Two major recent studies – from Derek Burleton and his colleagues at Toronto-Dominion Bank, and from former senior federal government official Cliff Halliwell published by the Institute for Research on Public Policy – provide excellent overviews of recent developments in the Canadian job market, and an informed framework for thinking about our future skills needs.
Pointing to the lack of wage growth in occupations that are allegedly in short supply of workers, as well as limited reported job vacancies, the studies agree that the extent of skills shortages in Canada today is greatly exaggerated. Both question the need for large numbers of temporary foreign workers.
This message seems to have finally got through to the Harper government. In a speech to the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 14, Employment and Skills Development Minister Jason Kenney told employers to stop complaining and to stop relying excessively upon temporary workers. Instead, he said, employers should “put more skin in the game” by increasing wages in high-demand occupations and by investing more in the training of Canadians.
Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at
via No shortage of workers – just a shortage of training – The Globe and Mail.
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