Skills
LMI: Alone, we can go fast—but together, we can go far
On November 25, 2020, the Government of Canada (GC) released a report titled Canada – A learning nation: A skilled, agile workforce ready to shape the future. The report outlines five priorities, starting with providing access to relevant, reliable, timely labour market information and tools so all Canadians can make informed learning and training decisions.…Read More
Strength in Numbers: LMIC, MDB Insight and Vicinity Jobs Harness Big Data
The idea of using online job postings to track labour market trends is not new. Vicinity Jobs started doing this in 2006, in collaboration with Canadian economic development professionals. Since the internet is the go-to place for employers to connect with job seekers, this concept makes perfect sense. The information that employers publish to attract…Read More
Addressing critical workforce needs: Ensuring Canada’s food supply in times of crisis
Until a few weeks ago, most Canadians hadn’t thought much about where their food comes from, who produces it, or if there would be enough for everyone. Panic buying across the country has meant that one week there are no eggs in grocery stores, and the next week there is no flour. Confronted with empty…Read More
Going Global with Big Data
Across the world, skills are one of the biggest data gaps in labour market information (LMI). In addition to being difficult to identify and measure, skills are not clearly defined. As we noted in a recent LMI Insight report, these skills data gaps can only be meaningfully filled if skills are linked to existing labour market data such as occupations.…Read More
Dial up your skills for the future
I recently came across the BuzzFeed article “24 Pictures Old Millennials Can Hear, Even if They Haven’t Heard Them in Years.” As a sucker for ’90s nostalgia, I couldn’t click fast enough. Picture number three is of the iconic America Online (AOL) mailbox, which, as promised, immediately caused my brain to chime “You’ve Got Mail.”…Read More
Amplifying the Impact of Data
Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at the Hot Topics Luncheon at Amplify 2019, an annual conference hosted by FirstWork, Ontario’s Youth Employment Network. Amplify provides an opportunity to bring together leaders from a wide variety of front-line organizations that provide labour market information (LMI), guidance, and advice to youth and other job seekers…Read More
Understanding and Dealing with Labour and Skill Shortages
On April 9, LMIC participated in the Ottawa Economics Association and Canadian Association Business Economics 2019 Spring Policy Conference. The annual conference is an opportunity for economics, business and policy professionals to come together to discuss and share ideas on the most important economic issues in Canada. This year’s conference explored the ways in which Canada can build resiliency for the future.…Read More
What’s in a name, or three?
It’s difficult to read your top newsfeed or scan your social media without tripping over the issue of labour or skills shortages in Canada. A quick internet search returns results that range from “Severe shortages in the 2018 Canadian labour market,” “Canada’s labour shortage intensifies, with nearly 400,000 vacant jobs,” and “In Canada, labour shortage…Read More