Reskilling for Greater Prosperity (Host: PEI)

The global pandemic has resulted in millions of jobs lost, whole industries changed forever, and a workforce and employers who may be struggling to keep up with rapidly evolving skills-requirements and adapting to an increasingly digitized world of work. These factors can create barriers between those looking to hire and job seekers looking to enter, re-enter and/or progress in the workforce of 2021+.

During the pandemic, many employees have been laid-off from jobs in industries, such as retail, leisure and tourism, etc., that will not be rehiring, or will require employees to have a different skill set. Research by McKinsey & Company found that compared to before the pandemic, 25% more workers may need to switch occupations, and Randstad’s Skilling Today survey reported that nearly 70% of HR professionals now ask or require employees to upskill or reskill to meet changing business needs. Yet most companies only offer training opportunities to team leads, managers and/or high-potential employees, leaving others to fend for themselves.

The current rate of upskilling and reskilling would take decades to prepare job seekers to enter the workforce, which by then would have a very different outlook of the future of work. Thus, it is imperative for job seekers and employees to take advantage of opportunities to re-skill and for employers, government, community agencies, and post-secondary institutions to provide those opportunities.

Reskilling for Greater Prosperity dives into the topic of how re-skilling and upskilling initiatives can help employers and communities combat skill gaps for now and years to come. Introduced by Luke Nixon-Janssen, Director, Marketing & Business Development, Magnet and moderated by Chantal Brine, CEO, EnPoint, the event featured panelists:

Wendy McIsaac, Director of Academic Partnerships & Special Projects, Canadian Alliance for Skills & Training in Life Sciences (CASTL)
Judith Dardon, Project Manager, Digital Nova Scotia, & Skills for Hire Atlantic
Bill DeBlois, 1st Vice President, The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce

We encourage you to check out the organizations listed above and watch the recording of the session to form your own opinion on what stands out for you.

Here is our summary of key takeaways from the session:

1. What comes to mind when you think about ‘building future ready communities’?

Workforce Trends & Programs that Respond

“Covid has been a catalyst for transformation.” – Judith Dardon, Digital Nova Scotia & Skills for Hire Atlantic
Many people have needed to change their careers and this has highlighted the importance of reskilling and upskilling, as well as the need to identify and leverage career opportunities.
Digital Nova Scotia Career Programs bridge skills gaps and help participants create industry connections that they can use to kickstart their careers.
Communities are made up of people; having future ready communities means that you need to have future ready people.
The emergence of the pandemic in Canada has highlighted a significant need for creating Canadian-made solutions for the production of vaccines; for example, the last federal budget allocated billions of dollars to the bio pharmaceutical sector. However, it is critical to recognize that while you can build facilities with resources, we need talent to build a sustainable industry for the future.
CASTL was established in April 2020 and in a short period of time has developed and implemented a number of skills development and training programs related to the life science and bio pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors in particular.
- In partnership with Holland college in PEI, CASTL delivers a Reskilling Program which is in its third cohort. The program has been designed, developed, and delivered for adults who are unemployed, under employment, or in mid-career transition.
- The Reskilling Program introduces learners to a variety of topics designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to start a successful career in the bioscience industry.
Covid has accelerated everything; the workforce is rapidly changing as people are reevaluating their careers, objectives, and goals.
- Many individuals started a career because it was what they knew or what their parents did, but years later they realize it was never necessarily their dream job.
- Covid created an opportunity for people to reflect on their career and figure out what are their strengths, what are their passions and what brings them happiness, and align these to a career path.
Reskilling and upskilling initiatives can help employers and communities combat skill gaps by employing tools that will help better equip the workforce for the future.
Building a future ready community means preparation in the present and planning for the future. With every successful community and every successful individual, there’s planning involved to achieve success.
We all bring a lot to our roles and part of that is a personal story and connection to the work that we do. Unique personal experiences matter and have to be given a voice.
- We need to take time to reflect about this from our own perspective, as well as the perspective of the role we play in an organization.

2. What is the most memorable “success story” you’ve experienced when you think about how your organization/group has contributed to ‘building future ready communities’?

In the thick of the pandemic, reskilling programs responded to immediate disruptions in the workforce where individuals were displaced out of careers and industries, such as leisure and hospitality. This is seen even with some of our panelists, who spent years in their industries but then had to pivot careers. In contrast, the already high demand for talent in some industries was further exacerbated by Covid-19. Below are some lessons learned and success stories discussed by our panelists:

Lessons learned

CASTL’s Reskilling Program is a 12-week program that includes 8 weeks of training and 4 weeks of on-the-job training (OJT) placement with large, medium and small employers across the province. The program started with one pilot cohort and is now in their third cohort. By evaluating the pilot, CASTL identified their top lessons learned:

Statistics tell a story and are an important tool in learning how to improve: Evaluate your program from the very beginning so that you can work towards the intended outcome, and understand that changes need to be made based upon that. From the pilot program, CASTL recognized that they did not have requirements in terms of numerical or English literacy, which is essential for a career in the bio science sector. The program’s process was enhanced to include an assessment as a part of the application process, which has worked extremely well.
Relationship building to bridge the gap: CASTL partnered with employers to support hiring opportunities for individuals who are becoming work-ready. The partnership is mutually beneficial because employers know that the program participants will have the skills needed to succeed in the workplace, and that the OJT component will reduce the effort that employees need to make in orientation. Networking events, such as employment speed dating, play an important role in enabling participants to create important industry connections.
Be intentional with how programs are marketed: Market the program to underrepresented populations in the industry such as women, newcomers, etc., in a way that allows people to see themselves in potentially exploring their career. CASTL reached out to a number of organizations in the community that would benefit from the program, including the newcomer associations in PEI. As a result, there are a significant number of newcomers entering the program. What is interesting is that while many newcomer participants are passionate about and have experience in the life science industry, they find it difficult to enter the sector due to challenges with accreditation and credentialing.

Success Stories

A graduate of CASTL’s Reskilling Program said that while he had been in PEI trying to start a career in the life sciences sector, he couldn’t find a way in. However, the program has helped bridge the gap and has allowed him, as well as his family, to stay in the province.
- Creating a sense of security and belonging is a success in and of itself, because communities are made up of individuals who feel that way. A small success for an individual or a family is a success for the community.
Digital Nova Scotia’s Get into IT program is designed to support learners who have traditionally faced barriers entering Nova Scotia’s tech sector. The program is free for training and upskilling underrepresented persons in the IT sector, such as Indigenous Persons, Black Nova Scotians, persons of African Descent, racially visible individuals, persons with disabilities, immigrants, and women.
- Intentionally building programs with the idea of inclusive participation and access is vital in order to build a future of work for all.
Skills For Hire Atlantic is a digital skills and career-building training program designed to help fill the need for qualified entry-level talent in the tech sector across Atlantic Canada. Over the course of three years, the program will train 1,500 people via 100% virtual programming. The program is based on hiring needs identified through industry consultations and labour market data. The program will support individuals who want to upskill and reskill, and want to find meaningful job opportunities in the tech sector.
We need to make sure that part of how we define successful future communities is by ensuring that all people feel welcome.
- E.g. newcomers to the province and to Canada bring unique talents, skills and experiences. Buns and Things Bakery in Charlottetown has seen success in hiring new immigrants, especially those pursuing a career that they are passionate about in baking!

3. In your view, what do you see as the primary role that each of us has to play in building future ready communities?

Building a sense of community for all

We all have a role to play in that we need to be there to support and help each other prepare for the future. We need to be open minded and ready to take the chance to give people an opportunity to grow.
When someone feels comfortable, successful, and a part of the community, they are more likely to stay and make it their home.
- Being able to network and meet other people in the same industry or similar situation creates a feeling of belonging.
Networking is fundamental not only for people who come from other countries, but also for those who are exploring a new sector, reskilling or upskilling; it’s building communities to connect and get connected.
- Programs like PEI Connectors – Advancing Career Connections helps participants expand their professional networks and get closer to achieving their career goals in PEI. This speed networking event engages twelve employers from across PEI who are available for 15-minute networking sessions with ACC attendees.
As an individual and as an organization, take the time to reflect and ask yourself the bigger questions, “Why are we doing it?” and “What is the result we are trying to achieve?” Ask yourself “Why?” five times and you will be astounded at what you find.
“Think about the people part of all the process parts that need to be done.” – Wendy McIsaac, CASTL
The process piece is critically important for planning, but work gets done through people.
- When you are doing work in skill building or talent development, the biggest tool that you have is your own people who are getting the programs off the ground.

Building the confidence to pursue your passions

Future Skills Center Summit referenced the fact that a recent survey found that 45% of respondents did not meet foundational skills requirements.
- While tech skills are important, soft skills are needed to effectively apply technical skills in the workplace and build meaningful relationships within the organization as well as externally.
- “You can have all the technical skills but if you don’t have the confidence there’s something missing.” – Judith Dardon, Digital Nova Scotia & Skills for Hire Atlantic
From a career building perspective, it is important to provide technical as well as soft skill building.
- A Get into IT participant who was previously unable to find job opportunities, managed to secure a job in Cyber Security with his newly learned tech skills.
- Another Get into IT participant didn’t think she had confidence exploring the digital sector; she had always had the passion but she didn’t have the supports in place for her to pursue her career. The program provided the professional development component she needed to build her self-confidence and thrive in the tech sector by providing resume and cover letter building, interviewing skills development, networking opportunities, and career advice panels.
It’s critical for those responsible for the delivery of programs and those who are supporting people moving through their career to address the confidence gap.
Mentorship and confidence go hand in hand; mentorship is a powerful tool to help individuals develop their self-esteem and self-efficacy, and build the foundations of their career.

4. BONUS Audience Question: From the perspective of someone considering reskilling and/or switching career paths, is there any advice that you would give to help them find the right program for them?

Identify your strengths and your joys, and then pursue something that you’ve always wanted to do. We spend more hours at work than we do anywhere else, so it is important to find what motivates you.
If you’re trying to figure out what you really want to do in life, take the top three things that you like; take number one and keep that for yourself, take number two or three and make a career out of it. Then your career will be something that you enjoy and will bring you happiness.
Have confidence and don’t be afraid. COVID-19 has presented an opportunity to connect your passion with your career and there are people and programs who can help you.
“Sometimes the thing you’re looking for is the thing you don’t even know, until you know it.” – Wendy McIsaac, CASTL
- Reach out to people in the industry and in the community. Most people are excited to talk about what they do; ask questions to learn how to enter the industry and to find out about skill building programs.
- There are all kinds of groups and career development services that you can connect with.
Research is fundamental; many sectors have skills development programs that have been started due to Covid-19, you just need to take the initiative to find them.

5. What are some resources, books, Ted Talks, or podcasts, that have been instrumental in shaping your view on the future of work?

Closing Remarks

The underlying themes discussed by our panelists were having passion for what you do, connecting with your community, making the most out of networking and mentorship opportunities, and recognizing the importance of confidence to help you navigate your career.

Your community is an ecosystem of support; the organizations, associations, chambers, and entrepreneurs are there to help all who are looking to reskill, upskill, or pivot their careers. You don’t know what you don’t know, but your community can show you a path that is available that you might not quite see yet because you are still in transition or building your confidence. We all play a role in preparing for and building a future of work where everyone can prosper together and pay forward the support we receive.

Guiding discussion questions:

What steps have your organization and/or program/ initiative(s) taken to create opportunities and ensure that everyone can participate in the future world of work?
What benchmarks, success stories and/or resources discussed by the panelists can you adapt/apply to your organization and/or community?
What is one thing your organization is continuously iterating on to adopt or advance your use of technology?
Why are you doing what you do? What results are you trying to achieve for yourself, your organization, and your community?

About the panelists:

Wendy McIsaac, Program Director, Canadian Alliance for Skills & Training in Life Sciences (CASTL)

Wendy McIsaac is passionate about people, education, public policy, and lifelong learning. During her career, she has worked in the not-for-profit, public, and education sectors in varying roles including Public School Teacher, Adult Educator, Human Resources Manager, Senior Policy Advisor, Client Services Director, and Chief Administrative Officer. Wendy has demonstrated success in leading initiatives in education, strategic planning, human resource management, public policy development, legislative implementation, and governance. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Studies, a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in English from the University of Western Ontario and a bachelor’s degree in Education from St. Mary’s University. Wendy is also an avid baker and emerging writer. Her writing has been featured on CBC and in various literary journals. She also proudly represented PEI on season two of CBC TV’s “Great Canadian Baking Show” after being chosen as one of Canada’s top ten self-taught bakers.

Canadian Alliance for Skills & Training in Life Sciences (CASTL)

The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) provides world-class technical skills development and training in life sciences specializing in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. An initiative of the Prince Edward Island BioAlliance, it is a unique partnership between academia, industry, and government to address the future skills needs of Canada’s fast-growing bioscience sector.

CASTL delivers on the economic demand for individuals who are work-ready to enter, thrive and meet the needs of the Canadian bioscience industry. CASTL offers multiple applied learning streams and pathways for individuals to acquire the hands-on technical training, theoretical knowledge, and professional skills to have a successful career in life sciences.

Judith Dardon, CITP®|FIBP®, Project Manager, Digital Nova Scotia, & Skills for Hire Atlantic

In addition to her formal education in business administration, Judith brings over twelve years’ experience in project and event management, with seven years experience focused on the philanthropic and non-profit industries. As a Project Manager for Digital Nova Scotia, Judith manages two career-building programs designed to support the demand for talent in our province. She is responsible for the developing, planning and implementation of these online programs for upskilling and training participants who are looking to build a career within the digital workforce for entry level positions.

Get Into IT is designed to support those who have traditionally faced barriers entering the tech sector in Nova Scotia. It provides digital training and professional tools for upskilling learners from underrepresented communities in tech. Building off the success of the Skills for Hire program, Skills for Hire Atlantic will expand its virtual programs across the four Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. It will train 1500 participants over the course of three years.

Judith has managed an Energy Innovation Project in support of the Paris Agreement mandate, helping indigenous communities to create and execute clean energy missions. She has been involved with trade missions and has managed matchmaking, logistics, and organization for trade missions in-bound and to South East Asia, the Caribbean, EU, and Greenland. Judith was born in Mexico and raised in a family that valued diversity, culture and world travel. She has been proud to call Nova Scotia home for over twenty-two years.

Digital Nova Scotia

Digital Nova Scotia’s mission is to foster the growth of the digital economy in Nova Scotia. Their programs, events, and opportunities enable them to connect their digital community and proudly promote its successes. Through skills development, capacity building, industry events, strong partnerships and the promotion of IT opportunities, they are supporting their sector as it continues to grow, evolve and thrive.

Digital Nova Scotia is a membership-driven organization. Their members range from startups and SME’s to large multinational corporations, universities and colleges, government, and non-profits. They pride themselves on connections. Connecting industry leaders through networking events and roundtable discussions, connecting industry with talent through our opportunities portal, and connecting with national organizations to increase the profile of our sector and province.

Bill DeBlois, 1st Vice President, The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce

Bill is the current owner and operator of Buns and Things Bakery in Charlottetown, PEI. He attended Business Administration: Automotive Marketing program at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario before completing his Bachelor of Business degree at the University of Western Sydney in Australia in 2004.

Over the course of his professional career he has worked in the automotive industry from the dealership level to corporate finance with Mercedes Benz Financial before settling back into the private sector working for a collector car dealer, Legendary Motorcar, buying and selling specialty cars. In 2014, Bill along with his wife Michelle made the decision to move back to Prince Edward Island where he got involved in the family business, Buns and Things Bakery, which has been family owned/operated since 1987 and completing the purchase of the business in 2017. It was also when he joined the Board of Directors with the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and is currently serving on the Executive Committee as 1st Vice President.

Buns and Things Bakery is a locally owned and operated bakery and deli which has been owned by the DeBlois Family since 1987. Specializing in fresh made products 7 days a week, Buns and Things is a busy retail store while also providing wholesale products to local restaurants. In 2020 the decision was made to expand the business to include a stand alone cake and specialty treats store, Cakes by Buns and Things. Employs approx 30-35 employees year round in roles ranging from retail sales, bakers, decorators, packagers, delivery drivers and part time students.

The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) is proud to be Prince Edward Island’s largest business advocacy organization committed to supporting and connecting our business members.

Today, their diverse network of businesses represents almost every industry sector and business profession. With more than 1,100 business members, and their more than 20,000+ employees, the Chamber’s united voice draws attention to local business needs. They know there are real issues affecting your business and our communities!