedinformationtopromotecareersthroughstudiesatcollegesandinstitutes across Canada. Math and science study outcomes must be improved and emphasized particularly for trades,informationtechnologyandengineeringstudies;•Theskillsgapsareanissueforallprovincesandterritoriesandwemustworkonshorttermaswellas longtermaction;•Thereisaneedforcivicengagementtoaddressthechallenge.

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•Needtoreducebarrierstoenhancetransferability,mobilityandtherecognitionofcredentials andofpriorlearning,betweencollegesanduniversitiesandbetweenjurisdictions;•K-12systemneedsmoreenhancedinformationtopromote careers through studies at colleges and institutes across Canada. Math and science study outcomes must be improved and emphasized particularly for trades, information technology and engineeringstudies;•Theskillsgapsareanissueforallprovincesandterritories andwemustworkonshorttermaswellaslongtermaction;•Thereisaneedforcivicengagementtoaddressthechallenge.

Stakeholder Collaboration is the Key to Address Skills ShortagesColleges and institutes in Canada are aligned with the needs of employers. They develop program curriculum that ismarketresponsiveandoffercustomizededucation;haveestablishedbusinessandindustrypartnerships;andplay an important role in applied research and innovation. Yet, there is still a compelling story to tell to government industry and the general public about advanced skills offerings, including degrees and specialized post-graduate programs. Too many people still believe colleges provide only vocational and trades training. There is a need to dispel the myth and raise awareness about the possibilities available through studies at colleges, institutes and polytechnics.

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Where to from Here

Denise Amyot President & CEO, ACCC, outlined some go-forward actions:

Action Plan for ACCC

•ProvideaSummaryReportoftheNationalSkillsSummittoalldelegates. Status: Completed.

•EngagewithindustryrepresentedattheNationalSkillsSummittoworkjointlyonproposedsolutions. Status: Joint meeting planned with college leaders and the Forest Products Association of Canada with respect to forest innovation and transformation.

•Re-establishEmployers’CoalitiononAdvancedSkills. Status: Industry College Coalition created in January 2014.

•AppointthreenewexternalDirectorstotheACCCBoard. Status: Two new external Directors appointed to Board in February 2014.

•LeverageitsworkontransferabilityandpathwaysandwiththeJointACCC/AUCCPresidentsWorkingGroup. Status: Transferability, Articulation and Pathways Committee exploring ways to promote to stakeholders, the importance of pathways; Joint Presidents’ Working Group exploring broader collaboration between colleges and universities.

•ExplorethepossibilityofanationalcampaignontheskillsgaplikeBCdid. Status: Will be discussed with Industry College Coalition.

•Sharethemessageatnationalindustryconferencesandvariousfora. Status: Presentation made at the Canadian Economic Club.

Colleges and institutes support economic growth by supplying graduates with advanced skills for all sectors. They train 35% of those in the labour market and are uniquely positioned to contribute towards reducing the skills gap. There is a compelling need to have learners pursue post-secondary education at colleges, institutes and polytechnics to ensure they get jobs.

ACCC Member Colleges and Institutes

British Columbia British Columbia Institute of Technology Camosun CollegeCapilano University Collège ÉducacentreDouglas CollegeUniversity of the Fraser ValleyJustice Institute of British ColumbiaKwantlen Polytechnic University Langara CollegeCollege of New CaledoniaNative Education CollegeNicola Valley Institute of TechnologyNorth Island CollegeNorthern Lights CollegeNorthwest Community CollegeOkanagan CollegeCollege of the RockiesSelkirk CollegeVancouver Community CollegeVancouver Island University Yukon Yukon College

Alberta Bow Valley CollegeGrande Prairie Regional CollegeKeyano CollegeLakeland CollegeLethbridge CollegeMedicine Hat CollegeNorQuest CollegeNorthern Alberta Institute of TechnologyNorthern Lakes CollegeOlds CollegePortage CollegeRed Deer College SAIT Polytechnic

Northwest Territories Aurora College

Manitoba Assiniboine Community CollegeUniversity College of the NorthRed River CollegeÉcole technique et professionnelle, Université de Saint-BonifaceWinnipeg Technical College

Nunavut Nunavut Arctic College

Saskatchewan Carlton Trail Regional CollegeCumberland Regional CollegeGreat Plains College North West Regional CollegeNorthlands CollegeParkland CollegeSaskatchewan Indian Institute of TechnologiesSaskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology Southeast Regional College

Ontario Algonquin College Collège BoréalCambrian College Canadore College Centennial College Collège la CitéConestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced LearningConfederation College Durham CollegeFanshawe College Fleming CollegeGeorge Brown CollegeGeorgian CollegeHumber College Institute of Technology & Advanced LearningLambton College

Loyalist College The Michener Institute for Applied Health SciencesMohawk College Niagara CollegeNorthern College St. Clair College St. Lawrence CollegeSault College Seneca College Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced LearningUniversité de Guelph, Campus d’AlfredUniversity of Guelph, Kemptville Campus

Quebec Cégep de l’Abitibi-TémiscamingueCollège AhuntsicCégep André-LaurendeauCégep de Baie-ComeauCégep Beauce-AppalachesChamplain Regional CollegeCégep de ChicoutimiDawson CollegeCégep de Drummondville Cégep Édouard-MontpetitCégep Garneau Cégep de la Gaspésie et des ÎlesCollège Gérald-GodinHeritage CollegeInstitut de technologie agroalimentaireCégep John Abbott CollegeCégep de JonquièreCégep de La PocatièreCollège LaflècheCégep LimoilouCollège Lionel-GroulxCollège de MaisonneuveCégep Marie-VictorinCégep de MataneCollège de Mérici

Collège MontmorencyCégep de l’Outaouais Cégep régional de LanaudièreCollège de RosemontCégep de Sainte-FoyCégep de Saint-FélicienCégep de Saint-HyacintheCégep Saint-Jean-sur-RichelieuCégep de Saint-JérômeCégep de Saint-LaurentCégep de Sept-ÎlesCollège ShawiniganCégep de SherbrookeCégep de ThetfordCégep de Trois-RivièresVanier CollegeCégep de Victoriaville Cégep du Vieux-Montréal

New Brunswick New Brunswick College of Craft and DesignNew Brunswick Community College Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador College of the North Atlantic Marine Institute Centre for Nursing Studies

Nova Scotia Cape Breton UniversityCanadian Coast Guard CollegeDalhousie Agricultural Campus of Dalhousie UniversityNova Scotia Community CollegeUniversité Sainte-Anne - Collège de l’Acadie

Prince Edward Island Holland College Collège Acadie Î.-P.-É.

Association of Canadian Community Colleges 1 Rideau Street, Suite 701, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 8S7 Tel. 613-746-2222© Copyright ACCC 2014

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