The Future Skills Centre announced Monday it will invest $7.6 million in 35 new projects aimed at strengthening Canada’s workforce as the country faces technological disruption and economic uncertainty.
The Toronto-based organization, funded by the federal government’s Future Skills program, selected the projects from more than 780 proposals submitted through its Skills Horizon initiative. The investment targets skills training in areas including green technology, digital literacy and job transitions.
“This is Canada’s moment to lead,” said Noel Baldwin, the centre’s executive director. “We see the challenges ahead – technological disruption, demographic shifts, global uncertainty – and we invest in workers and employers to build long-term, evidence-based solutions that will safeguard our future workforce.”
The projects range from supporting internationally educated nurses in Ontario to training Indigenous workers in green construction in Manitoba. In one project, the SEIU Healthcare Training Centre will help address Ontario’s critical nursing shortage through a 12-week program for internationally educated nurses that includes immigration assistance, credential evaluation and English proficiency training.
Another initiative will see Purpose Construction Inc. in Winnipeg expand a pilot program that trained 40 Indigenous participants while building five affordable housing units. The expanded program aims to construct 22 affordable units while training 30 Indigenous participants in green construction techniques.
Technology and automation focus
Several projects address how artificial intelligence and automation are changing job requirements across sectors. Electricity Human Resources Canada will assess workforce impacts as AI transforms the electricity industry, analyzing skill shifts needed to expand electricity capacity for AI data centres.
The University of Victoria will study how digital twin technologies affect workforce training in agriculture, mining, utilities and construction. These technologies integrate 3D data collection, AI analytics and virtual environments but require significant worker reskilling.
Government backs workforce development
Federal Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu said the investment supports the government’s goal of building the fastest-growing economy in the G7.
“A strong Canada relies on a skilled workforce,” Hajdu said. “Through these investments, over 103,000 Canadians across the country have gained access to skills training and employment opportunities that equip them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.”
The centre has secured funding until March 2027 and operates through a consortium that includes Toronto Metropolitan University, Blueprint and The Conference Board of Canada.
Supporting underserved groups
Nearly three-quarters of the funded projects support underserved groups, including Black youth, Indigenous Peoples and newcomers to Canada. The Re-Seasoning Coalition will examine barriers facing Black employees in Canada’s foodservice industry, while the Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies will develop an implementation framework for refugee youth employment programs in Nova Scotia.
In British Columbia, the Coastal Research, Education, and Advocacy Network will study how lack of recognition for Indigenous cultural holidays and ceremonies affects employee retention and leadership opportunities.
Green economy transition
Multiple projects focus on preparing workers for Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy. The British Columbia Construction Association will train 40 people in green energy careers through an eight-week program in Kamloops and Prince George, targeting equity-deserving groups underrepresented in construction.
Iron & Earth will address workforce barriers for Indigenous and Black youth, newcomers and marginalized groups entering green careers through community talks, renewable skills training and a climate career portal.
The Canada Green Building Council will analyze how decarbonizing the building sector affects workforce needs, modeling three scenarios from current growth to significant decarbonization.
Broad reach across sectors
The Future Skills Centre’s work spans all provinces, territories and economic sectors. The organization says it tries to anticipate labour market changes so Canadians can prepare for future job demands.
Through its new Designing Solutions initiative, the centre works directly with 10 partner organizations to develop community-based skills interventions.
Over six years, the centre has invested $286 million in more than 390 research and pilot projects. It works with 2,900 project partners across Canada to test solutions and share research findings.
Funding recipients
Pathways to Jobs:
- IEN Career Pathway Program (Ontario): 12-week program for internationally educated nurses including immigration help and English training
- Scaling Purpose Homes (Manitoba): Indigenous participants build 22 affordable housing units while learning green construction
- Advancing IEN Care Pathways (Alberta): Micro-credentials for internationally educated nurses in emergency care and geriatrics
- Youth Employment Success Assessment (Nunavut, Yukon, Ontario): Evaluating STEAM career programs for Indigenous and northern youth
Technology and Automation:
- Powering AI (Canada-wide): Assessing workforce impacts of AI in electricity industry
- Digital Skills Training (Saskatchewan): Computer science training for Indigenous, newcomers, women and youth
- Digital Twin Technology Evaluation (BC): Studying workforce impacts of digital twin adoption across sectors
- AI Economic Impact Study (Canada-wide): Expanded research on AI’s effects on skills and productivity
Small Business Support:
- Regional Talent Accelerator (BC): AI-powered workforce development for Metro Vancouver innovation sectors
Inclusive Economy:
- Fair Chance Employment (Canada-wide): Research on hiring people with criminal records across six industries
- Black Experience in Foodservice (Ontario, Quebec): Examining equity barriers in restaurant industry
- Refugee Youth Employment Framework (Nova Scotia): Scalable employment programs for refugee youth
- Substance Use and Employment (BC): Mapping employability services for people in recovery
- Health English for Physicians (Canada-wide): Medical communication training for newcomer doctors
- Black Immigrants in Northwest Territories: Workplace inclusion research and policy recommendations
- Indigenous Foundational Learning (Alberta): Literacy and numeracy pathways for northern communities
- Indigenous Cultural Time Off (BC): Research on workplace accommodation for cultural holidays
Sustainable Jobs:
- Future Builders (BC): Green energy training for 40 people in Kamloops and Prince George
- Breaking Energy Workforce Barriers (Canada-wide): Multi-component program for marginalized groups entering green careers
- Coal Worker Transition Evaluation (Alberta): Assessment of provincial transition program effectiveness
- Green Skills and Apprenticeship (Canada-wide): Analysis of how decarbonization affects skilled trades
- Green Building Workforce (Canada-wide): Decarbonization impact modeling for construction sector
- Electric School Bus Training (Ontario, Quebec): Upskilling mechanics for electric vehicle maintenance
- Mining Skills Innovation (BC): Workforce strategy for 256,000 new mining workers needed by 2035
Designing Solutions Projects (10 community co-design initiatives):
- Cultural Workforce Revival (Nunavut): Elder training program for Inuinnaqtun language preservation
- Employment Service Integration (Ontario): Connecting literacy training with employment services
- Disability Entrepreneurship Support (Quebec): Adaptive mentorship for entrepreneurs with disabilities
- Refugee Employment Integration (BC): Language learning combined with job placement
- Self-Employment Pathways (Ontario): Entrepreneurship support for Ontario Works participants
- Black Neurodiverse Youth Support (Alberta, Ontario): Culturally grounded workforce model
- Northern Housing and Skills (Canada-wide): Integrated housing assembly and trades training
- Community-Led Development (Canada-wide): Formalizing citizen development as profession
- Youth Protection Transition (Quebec): Employment support for youth leaving protection system
- Clean Economy Career Navigation (BC): Interactive tool for accessing green jobs
