The Future Skills Podcast

Episod

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  S6 Ep. 06: Inclusion and Workforce Innovation: Advancing Equity and Opportunity 23.09.2026 35min

  In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, we focus on inclusion in the workplace, examining the persistent barriers faced by underrepresented groups and the innovative approaches helping to build more equitable career pathways. Host Jeremy Strachan is joined by Golnaz Golnaraghi, founder of Accelerate Her Future, who shares insights from a recent Future Skills Centre study on the systemic challenges racialized and Indigenous women encounter in advancing to leadership roles, and what organ...
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  S6 Ep. 05 (Bonus): Supporting Indigenous Community Health Workers: Lessons from Ontario and Alaska 31.08.2026 30min

  In this bonus episode of the Future Skills Podcast, we explore the critical role Indigenous community health workers play in supporting health and well-being in rural, remote, and northern communities. Guest host Bethany Haalboom is joined by Janet Gordon and Madison Pierce of the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, along with Dr. Michelle Hensel of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, to discuss how community-based health workers help bridge gaps in care, provide culturally ...
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  S6 Ep. 04: Building Canada’s AI Advantage 31.07.2026 33min

  In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, we explore what it will take for Canada to build and sustain a competitive edge in artificial intelligence. Host Jeremy Strachan speaks with three experts who each bring a different perspective on the opportunities and risks shaping Canada’s AI future. We begin with Aaron Rodericks, Head of Trust and Security at Bluesky, who offers a candid assessment of the global AI race—highlighting Canada’s position relative to major players, the realities of ...
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  S6 Ep. 03: The Care Economy 30.06.2026 31min

  In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, we turn to the care economy—one of Canada's most essential yet complex labour market sectors. Host Jeremy Strachan is joined by Anita Khanna, Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy at United Way Centraide, who explains why care work—from long-term care to community services—operates differently from other sectors, facing persistent challenges with worker retention, job quality, and wage disparities. We then hear from Tyler Downey...
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  S6 Ep. 02: A Workforce to Build Big 29.05.2026 32min

  In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, we focus on Canada’s big build moment—when major infrastructure, industrial expansion, and nation‑building projects are converging with profound workforce pressures. Host Jeremy Strachan is joined by former Ontario Minister of Labour and Infrastructure Monte McNaughton to explore why apprenticeships, early pathways into the skilled trades, and labour mobility are essential as retirements accelerate and demand surges. We then hear from Mike Gordon,...
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  S6 Ep. 01: A Future Built on Skills 30.04.2026 32min

  In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, we tee up the new season by diving into Canada’s hinge moment for talent, productivity, and resilience by revisiting some of the key themes from A Future Built on Skills. This one-day hybrid event from October 2025 brought together thought leaders in skills, training and workforce development. We’re joined by the Future Skills Centre’s Noel Baldwin in conversation with the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, exploring an all‑han...
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  Special - Name Change 26.01.2026

  This is Jeremy Strachan, your host of the Future Skills Podcast, brought to you by the Future Skills Centre. You may have noticed that The Conference Board of Canada's changed it's name. We’re now Signal49 Research. This new name reflects a guiding signal in times of uncertainty; a dependable beacon that leaders can rely on to navigate complexity. Inspired by Signal Hill in Newfoundland and Labrador, and with a nod to Canada and the 49th parallel, it embraces the spirit of innovation and anch...
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  S5 Ep. 05 - Learning from One Another: Skills, Training, and Workforce Development in Northern Communities 17.09.2025 26min

  In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, host Jeremy Strachan explores the complex and evolving landscape of skills development and workforce training in Northern and Indigenous communities. Amanda Thompson from Signal49 Research shares insights from the Learning from One Another project, a multi-year initiative examining labour market trends and training strategies across Yukon, Nunavut, and Northern Ontario. We also hear from Kris Mullaly of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, who discuss...
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  S5 Ep. 04 - Pathways to Self-Employment for Neurodivergent Canadians 13.08.2025 30min

  In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, host Jeremy Strachan explores how self-employment and entrepreneurship can serve as powerful pathways for neurodivergent Canadians to thrive in the workforce. Jennifer Fane from Signal49 Research discusses her Future Skills Centre-funded research on barriers facing neurodivergent entrepreneurs and the need for tailored support programs; Wanda Deschamps, founder of Liberty Co. and openly autistic entrepreneur, shares her perspective on shifting the...
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  S5 Ep. 03: AI in the Workplace and the Skills that Matter Most 16.07.2025 28min

  In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, host Jeremy Strachan explores the transformative world of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the Canadian workforce. With insights from experts Noel Baldwin, Stephanie Enders, and Mark Patterson, we hear how Future Skills Centre research is helping us better understand the way AI is reshaping job markets, skills development, and employment strategies. The conversation tackles critical challenges like AI literacy, ethical considerations, and...
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  S5 Ep. 02: Leveraging the Skills of Newcomers 18.06.2025 29min

  In this episode of the Future Skills Podcast, host Jeremy Strachan dives into the critical topic of leveraging the skills of newcomers to Canada and its impact on economic and social success. Joined by Tricia Williams from the Future Skills Centre, Sharon McLennon from the Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce Innovation Centre, and Shamira Madhany from World Education Services, the discussion explores how Future Skills Centre-funded initiatives have shed light on newcomer retention and workfor...
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  S5 Ep. 01 - What Quality of Work Means in a Changing Labour Market 21.05.2025 25min

  What defines quality of work in today’s economy? In this episode, host Jeremy Strachan speaks with Laura McDonough from the Future Skills Centre and Dr. Olga Morawczynski from Heal-3 to explore how wages, job security, mental health, and workplace culture impact our experience at work. They discuss how research from the Future Skills Centre has shed insights on the evolving expectations of workers, the role of leadership in job satisfaction, and how benefits and training can shape long-term c...
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  S4 Ep. 07: Labour Market Data & Disruption—Insights from FSC @ Cannexus25 12.02.2025 13min

  In this special live mini episode of the Future Skills Podcast, recorded at Cannexus25 in Ottawa, host Jeremy Strachan explores how labour market information (LMI) is shaping career development, workforce planning, and skills training in a time of rapid change. Featuring insights from Jason Dennison (Fleming College), Tony Bonen (Signal49 Research), and Tricia Williams (Future Skills Centre), the discussion unpacks how data-driven decision-making can help job seekers, educators, and policymak...
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  S4 Ep. 06: Neurodivergent student experiences in post-secondary education 05.02.2025 11min

  In this mini episode of the Future Skills Podcast, Jeremy Strachan speaks with Dr. Jennifer Fane, Lead Research Associate at Signal49 Research, about her recent study on neurodiversity in Canadian post-secondary education. The research, conducted in partnership with the Future Skills Centre, explores key findings from the report Creating Inclusive Campuses: Neuroinclusive Policies and Practices in Post-secondary Education. The discussion highlights the challenges neurodivergent students face,...
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  S4 Ep. 05: Insights from Magnet Network Live 04.12.2024 27min

  In this bonus episode of the Future Skills Podcast, new host Jeremy Strachan dives into highlights from the Magnet Network Live event held in Toronto in October 2024, where leaders gathered to address Canada’s talent, training, and skills challenges. The episode features insights on AI, productivity, and Canada’s “12/21 problem,” where outdated learning models fall short in a 21st-century workforce. Key discussions focus on the need for risk-taking in business, the importance of social...
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  S4 Ep. 04: Empowering Futures: Supporting Black Talent in the Canadian Labour Market 19.09.2024 43min

  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...
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  S4 Ep. 03: Canada’s Productivity Puzzle: The Skills Connection 15.08.2024 33min

  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...
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  S4 Ep. 02: Educating for Sustainability—Green Skills in Canada 18.07.2024 31min

  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 o...
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  S4 Ep. 01: Educational AI—Unlocking Potential in Post-Secondary Institutions 20.06.2024 37min

  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, admin...
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  S3 Ep. 05: Indigenous Youth Entering the Labour Market 27.09.2023 28min

  350,000 Indigenous youth are set to come of age by 2026, offering unique contributions as they enter the workforce. Discover the multifaceted impacts of Indigenous youth on the labour market as two distinguished experts delve into this topic. In this episode, they explore the challenges, opportunities, and incredible value that Indigenous youth bring to the modern job market and how companies can advance inclusive environments that honor and integrate Indigenous traditions, thereby empowering...