Future Skills Council

Mandate

Appointed by the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, the Future Skills Council provides advice on emerging skills and workforce trends. It brings together leaders from public, private, labour, Indigenous and not-for-profit organizations to identify common priorities from across sectors. The council encourages action to help ensure jobseekers, workers and employers have access to training and supports that prepare them for the future.

The council engages organizations across the country as well as international experts to understand how innovation, technology and other events affect people and communities. 

Membership

Future Skills Council members are subject matter experts in skills development and training. Members bring diverse perspectives from:

• public
• private
• labour
• not-for-profit, and
• different geographic and demographic groups

Council members have knowledge of emerging trends that are changing the demand for skills in the labour market. They also have expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• education and training
• skilled trades and apprenticeships
• skills and competencies
• changing nature of work
• inclusive labour market policy
• gender issues, and
• distinction-based approaches for Indigenous peoples

Representatives from the Labour Market Information Council and the Future Skills Centre participate in Future Skills Council meetings. They participate as observers to foster connections and complement efforts.

Report

The Future Skills Council’s report, Canada – A learning nation, sets an ambitious vision for a thriving and dynamic workforce where everyone has a chance to succeed. It prioritizes lifelong skills development as key to building a skilled, agile workforce that is ready to shape the future of our country.

The COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis has brought into sharp focus many of the challenges facing underrepresented groups. The Council’s report is a call to action that recognizes now more than ever, business, labour, education and training providers, Indigenous and not-for-profit organizations, and governments need to collaborate. Together we can build a learning nation that will benefit every Canadian, every community, and our country as a whole.