Workforce Development & Skills Shortage Trends in Ontario

Ontario Employers Experiencing High-Skilled Employment Shortage

The Government of Ontario has projected that by 2019 a total of 323,000 jobs will be created, but many of these positions will go unfilled. This is mainly attributed to employers’ inability to find properly trained and/or educated candidates to fill their roles. This growing challenge has made it difficult for business owners to develop…

3 Small Business Funding Events to Attend in September

Sign Up for a Small Business Funding Workshop in September 2017

The Canadian federal and provincial governments recognize the financial commitment businesses need to make to invest in growth and development initiatives. To help offset some of these costs, business owners can access government funding to maximize the impact of their strategic projects. Business owners and executives can become more aware of these opportunities by attending…

Canadian Small Business Trends: Summer 2017

Canadian Small Businesses Trends: Optimism in Summer 2017

The Bank of Canada’s quarterly Business Outlook Survey summarizes interviews between the bank and approximately 100 senior managers from businesses across Canada. Its purpose is to gather the perspectives of these businesses on topics such as demand, capacity pressures, and other economic indicators. The Summer 2017 Business Outlook Survey signalled that businesses are gaining strength…

SOSCIP: Computing Tools for Small Business Innovation

SOSCIP: Access Big Data Tools to Support Innovative Research Projects

Since 2012, SOSCIP has supported innovative research projects by pairing academic and industry researchers with access to advanced computing technologies and resources to address common industry challenges. SOSCIP consortium members include 15 of Ontario’s most research-intensive academic institutions, Ontario Centre of Excellence (OCE), and IBM Canada Ltd. as SOSCIP’s lead industry partner. About SOSCIP SOSCIP supports…

Industry Commercialization Associates Program

Alberta Innovates – Industry Commercialization Associates Program

Alberta is Canada’s second largest tech hub, however businesses across the province often find it difficult to commercialize their innovative technologies and products. This is mainly because employers lack the internal talent required to bring their ideas to market. To address this issue, the Government of Alberta has introduced funding programs like the Industry Commercialization…

Alberta Innovates Industry R&D Associates Program

Alberta Innovates Industry R&D Associates Program for Tech Development

In Alberta access to skilled labour continues to be a challenge for many employers. An alarming finding in a 2017 Government of Alberta report concluded that the province’s job vacancy rate is one of the highest in Canada. To address this challenge, the Government of Alberta has introduced funding programs, such as the Alberta Innovates…

Multi-Health Systems (MHS) +$572k Research Grants, Hiring Grants and Training Grants

Multi-Health Systems Awarded $572k in Research Funding & Hiring/Training Grants

For over 30 years, Multi-Health Systems (MHS) Inc. has solidified its position as a market leader in psychological assessments and mental diagnostic solutions. The company’s devotion to market innovation has led to the creation of internationally accepted solutions, including Conners suite of ADHD assessments, the Level of Service suite of assessments, and the Emotional Quotient…

Technical Skills Shortage Threatens Canada's Tech Sector

Technical Skills Shortage May Threaten Canada’s Technology Sector

Canada’s advanced technology sector is facing a shortage of technical talent and immediate action is needed to reduce this labour gap. With so much growth in emerging industries, including software engineering and web development, companies need qualified personnel who can develop and use these technologies in innovative ways. If this shortage in technical skills talent…

3 Ways to Communicate with Millennials Effectively

Optimize Your Web Presence to Attract and Communicate to Millennials

Generational gaps can create challenges for businesses, forcing businesses to adapt to the expectations imposed by younger generations. Currently, millennials make up 24% of the global population and are actively changing the ways in which businesses must operate. Like the generations before them, millennials have established their own work ethics and preferred methods of communication….

Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program: The Rules Have Changed

Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program: The Rules Have Changed

The Government of Canada recently made policy changes to its Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Among the announced changes, the program’s ‘4-in, 4-out’ rule will no longer apply. These changes will promote workforce stability and reduce hiring challenges faced by many Canadian employers. What does ‘4-in, 4 out’ mean? The Temporary Foreign Worker Program’s ‘4-in, 4-out’…