This presentation from Mr. Anil Verma from the University of Toronto (Canada) for the 12th meeting of the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Policy Network on Education and Skills shows the importance of looking at both skills supply and demand and how to promote a culture of innovation in firms. It provides examples on successful collaboration between education institutions and employers in Canada.

1. Innovative Approaches to Skill
Formation & Utilization
Anil Verma, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Centre for Industrial Relations & Human Resources &
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
12th Meeting of the OECD Southeast Asian Regional Policy
Network on Education and Skills
30 November 2022

2. Not just
supply,
also
demand..
Innovation
driven
economy
Unleash
Individual
Desire to
Learn

3. Creating Skill-driven Value Chains
Investment in
Economic
Development
Tourism Cluster
[Niagara]
Culinary Arts
Multi-lingual
Customer Service
Agents
Hi-tech Cluster
[Waterloo-Toronto]
Hardware Repair
Software Installation
& Troubleshooting
Animation

4. Role of Universities & Colleges
Niagara College as an Exemplar
❖ Programs pertinent to local industry: viniculture, tourism & hospitality
❖ Local labour market surveys
❖ Internships
❖ Research Projects
❖ Contract research with industry

5. Role of Industry Networks (Non-profits)
Diffuse
Innovations:
Excellence in
Manufacturing
Consortium
Canada
Demonstrate
2
Train
3
Support
4
Legitimate
1

6. First Theorem of the Skilled Jobs Economy
Utilization of enhanced skills depends largely on a
demand for enhanced skills
Demand for enhanced skills depends on
innovation and creativity at the workplace
Workplaces vested in the status quo do not
contribute to demand for enhanced skills
A culture of innovation creates a steady demand
for enhanced skills