Canadian Council on Learning | Conseil Canadien sur l'Apprentissage

New report emphasizes role workplace training and adult learning play in Canada’s prosperity

September 24, 2009 Ottawa—A timely report from the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) offers a detailed look at adult learning and workplace training in Canada, and explores the role that each play in enhancing the social and economic prosperity of the country.

The report, Securing Prosperity through Canada’s Human Infrastructure: The State of Adult Learning and Workplace Training in Canada (which is available at www.ccl-cca.ca/adultworkplace2009) examines how investments in “human infrastructure”—or skilled workers—can offer more powerful and lasting benefits than investments in physical roads, buildings and equipment. In fact, the report finds that it can be three times as important to economic growth in the long run.

The report also explores:

• The ways in which adult education and training can enable Canadians to better adapt to disruptions in the labour market; 
  
  
• How economic downturns can exacerbate the vulnerability of individuals most at risk of unemployment, including: youth, immigrants, older workers, those in temporary and casual employment and low-skilled individuals and;
  
  
• How employer-related support for workplace training and adult learning (such as job counselling, on-the-job training and employment incentives), can contribute to a more flexible, knowledgeable workforce—and offer a competitive edge in the global economy.

“This cogent and timely report makes a compelling statement about the importance of a segment of our economy that has been neglected for too long,” says Dr. Paul Cappon, President and CEO of CCL. “I believe that it will prove an indispensable resource for employers, labour unions, educational institutions and policy-makers as our country begins its climb out of the global recession.” 

As in other countries, Canada’s economic strength depends on its ability to develop a skilled and flexible workforce, capable of adapting to continual global economic and societal changes.

This was made evident in the wake of the global recession, which resulted in deteriorated labour-market conditions in Canada and widespread job losses, plant closures, salary freezes and organizational restructuring.

Unfortunately, as this report highlights, workplace training budgets are often the first to be cut during difficult economic times—which is exactly when investments in training should be made.

Although Canada cannot predict the changes that lie ahead, particularly in light of projections for slow economic recovery, it can respond to emerging challenges from a position of strength. This report provides convincing evidence that investments in human infrastructure can foster the conditions that better enable individuals and society to adapt to change.

Securing Prosperity through Canada’s Human Infrastructure is the second of CCL’s thematic reports that explore the state of adult learning and workplace training in Canada. The first, Unlocking Canada’s Potential, was released in June 2007.

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The Canadian Council on Learning is an independent, not-for-profit corporation funded through an agreement with Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Its mandate is to promote and support evidence-based decisions about learning throughout all stages of life, from early childhood through to the senior years.

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