News Bulletin - October 2020
Like the iconic iceberg, there’s more to see and understand when it comes to the workforce innovation research projects funded through the NL Workforce Innovation Centre (NLWIC) and to the workforce innovators in Newfoundland and Labrador who are leading them. So learn more from the links and follow us, follow our projects, engage @NLWIC #tipoftheiceberg or download our brochure here. 
Strong soft or essential skills are the key to workplace success. They are used in different combinations within all jobs. Workers who can communicate well, act professionally, are able to handle disputes, and understand workplace expectations are typically much better employees. They can learn new technical skills more quickly; can teach others more effectively; are able to contribute more deliberately; and can adapt to change. 
Social Enterprise is a catalyst for social and economic empowerment and inclusion. It is defined as a non-profit initiative that produces and sells goods or services in a business-like model in the market economy, but they manage their operations and redirect their surpluses in pursuit of social, community, cultural or environmental goals.
CANADA COMEBACK CHALLENGE

The Canada Comeback Challenge creates opportunities for post-secondary students to contribute to Canada’s COVID-19 recovery while gaining valuable work-integrated learning (WIL) experience. Through a fun, skill-building national competition in an entirely online format, student teams will tackle real-world problems facing employers in Canada’s public, private, and non-profit sectors and compete for a chance to pitch their ideas to an esteemed panel of judges.

Students, don’t miss your chance to get involved - Sign up by October 18!
Enhancing Employability Through Soft Skills Development, a research project funded by the NL Workforce Innovation Centre (NLWIC), is seeking your input.
 
The soft skills gap has become a global workforce challenge, however, the specific skills most in demand varies by region. This study hopes to hone in on the skills and abilities employers in NL are looking for to fulfill their workforce needs, grow their companies, and improve the resilience of the NL workforce to changing labour market demands. This information will be used to design and implement soft skills development training, with immediate labour market needs and future resilience in mind.
 
As a province, we have a lot to gain from this labour market information and exploration of novel approaches to equipping job seekers with the soft skills they need to succeed in the workforce. This will not be possible without your input.
 
Are you an employer or manager, post-secondary instructor or staff member, current college student, or recent graduate of any college in Newfoundland and Labrador? On behalf of Academy Canada, we invite you to have your perspective heard. The survey will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete and will remain open until October 16, 2020.
 
All survey respondents will be eligible to win 1 of 3 $50 Visa gift cards.
 
Any questions or feedback on this project or survey can be directed to:
 
Stephanie Granville
Research Consultant
Academy Canada
709-722-9151
The NL Workforce Innovation Centre partnership with The Conference Board of Canada and Business + Higher Education Roundtable expanding
work-integrated learning in Canada

The Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce Innovation Centre (NLWIC) is excited to continue its partnership with The Conference Board of Canada (CBoC) and Business + Higher Education Roundtable (B+HER), which was launched this summer, as they proceed to roll out their national project to improve and expand work-integrated learning (WIL) in Canada. Click here for more information on the project.

Key outcomes of the project include assessing and supporting the recruitment, training, and future talent needs during our country’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and achieve 100 per cent WIL by 2028.

NLWIC’s role in the partnership is two-fold: to identify and invite employers and post-secondary institution representatives in the province to register for any or all of the seven virtual stakeholder meetings and focus groups scheduled for a national audience this fall; and, to co-convene two of these meetings, specifically Canada’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystems and WIL, and the Digital Technology Sector and WIL.
Using unconventional data to
forecast the job market
Economist Thomas Hindle speaks

Back in March, the Conference Board was trying to measure the toll COVID-19 had taken on Canadian jobs. But what type of data would tell us that story?

Thomas Hindle, from the Conference Board’s Economics team talks about how real-time data can be used to sharpen our focus on Canada’s economic future
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Announces Indigenous Career Pivot Project

In partnership with Ulnooweg, the College of the North Atlantic, Joint Economic Development Initiative and together with our Indigenous Engagement Working Group, Canada's Ocean Supercluster is proud to launch the Indigenous Career Pivot Project.

This is a first-of-its-kind ocean innovation ecosystem project in Canada that is now fully developed and ready to deploy. The project represents a total investment of more than $740,000 of which $550,000 is funded by the Ocean Supercluster.

For more information on the Indigenous Career Pivot Project and/or to apply, click here.
Canadians’ needs for skills training and education are changing quickly.

In response, the Public Policy Forum, the Diversity Institute, and the Future Skills Centre have joined together to publish Skills Next, a series that explores what is working in workplaces, universities, and the labour market – and where workers are falling through the gaps in our skills training system.

Our first set of Skills Next papers was released in January and February of 2020. Each report focuses on one issue — such as the impact of technology in the workplace, gig work, digital skills, and barriers to employment that some marginalized groups experience — and reviews the existing state of knowledge on this topic and identifies areas in need of additional research.
Understanding the strengths, values and skills you have to offer potential employers as a result of the various roles you've played in your career will help you build resilience and adaptability. Candy Ho (何甜茵), Vice-Chair of CERIC Board, spoke in an interview with Ottawa Sun about recent CERIC Pulse Survey and how to build a career mindset.
To Our Readers
 
Thank you, reader, for your continued support during these trying times. If there is something specific you’d like to see from us, email nlwic@nlwic.ca or tag us at @nlwic on Twitter.