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Being future-ready means learning new and advanced skills in demand for your specific career goal—in other words, proactive career management. Are you future-ready?
The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation of British Columbia says employers in B.C. are feeling the global labour shortage. About 80% of the million job openings over the next decade will require post-secondary education and new skills. Becoming future-ready will require the largest commitment to skills training, talent development and workforce readiness in B.C.
Future-readiness involves monitoring and evaluating the job market against a person’s skill set and developing new expertise and qualifications as required so individuals remain valuable members of the workforce.
Heather McGilvary is senior programming and e-learning manager at Technation Canada, a national technology industry association representing Canadian technology companies that are changing the world through innovation, creativity and ingenuity.
She says the essential skills required for future readiness include a blend of technical, interpersonal and cognitive abilities. “The result is a future workforce equipped with the right skills that can be applied to real-world experiences and the ability to pivot and grow with the industry’s changing needs,” McGilvary says.
Training providers must listen to the industry and stay in tune with businesses to determine where growth opportunities are.
“Businesses are looking ahead and determining what industry changes, including advancement in technology, will support business growth and sustainability,” says Chris Penner, Operations Manager for Jelly Academy. “They need to hire individuals with the skills required to support that business growth, in particular, through technical skills.”
Jelly Academy is a Canadian leader in current and future-ready digital marketing skills training, rapid reskilling, and micro-training.
“We look at filling the gaps that exist on candidates’ resumés by listening to the industry, and as a result, supporting these growth opportunities,” Penner says.
The Ministry says B.C. businesses are willing to reach a more diverse talent pool but often lack the recruitment strategy and retention knowledge to effectively integrate diversity and equity.
Success, Penner says, begins at the grassroots level.
“We need to work from where and why gaps exist in DEI,” he says. “Are there barriers to entry into a certain industry for underrepresented groups? If so, what are they, and how can we help address them?”
McGilvary says diversity is essential in enabling digital transformation in Canada. She points to Technation’s Career Ready Program, which provides wage subsidies for work-term placements.
“Employers hiring students from underrepresented groups can receive an increased wage subsidy of up to 70% (to a maximum of $7,000) to encourage diverse and inclusive hiring practices,” she says.
“Being future-ready is about removing barriers and accelerating talent development and skills training for people,” Penner says. “We provide live or on-demand lessons to students, through our Digital Marketing, PR Fundamentals and Influencer Marketing 101, Account Management, and B2B Sales Specialist courses.”
Learn more about Jelly Academy at jellyacademy.ca
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