Future Skills Centre

Canadians need to prepare for a changing labour market. The Future Skills Centre—Centre des Compétences futures (FSC–CCF) will help them transition and adapt to new jobs. Funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Program, the Future Skills Centre is a partnership between Blueprint, Toronto Metropolitan University, and Signal49 Research.

As part of our commitment to the Future Skills Centre, Signal49 Research will research future skills needs, lead knowledge mobilization and convening activities, and facilitate the exchange of ideas by developing a pan-Canadian stakeholder network.

Latest Research

Self-Employment for Neurodivergent Canadians

Education & Skills January 28, 2026

Neurodivergent Canadians continue to face barriers to traditional employment. This leaves valuable skills underused in the labour market. As Canada grapples with critical skills gaps and strives to enhance productivity and prosperity, neurodivergent underemployment represents a missed opportunity to tap into a diverse and skilled talent pool.

Impact paper • 18-min read

Supporting Inclusive Work-Integrated Learning

Education & Skills January 7, 2026

In this resource for employers, we suggest a number of ways to include and support neurodivergent post-secondary students in work placements, building on our previously published research on neurodiversity in higher education and employment.

Issue briefing • 11-min read

Workforce Prep for Neurodivergent Students

Education & Skills January 7, 2026

As a neurodivergent student, you bring unique strengths, perspectives, and skills to your studies and future career. But you may also face extra challenges when preparing for work-integrated learning, co-ops, internships, or your first job after graduation.

Issue briefing • 3-min read

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See Where Your Skills Can Take You

In our latest report, discover how OpportuNext can be practically applied by career development professionals to support students and job seekers make informed career decisions. Download the PDF now to learn more about this essential tool.

Download PDF

Listening to You

We recently heard from Canadians across the country on how the Future Skills Centre can best meet your region’s priorities.

Signal49 Research organized the Regional Sounding Tour and the Virtual Regional Sounding Tour as part of the Future Skills Centre’s strategic roundtable events. By listening to Canadians in the skills and training community, we gained valuable insights into the skills that will be needed tomorrow.

Find out more about the top issues facing Canadians.

Virtual Regional Sounding Tour

For details about our 2019 Regional Sounding Tour.

Regional Sounding Tour

Former Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

The world of work is changing and Canadians need to be equipped to seize the opportunities this presents. Future Skills is part of the Government’s plan to build an agile workforce that can find and keep good, well-paying jobs, and strengthen the middle class so that everyone has a fair chance at success—today and tomorrow.

The Honourable Patty Hajdu

President and Vice-chancellor, Toronto Metropolitan University

As Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education, Toronto Metropolitan University is proud to lead the consortium for this important federal government initiative. With expertise in multidisciplinary, large-scale research and evaluation projects, TMU is a community builder that convenes academics, governments, non-profits, and industry to better understand and promote diversity, entrepreneurship, and employment. TMU is well-positioned to help prepare all Canadians for emerging opportunities today and beyond.

Mohamed Lachemi

Chief Executive Officer, Signal49 Research

Signal49 Research is pleased to be at the centre of this exciting and important federal initiative for workforce development and the future of work. We will be undertaking new research and convening initiatives with a keen focus on offering innovative ideas on what we can do as a Country to keep pace with new technologies and the rapidly changing nature of work.

Susan Black

President and CEO, Blueprint

Blueprint is delighted to be a partner in this ground-breaking initiative. Our expertise in skills development and extensive experience executing complex research and evaluation projects will allow us to confidently lead the FSC/CCF evidence generation strategy. Working together, we will build a culture of evidence-informed decision-making that will strengthen our skills development ecosystem and improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities across Canada.

Karen Myers

Vice President, Signal49 Research

Our work with FSC has led to significant breakthroughs in our understanding of key questions. This includes identifying who faces the most automation risks and how we can help them transition into new roles, identifying and quantifying key skills gaps, and highlighting the potential of blended market and land-based economies in Canada’s far north.

Michael Burt

In Partnership With