The Black population in Canada is expected to exceed 3 million by 2041. Despite growing awareness of the root causes of inequities faced by Black communities, we don’t yet have interventions at scale in the skills ecosystem. In this episode, our guests describe the importance of culturally relevant, targeted programing for supporting Black communities in Canada to thrive in education and employment.Our guests envision a future where gaps in educational attainment and wages between black and non-black individuals are closed, and where anti-Black racism in our classrooms and workplaces is eradicated. They share successful components of workforce development programs, including social capital development, mentorship, socioemotional development, and community involvement.Speaker list- Kofi Hope, CEO and Co-Founder, Monumental- André McDonald, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Associate Vice-President, Strategic Research Initiatives and Performance, University of Alberta- Mohamed Elmi, Executive Director, Diversity Institute- Heather McIntosh, Director, Education and Skills, The Conference Board of Canada (host)

We’ve heard the term “productivity” come up a lot lately. But what does the term really mean? And why does strong productivity matter for leaders, decision makers, and to Canadians at-large? Three experts join us in this episode to help us unpack this concept. They give us an overview of the economic concepts behind productivity, suggest solutions to help boost Canadian productivity, and explain why skills development and innovation are an important part of this conversation.  Speaker listJonathan Barr, Senior Director, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist, The Conference Board of CanadaAnne-Lore Fraikin, Senior Manager, Economic Research, The Conference Board of CanadaHeather McIntosh, Director, Education and Skills, The Conference Board of Canada (host)Links: Skills and Productivity: Which Skills Shortages Are Impacting Canadian Productivity?—August 2024Compétences et productivité : Quelles pénuries de compétences influent sur la productivité canadienne?—Août 2024

The urgency of the climate crisis is undeniable. The transition to a clean economy demands significant changes in skills, occupations, and attitudes. In this episode, we delve into the challenges, opportunities, and strategies associated with developing higher education graduates who are equipped to lead and grow a sustainable economy. Our distinguished guests provide key employer, post-secondary, and international perspectives. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of higher education, employment, and a sustainable future. Speaker listKevin Nilsen, President & CEO, ECO CanadaCharles Hopkins, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education Towards Sustainability, York University Tanzeela Faisal, Research Associate, The Conference Board of CanadaHeather McIntosh, Director, Education and Skills, The Conference Board of Canada (host)LinksToward a More Sustainable Future: Preparing the Students of Today for a Greener Tomorrow (CBoC)

In this episode, we delve into the implications of the AI revolution for teaching and learning within Canada’s post-secondary institutions. Join us as we speak with a researcher, an AI sector leader, and a university Chief AI Officer to uncover how this technology is reshaping education. From real-world applications to ethical considerations, we explore the opportunities and challenges of integrating generative AI tools (like ChatGPT) into the classroom, offering insights for educators, administrators, and policymakers alike.Speaker list- Melissa Judd, Vice-President, Research Operations and Academic Partnerships, Vector Institute- Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer, Western University- Adam Vanzella Yang, Senior Research Associate, The Conference Board of Canada- Heather McIntosh, Director, Education and Skills, The Conference Board of Canada (host)LinksAI and the Future of Post-Secondary Education: Navigating the AI Revolution https://www.conferenceboard.ca/product/navigating-the-ai-revolution/Future Skills Centre Homepage: https://fsc-ccf.ca/Future Skills Centre Twitter: https://twitter.com/fsc_ccf_enThe Conference Board of Canada Homepage: https://www.conferenceboard.ca/The Conference Board of Canada Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConfBoardofCdaThe Conference Board of Canada Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ConferenceBoardofCanada/